1
|
Hessami A, Mogharari Z, Rahim F, Khalesi B, Jamal Nassrullah O, Reza Rahbar M, Khalili S, Jahangiri A. In silico design of a novel hybrid epitope-based antigen harboring highly exposed immunogenic peptides of BamA, OmpA, and Omp34 against Acinetobacter baumannii. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 142:113066. [PMID: 39241518 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113066] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii, is among the highest priority bacteria according to the WHO categorization which necessitate the exploration of alternative strategies such as vaccination. OmpA, BamA, and Omp34 are assigned as appropriate antigens to serve in vaccine development against this pathogen. Experimentally validated exposed epitopes of OmpA and Omp34 along with selected exposed epitopes predicted by an integrative in silico approach were represented by the barrel domain of BamA as a scaffold. Among the 8 external loops of BamA, 5 loops were replaced with selected loops of OmpA and Omp34. The designed antigen was analyzed regarding the physicochemical properties, antigenicity, epitope retrieval, topology, structure, and safety. BamA is a two-domain OMP with a 16-stranded barrel in which L4, L6, and L7 were the longest loops of BamA in order. The designed antigen consisted of 478 amino acids with antigen probability of 0.7793. The novel antigen was a 16-stranded barrel. No identical 8-meric peptides were found in the human proteome against the designed antigen sequence. The designed construct was safe regarding the allergenicity, toxicity, and human proteome reactivity. The designed antigen could develop higher protection against A. baumannii in comparison to either OmpA, BamA, or Omp34 alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Hessami
- School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Rahim
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares, P.O. Box: 14115-154, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Khalesi
- Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Rahbar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Jahangiri
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bian X, Li M, Liu X, Zhu Y, Li J, Bergen PJ, Li W, Li X, Feng M, Zhang J. Transcriptomic investigations of polymyxins and colistin/sulbactam combination against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2595-2605. [PMID: 39006922 PMCID: PMC11245955 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a Priority 1 (Critical) pathogen urgently requiring new antibiotics. Polymyxins are a last-line option against CRAB-associated infections. This transcriptomic study utilized a CRAB strain to investigate mechanisms of bacterial killing with polymyxin B, colistin, colistin B, and colistin/sulbactam combination therapy. After 4 h of 2 mg/L polymyxin monotherapy, all polymyxins exhibited common transcriptomic responses which primarily involved disruption to amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. Of the three monotherapies, polymyxin B induced the greatest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including for genes involved with fatty acid metabolism. Gene disturbances with colistin and colistin B were highly similar (89 % common genes for colistin B), though effects on gene expression were generally lower (0-1.5-fold in most cases) with colistin B. Colistin alone (2 mg/L) or combined with sulbactam (64 mg/L) resulted in rapid membrane disruption as early as 1 h. Transcriptomic analysis of this combination revealed that the effects were driven by colistin, which included disturbances in fatty acid synthesis and catabolism, and inhibition of nutrient uptake. Combination therapy produced substantially higher fold changes in 72 % of DEGs shared with monotherapy, leading to substantially greater reductions in fatty acid biosynthesis and increases in biofilm, cell wall, and phospholipid synthesis. This indicates synergistic bacterial killing with the colistin/sulbactam combination results from a systematic increase in perturbation of many genes associated with bacterial metabolism. These mechanistic insights enhance our understanding of bacterial responses to polymyxin mono- and combination therapy and will assist to optimize polymyxin use in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Bian
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commission & National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of biological medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyao Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofen Liu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commission & National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Jian Li
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Phillip J Bergen
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wanzhen Li
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commission & National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Li
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commission & National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiqing Feng
- Department of biological medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commission & National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Pharmacology Research Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yuan L, Wu S, Tian K, Wang S, Wu H, Qiao J. Nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides: synthesis strategies and applications. Food Funct 2024; 15:9662-9677. [PMID: 39246095 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo05619h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Small pentacyclic peptides, represented by nisin, have been successfully utilized as preservatives in the food industry and have evolved into a paradigm for understanding the genetic structure, expression, and control of genes created by lantibiotics. Due to the ever-increasing antibiotic resistance, nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides have received much attention, which calls for a summarization of their synthesis, modification and applications. In this review, we first provided a timeline of select highlights in nisin biosynthesis and engineering. Then, we outlined the current developments in nisin synthesis. We also provided an overview of the engineering, screening, and production of nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides based on enzyme alteration, substrate modification, and sequence mining. Furthermore, an updated summary of applications of nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides has been developed for food applications. Finally, this study offers insights into emerging technologies, limitations and the future development of nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides for pathogen inhibition, food preservatives, and improved health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yuan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shengbo Wu
- Zhejiang Research Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing, 312300, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Kairen Tian
- Zhejiang Research Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing, 312300, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shengli Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Zhejiang Research Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing, 312300, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jianjun Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Zhejiang Research Institute of Tianjin University (Shaoxing), Shaoxing, 312300, China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sharma S, Tiwari V. Polyvinylpyrrolidone capped silver nanoparticles enhance the autophagic clearance of Acinetobacter baumannii from human pulmonary cells. DISCOVER NANO 2024; 19:154. [PMID: 39313578 PMCID: PMC11420407 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-024-04107-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen has shown an upsurge in its multi-drug resistant isolates. OmpA of A. baumannii induces incomplete autophagy and apoptosis in host cells. Various therapeutic alternatives are under investigation against A. baumannii. Here, the major emphasis has been laid on comparing the efficacy of AgNP with different capping agents. OmpA targeted lead, Ivermectin capped AgNP (IVM-AgNP) has been compared with the antibacterial polyvinylpyrrolidone capped AgNP (PVP-AgNP) for their role in the modulations of host autophagy. Upregulation of p62 and LC3B confirmed by real-time PCR analysis indicated an increased autophagic flux upon the treatment with AgNPs. The elongation and closure of autophagic vacuoles was also supported by upregulated Atg genes (Atg4, Atg3, Atg5) in A. baumannii infected cells after treatment with AgNP. Autophagic flux increased on treatment with PVP-AgNP as suggested by the rise in mcherryLC3B fluorescence in A549 cells treated with PVP-AgNP as compared to the GFP-LC3B of IVM-AgNP. This suggests that PVP-AgNP treatment more effectively promotes the elongation and maturation stages of autophagy by increasing autophagic flux. These results indicate that capped AgNPs have the efficiency to revert the incomplete autophagy induced by A. baumannii back to normal autophagic levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saroj Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, 305817, India
| | - Vishvanath Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, 305817, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pumirat P, Santajit S, Tunyong W, Kong-Ngoen T, Tandhavanant S, Lohitthai S, Rungruengkitkun A, Chantratita N, Ampawong S, Reamtong O, Indrawattana N. Impact of AbaI mutation on virulence, biofilm development, and antibiotic susceptibility in Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2024; 14:21521. [PMID: 39277662 PMCID: PMC11401864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-72740-1] [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: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The quorum sensing (QS) system mediated by the abaI gene in Acinetobacter baumannii is crucial for various physiological and pathogenic processes. In this study, we constructed a stable markerless abaI knockout mutant (ΔabaI) strain using a pEXKm5-based allele replacement method to investigate the impact of abaI on A. baumannii. Proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations in protein expression between the wild type (WT) and ΔabaI mutant strains, particularly in proteins associated with membrane structure, antibiotic resistance, and virulence. Notably, the downregulation of key outer membrane proteins such as SurA, OmpA, OmpW, and BamA suggests potential vulnerabilities in outer membrane integrity, which correlate with structural abnormalities in the ΔabaI mutant strain, including irregular cell shapes and compromised membrane integrity, observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, diminished expression of regulatory proteins such as OmpR and GacA-GacS highlights the broader regulatory networks affected by abaI deletion. Functional assays revealed impaired biofilm formation and surface-associated motility in the mutant strain, indicative of altered colonization capabilities. Interestingly, the mutant showed a complex antibiotic susceptibility profile. While it demonstrated increased susceptibility to membrane-targeting antibiotics, its response to beta-lactams was more nuanced. Despite increased expression of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) superfamily proteins and DcaP-like protein, the mutant unexpectedly showed lower MICs for carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem) compared to the wild-type strain. This suggests that abaI deletion affects antibiotic susceptibility through multiple, potentially competing mechanisms. Further investigation is needed to fully elucidate the interplay between quorum sensing, antibiotic resistance genes, and overall antibiotic susceptibility in A. baumannii. Our findings underscore the multifaceted role of the abaI gene in modulating various cellular processes and highlight its significance in A. baumannii physiology, pathogenesis, and antibiotic resistance. Targeting the abaI QS system may offer novel therapeutic strategies for this clinically significant pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pornpan Pumirat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirijan Santajit
- Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Witawat Tunyong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thida Kong-Ngoen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sarunporn Tandhavanant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Bacteriology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sanisa Lohitthai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Narisara Chantratita
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sumate Ampawong
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Tropical Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nitaya Indrawattana
- Biomedical Research Incubator Unit, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Department of Research, Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abid R, Khan M, Siddique N, Khan SW, Khan RU, Zahoor M, Ullah R, Alotaibi A. Novel chiral phthalimides: Antimicrobial evaluation and docking study against Acinetobacter baumannii's OmpA protein. Comput Biol Med 2024; 182:109099. [PMID: 39265475 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.109099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics have been a vital component in the fight against microbial diseases for over 75 years, saving countless lives. However, the global rise of multi-drug-resistance (MDR) bacterial infections is pushing us closer to a post-antibiotic era where common infections may once again become lethal. To combat MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, we investigated chiral phthalimides and used molecular docking to identify potential targets. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is crucial for A. baumannii resistant to antibiotics, making it a pathogen of great concern due to its high mortality rate and limited treatment options. In this study, we evaluated three distinct compounds against the OmpA protein: FIA (2-(1,3-dioxoindolin-2yl)-3-phenylpropanoic acid), FIC (2-(1,3-dioxoindolin-2yl)-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid), and FII (3-(1,3-dioxoindolin-2yl)-3-phenylpropanoic acid). Molecular docking results showed that these three compounds exhibited strong interactions with the OmpA protein. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis further confirmed the stability and binding efficacy of these compounds with OmpA. Their antimicrobial activities were assessed using the agar well diffusion method, revealing that FIA had an optimal zone of inhibition of 24 mm. Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these compounds were determined, demonstrating their bactericidal properties against A. baumannii, with MICs of 11 μg/μL for FIA, 46 μg/μL for FIC, and 375 μg/μL for FII. In vitro cytotoxicity data indicated that none of the three compounds were hemolytic when exposed to human red blood cells. This finding is particularly significant as it highlights the superior efficacy of FIA against A. baumannii compared to the other compounds. With thorough pharmacokinetic validations, these chiral phthalimides are promising alternative therapeutic options for treating infections caused by A. baumannii, offering new hope in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rimsha Abid
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
| | - Momin Khan
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
| | - Nayyer Siddique
- Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
| | - Sher Wali Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Rawalpindi Women University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
| | - Rahat Ullah Khan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China; College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Muhammad Zahoor
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara, 18800, Pakistan.
| | - Riaz Ullah
- Medicinal Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Amal Alotaibi
- Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cottom CO, Stephenson R, Ricci D, Yang L, Gumbart JC, Noinaj N. Structural characterization of the POTRA domains from A. baumannii reveals new conformations in BamA. Structure 2024:S0969-2126(24)00330-7. [PMID: 39293443 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.08.013] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated BamA, the central component of the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM), as an important therapeutic target to combat infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and other Gram-negative pathogens. Homology modeling indicates BamA in A. baumannii consists of five polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) domains and a β-barrel membrane domain. We characterized the POTRA domains of BamA from A. baumannii in solution using size-exclusion chromatography small angle X-ray scattering (SEC-SAXS) analysis and determined crystal structures in two conformational states that are drastically different than those previously observed in BamA from other bacteria, indicating that the POTRA domains are even more conformationally dynamic than has been observed previously. Molecular dynamics simulations of the POTRA domains from A. baumannii and Escherichia coli allowed us to identify key structural features that contribute to the observed novel states. Together, these studies expand on our current understanding of the conformational plasticity within BamA across differing bacterial species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Stephenson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Dante Ricci
- Achaogen, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lixinhao Yang
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James C Gumbart
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA; School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicholas Noinaj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Markey Center for Structural Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wu C, Yuan Y, Tang S, Liu C, He C. Clinical and microbiological features of a cohort of patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:1721-1730. [PMID: 39023632 PMCID: PMC11349859 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04881-0] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acinetobacter baumannii is emerging as a pathogen that is a focus of global concern due to the frequent occurrence of the strains those are extensively resistant to antibiotics. This study was aimed to analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics of a cohort of patients with A. baumannii bloodstream infections (BSIs) in western China. METHODS A retrospective study of the patients at West China Hospital of Sichuan University with A. baumannii BSIs between Jan, 2018 and May, 2023 was conducted. Antimicrobial susceptibility of A. baumannii isolates was tested by microdilution broth method. Whole-genome sequencing and genetic analysis were also performed for these isolates. RESULTS Among the 117 patients included, longer intensive care unit stay, higher mortality, and more frequent invasive procedures and use of more than 3 classes of antibiotics were observed among the carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB)-infected group (n = 76), compared to the carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB)-infected group (n = 41, all P ≤ 0.001). Twenty-four sequence types (STs) were determined for the 117 isolates, and 98.7% (75/76) of CRAB were identified as ST2. Compared to non-ST2 isolates, ST2 isolates exhibited higher antibiotic resistance, and carried more resistance and virulence genes (P < 0.05). In addition, 80 (68.4%) isolates were CRISPR-positive, showed higher antibiotic susceptibility, and harbored less resistance and virulence genes, in comparison to CRISPR-negative ones (P < 0.05). Phylogenetic clustering based on coregenome SNPs indicated a sporadic occurrence of clonal transmission. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate a high frequency of ST2 among A. baumannii causing BSIs, and high antibiotic susceptibility of non-ST2 and CRISPR-positive isolates. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of this pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yu Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Sishi Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Chao He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Scribano D, Cheri E, Pompilio A, Di Bonaventura G, Belli M, Cristina M, Sansone L, Zagaglia C, Sarshar M, Palamara AT, Ambrosi C. Acinetobacter baumannii OmpA-like porins: functional characterization of bacterial physiology, antibiotic-resistance, and virulence. Commun Biol 2024; 7:948. [PMID: 39107399 PMCID: PMC11303520 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06645-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical opportunistic pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. The high rates of antibiotic-resistance acquisition make most antibiotics ineffective. Thus, new medical countermeasures are urgently needed. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are prime candidates for developing novel drug targets and antibacterial strategies. However, there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of A. baumannii OMPs. This study reports the impact of OmpA-like protein on bacterial physiology and virulence in A. baumannii strain AB5075. We found that PsaB (ABUW_0505) negatively correlates to stress tolerance, while ArfA (ABUW_2730) significantly affects bacterial stiffness, cell shape, and cell envelope thickness. Furthermore, we expand our knowledge on YiaD (ABUW_3045), demonstrating structural and virulence roles of this porin, in addition to meropenem resistance. This study provides solid foundations for understanding how uncharacterized OMPs contribute to A. baumannii's physiological and pathological processes, aiding the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against A. baumannii infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Scribano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Cheri
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Pompilio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Bonaventura
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Manuel Belli
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cristina
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Sansone
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Zagaglia
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Meysam Sarshar
- Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur Italia-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ambrosi
- Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory of Microbiology of Chronic-Neurodegenerative Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Watthanasakphuban N, Ninchan B, Pinmanee P, Rattanaporn K, Keawsompong S. In Silico Analysis and Development of the Secretory Expression of D-Psicose-3-Epimerase in Escherichia coli. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1574. [PMID: 39203416 PMCID: PMC11356227 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
D-psicose-3-epimerase (DPEase), a key enzyme for D-psicose production, has been successfully expressed in Escherichia coli with high yield. However, intracellular expression results in high downstream processing costs and greater risk of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination during cell disruption. The secretory expression of DPEase could minimize the number of purification steps and prevent LPS contamination, but achieving the secretion expression of DPEase in E. coli is challenging and has not been reported due to certain limitations. This study addresses these challenges by enhancing the secretion of DPEase in E. coli through computational predictions and structural analyses. Signal peptide prediction identified PelB as the most effective signal peptide for DPEase localization and enhanced solubility. Supplementary strategies included the addition of 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 to promote protein secretion, resulting in higher extracellular DPEase (0.5 unit/mL). Low-temperature expression (20 °C) mitigated the formation of inclusion bodies, thus enhancing DPEase solubility. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of signal peptide selection in modulating DPEase solubility and activity, offering valuable insights for protein expression and secretion studies, especially for rare sugar production. Ongoing exploration of alternative signal peptides and refinement of secretion strategies promise further enhancement in enzyme secretion efficiency and process safety, paving the way for broader applications in biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nisit Watthanasakphuban
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (N.W.); (B.N.); (K.R.)
| | - Boontiwa Ninchan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (N.W.); (B.N.); (K.R.)
| | - Phitsanu Pinmanee
- Enzyme Technology Research Team, National Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Kittipong Rattanaporn
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (N.W.); (B.N.); (K.R.)
| | - Suttipun Keawsompong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (N.W.); (B.N.); (K.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jyoti K, Soni K, Chandra R. Pharmaceutical industrial wastewater exhibiting the co-occurrence of biofilm-forming genes in the multidrug-resistant bacterial community poses a novel environmental threat. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 273:107019. [PMID: 39002428 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The interaction of the environment with the effluent of wastewater treatment plants, having antibiotics, multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, and biofilm-forming genes (BFGs), has vast environmental risks. Antibiotic pollution bottlenecks environmental bacteria and has the potential to significantly lower the biodiversity of environmental bacteria, causing an alteration in ecological equilibrium. It can induce selective pressure for antibiotic resistance (AR) and can transform the non-resistant environmental bacteria into a resistant form through HGT. This study investigated the occurrence of MDR bacteria, showing phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of biofilm. The bacteria were isolated from the pharmaceutical wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of Dehradun and Haridwar (India), located in the pharmaceutical areas. The findings of this study demonstrate the coexistence of BFGs and MDR clinical bacteria in the vicinity of pharmaceutical industrial wastewater treatment plants. A total of 47 bacteria were isolated from both WWTPs and tested for antibiotic resistance to 13 different antibiotics; 16 isolates (34.04 %) tested positive for MDR. 5 (31.25 %) of these 16 MDR isolates were producing biofilm and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Burkholderia cepacia. The targeted BFGs in this study were ompA, bap and pslA. The most common co-occurring gene was ompA (80 %), with pslA (40 %) being the least common. A. baumannii contains all three targeted genes, whereas B. cepacia only has bap. Except for B. cepacia, all the biofilm-forming MDR isolates show AR to all the tested antibiotics and prove that the biofilm enhances the AR potential. The samples of both wastewater treatment plants also showed the occurrence of tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol, along with high levels of BOD, COD, PO4-3, NO3-, heavy metals and organic pollutants. The co-occurrence of MDR and biofilm-forming tendency in the clinical strain of bacteria and its environmental dissemination may have an array of hazardous impacts on human and environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Km Jyoti
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025, India
| | - Kuldeep Soni
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025, India
| | - Ram Chandra
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025, India.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhou Q, Hu Y, You Y, Gao Y, Wang X, Qin L. Functional analysis of OmpA and its contribution to pathogenesis of Edwardsiella tarda. Microb Pathog 2024; 193:106760. [PMID: 38914348 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106760] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), a major component of outer membrane proteins in gram-negative bacteria, is considered to be an important virulence factor in various pathogenic bacteria, but its underlying mechanisms involved in pathogenic process of Edwardsiella tarda has not yet been fully elucidated. E. tarda is an important facultative intracellular pathogen with a broad host range. This bacterium could survive and replicate in macrophages as an escape mechanism from the host defense. To address the functions of OmpA and its potential roles in the pathogenesis of E. tarda, ΔompA mutant strain and ΔompA-C complementary strain were constructed by the allelic exchange method in this study. Here, we demonstrate that the abilities of motility, biofilm formation and adherence to RAW264.7 cells of ΔompA were significantly impaired, although there was no difference in growth between wild-type (WT) strain and ΔompA. Moreover, inactivation of ompA rendered E. tarda more sensitive to oxidative, heat shock and osmotic stress, which simulate the in vivo conditions that E. tarda encounters within the intramacrophage environment. Consist with this observation, ΔompA was also found to be markedly attenuated for growth within macrophages. In addition, compared with the WT strain, ΔompA activated macrophages to release more inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). However, flow cytometry analysis revealed that ΔompA induced less apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells as compared with WT strain, characterized by decreased Annexin V binding and the activation of caspase-3. Overall, our findings suggest an importance of OmpA to E. tarda and provide the first comprehensive insight into its functions and potential roles in the pathogenesis of E. tarda, including its effect on interaction with macrophages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yushuai Hu
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yicheng You
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yingli Gao
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Xingqiang Wang
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Lei Qin
- School of Marine Science and Fisheries, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Amoros J, Fattar N, Buysse M, Louni M, Bertaux J, Bouchon D, Duron O. Reassessment of the genetic basis of natural rifampin resistance in the genus Rickettsia. Microbiologyopen 2024; 13:e1431. [PMID: 39082505 PMCID: PMC11289727 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia, a genus of obligate intracellular bacteria, includes species that cause significant human diseases. This study challenges previous claims that the Leucine-973 residue in the RNA polymerase beta subunit is the primary determinant of rifampin resistance in Rickettsia. We investigated a previously untested Rickettsia species, R. lusitaniae, from the Transitional group and found it susceptible to rifampin, despite possessing the Leu-973 residue. Interestingly, we observed the conservation of this residue in several rifampin-susceptible species across most Rickettsia phylogenetic groups. Comparative genomics revealed potential alternative resistance mechanisms, including additional amino acid variants that could hinder rifampin binding and genes that could facilitate rifampin detoxification through efflux pumps. Importantly, the evolutionary history of Rickettsia genomes indicates that the emergence of natural rifampin resistance is phylogenetically constrained within the genus, originating from ancient genetic features shared among a unique set of closely related Rickettsia species. Phylogenetic patterns appear to be the most reliable predictors of natural rifampin resistance, which is confined to a distinct monophyletic subclade known as Massiliae. The distinctive features of the RNA polymerase beta subunit in certain untested Rickettsia species suggest that R. raoultii, R. amblyommatis, R. gravesii, and R. kotlanii may also be naturally rifampin-resistant species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julien Amoros
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRDUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Noor Fattar
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRDUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Marie Buysse
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRDUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | | | | | | | - Olivier Duron
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRDUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Negahdari B, Sarkoohi P, Ghasemi Nezhad F, Shahbazi B, Ahmadi K. Design of multi-epitope vaccine candidate based on OmpA, CarO and ZnuD proteins against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34690. [PMID: 39149030 PMCID: PMC11324976 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii has been identified as a major cause of nosocomial infections. Acinetobacter infections are often difficult to treat with multidrug resistant phenotypes. One of the most effective ways to combat infectious diseases is through vaccination. In this study, an attempt was made to select the most protective and potent immunostimulatory epitopes based on the epitope-rich domains of the ZnuD, OmpA and CarO proteins of Acinetobacter baumannii to design a vaccine that can protect against this infection. After predicting the epitope of B- and T-cells, seven antigenic regions of three proteins CarO, ZnuD and OmpA, were selected. These regions were bound by a GGGS linker. The binding affinity and molecular interactions of the vaccine with the immune receptors TLR2 and TLR4 were studied using molecular docking analysis. This vaccine design was subjected to in silico immune simulations using C-ImmSim. The designed vaccine was highly antigenic, non-allergenic and stable. TLR2 and TLR4 were selected to analyze the ability of the modeled chimeric protein to interact with immune system receptors. The results showed strong interaction between the designed protein vaccine with TLR2 (-18.8 kcal mol-1) and TLR4 (-15.1 kcal mol-1). To verify the stability of the interactions and the structure of the designed protein, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for 200 ns. Various analyses using MD showed that the protein structure is stable alone and in interaction with TLR2 and TLR4. The ability of the vaccine candidate protein to stimulate the immune system to produce the necessary cytokines and antibodies against Acinetobacter baumannii was also demonstrated by the ability of the protein designed using the C-ImmSim web server to induce an immune response. Therefore, the designed protein vaccine may be a suitable candidate for in vivo as well as in vitro studies against Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Batul Negahdari
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Parisa Sarkoohi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Forozan Ghasemi Nezhad
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Behzad Shahbazi
- School of Pharmacy, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Ahmadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li S, Wei B, Xu L, Cong C, Murtaza B, Wang L, Li X, Li J, Xu M, Yin J, Xu Y. A novel Saclayvirus Acinetobacter baumannii phage genomic analysis and effectiveness in preventing pneumonia. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:428. [PMID: 39066795 PMCID: PMC11283397 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13208-0] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii, which is resistant to multiple drugs, is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for severe nosocomial infections. With no antibiotics available, phages have obtained clinical attention. However, since immunocompromised patients are often susceptible to infection, the appropriate timing of administration is particularly important. During this research, we obtained a lytic phage vB_AbaM_P1 that specifically targets A. baumannii. We then assessed its potential as a prophylactic treatment for lung infections caused by clinical strains. The virus experiences a period of inactivity lasting 30 min and produces approximately 788 particles during an outbreak. Transmission electron microscopy shows that vB_AbaM_P1 was similar to the Saclayvirus. Based on the analysis of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, vB_AbaM_P1 consists of 107537 bases with a G + C content of 37.68%. It contains a total of 177 open reading frames and 14 tRNAs. No antibiotic genes were detected. In vivo experiments, using a cyclophosphamide-induced neutrophil deficiency model, tested the protective effect of phage on neutrophil-deficient rats by prophylactic application of phage. The use of phages resulted in a decrease in rat mortality caused by A. baumannii and a reduction in the bacterial burden in the lungs. Histologic examination of lung tissue revealed a decrease in the presence of immune cells. The presence of phage vB_AbaM_P1 had a notable impact on preventing A. baumannii infection, as evidenced by the decrease in oxidative stress in lung tissue and cytokine levels in serum. Our research offers more robust evidence for the early utilization of bacteriophages to mitigate A. baumannii infection. KEY POINTS: •A novel Saclayvirus phage infecting A. baumannii was isolated from sewage. •The whole genome was determined, analyzed, and compared to other phages. •Assaying the effect of phage in preventing infection in neutrophil-deficient models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shibin Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Bingdong Wei
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, 136100, China
| | - Le Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Cong Cong
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Bilal Murtaza
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Lili Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Jibin Li
- Liaoning Innovation Center for Phage Application Professional Technology, Dalian, 116620, Liaoning, China
| | - Mu Xu
- Dalian SEM Bio-Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Dalian, 116620, China
| | - Jiajun Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116300, China.
| | - Yongping Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116300, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li S, Wei B, Xu L, Cong C, Murtaza B, Wang L, Li X, Li J, Xu M, Yin J, Xu Y. In vivo efficacy of phage cocktails against carbapenem resistance Acinetobacter baumannii in the rat pneumonia model. J Virol 2024; 98:e0046724. [PMID: 38864621 PMCID: PMC11265278 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00467-24] [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: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen, poses a significant threat in intensive care units, leading to severe nosocomial infections. The rise of multi-drug-resistant strains, particularly carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, has created formidable challenges for effective treatment. Given the prolonged development cycle and high costs associated with antibiotics, phages have garnered clinical attention as an alternative for combating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. However, the utilization of phage therapy encounters notable challenges, including the narrow host spectrum, where each phage targets a limited subset of bacteria, increasing the risk of phage resistance development. Additionally, uncertainties in immune system dynamics during treatment hinder tailoring symptomatic interventions based on patient-specific states. In this study, we isolated two A. baumannii phages from wastewater and conducted a comprehensive assessment of their potential applications. This evaluation included sequencing analysis, genome classification, pH and temperature stability assessments, and in vitro bacterial inhibition assays. Further investigations involved analyzing histological and cytokine alterations in rats undergoing phage cocktail treatment for pneumonia. The therapeutic efficacy of the phages was validated, and transcriptomic studies of rat lung tissue during phage treatment revealed crucial changes in the immune system. The findings from our study underscore the potential of phages for future development as a treatment strategy and offer compelling evidence regarding immune system dynamics throughout the treatment process.IMPORTANCEDue to the growing problem of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, the use of phages is being considered as an alternative to antibiotics, and the genetic safety and application stability of phages determine the potential of phage application. The absence of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in the phage genome can ensure the safety of phage application, and the fact that phage can remain active in a wide range of temperatures and pH is also necessary for application. In addition, the effect evaluation of preclinical studies is especially important for clinical application. By simulating the immune response situation during the treatment process through mammalian models, the changes in animal immunity can be observed, and the effect of phage therapy can be further evaluated. Our study provides compelling evidence that phages hold promise for further development as therapeutic agents for Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shibin Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bingdong Wei
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, China
| | - Le Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Cong Cong
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bilal Murtaza
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lili Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Jibin Li
- R&D Centre, Liaoning Innovation Center for Phage Application Professional Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Mu Xu
- R&D Department, Dalian SEM Bio-Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Dalian, China
| | - Jiajun Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yongping Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- R&D Department, Dalian SEM Bio-Engineering Technology Co. Ltd., Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kang HM, Kim KR, Kim G, Lee DG, Kim YJ, Choi EH, Lee J, Yun KW. Antimicrobial resistance genes harbored in invasive Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex isolated from Korean children during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods, 2015-2020. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1410997. [PMID: 39027135 PMCID: PMC11254764 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1410997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) has emerged as one of the most challenging pathogens worldwide, causing invasive infections in the critically ill patients due to their ability to rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotics. This study aimed to analyze antibiotic resistance genes harbored in AB and non-baumannii Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii (NB-ACB) complex causing invasive diseases in Korean children. Methods ACB complexes isolated from sterile body fluid of children in three referral hospitals were prospectively collected. Colistin susceptibility was additionally tested via broth microdilution. Whole genome sequencing was performed and antibiotic resistance genes were analyzed. Results During January 2015 to December 2020, a total of 67 ACB complexes were isolated from sterile body fluid of children in three referral hospitals. The median age of the patients was 0.6 (interquartile range, 0.1-7.2) years old. Among all the isolates, 73.1% (n=49) were confirmed as AB and others as NB-ACB complex by whole genome sequencing. Among the AB isolates, only 22.4% susceptible to carbapenem. In particular, all clonal complex (CC) 92 AB (n=33) showed multi-drug resistance, whereas 31.3% in non-CC92 AB (n=16) (P<0.001). NB-ACB showed 100% susceptibility to all classes of antibiotics except 3rd generation cephalosporin (72.2%). The main mechanism of carbapenem resistance in AB was the bla oxa23 gene with ISAba1 insertion sequence upstream. Presence of pmr gene and/or mutation of lpxA/C gene were not correlated with the phenotype of colistin resistance of ACB. All AB and NB-ACB isolates carried the abe and ade multidrug efflux pumps. Conclusions In conclusion, monitoring and research for resistome in ACB complex is needed to identify and manage drug-resistant AB, particularly CC92 AB carrying the bla oxa23 gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Mi Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Ran Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gahee Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-gun Lee
- Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yae Jean Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hwa Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jina Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Wook Yun
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Shein AMS, Hongsing P, Smith OK, Phattharapornjaroen P, Miyanaga K, Cui L, Ishikawa H, Amarasiri M, Monk PN, Kicic A, Chatsuwan T, Pletzer D, Higgins PG, Abe S, Wannigama DL. Current and novel therapies for management of Acinetobacter baumannii-associated pneumonia. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-22. [PMID: 38949254 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2369948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a common pathogen associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia showing increased resistance to carbapenem and colistin antibiotics nowadays. Infections with A. baumannii cause high patient fatalities due to their capability to evade current antimicrobial therapies, emphasizing the urgency of developing viable therapeutics to treat A. baumannii-associated pneumonia. In this review, we explore current and novel therapeutic options for overcoming therapeutic failure when dealing with A. baumannii-associated pneumonia. Among them, antibiotic combination therapy administering several drugs simultaneously or alternately, is one promising approach for optimizing therapeutic success. However, it has been associated with inconsistent and inconclusive therapeutic outcomes across different studies. Therefore, it is critical to undertake additional clinical trials to ascertain the clinical effectiveness of different antibiotic combinations. We also discuss the prospective roles of novel antimicrobial therapies including antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophage-based therapy, repurposed drugs, naturally-occurring compounds, nanoparticle-based therapy, anti-virulence strategies, immunotherapy, photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy, for utilizing them as additional alternative therapy while tackling A. baumannii-associated pneumonia. Importantly, these innovative therapies further require pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation for safety, stability, immunogenicity, toxicity, and tolerability before they can be clinically approved as an alternative rescue therapy for A. baumannii-associated pulmonary infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aye Mya Sithu Shein
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in, Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Parichart Hongsing
- Mae Fah Luang University Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - O'Rorke Kevin Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Excellence, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kazuhiko Miyanaga
- Division of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Longzhu Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ishikawa
- Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Kamiyanagi, Japan
| | - Mohan Amarasiri
- Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, Department of Health Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Kitasato, Sagamihara-Minami, Japan
| | - Peter N Monk
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, UK
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tanittha Chatsuwan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in, Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Daniel Pletzer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Paul G Higgins
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Shuichi Abe
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Dhammika Leshan Wannigama
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in, Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium of ODA receiving countries, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Pathogen Hunter's Research Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
An Y, Guo X, Yan T, Jia Y, Jiao R, Cai X, Deng B, Bao G, Li Y, Yang W, Wang R, Sun W, Xie J. Enhancing the stability and therapeutic potential of the antimicrobial peptide Feleucin-K3 against Multidrug-Resistant a. Baumannii through rational utilization of a D-amino acid substitution strategy. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116269. [PMID: 38723723 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116269] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which have a low probability of developing resistance, are considered the most promising antimicrobial agents for combating antibiotic resistance. Feleucin-K3 is an amphiphilic cationic AMP that exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In our previous research, the first phenylalanine residue was identified as the critical position affecting its biological activity. Here, a series of Feleucin-K3 analogs containing hydrophobic D-amino acids were developed, leveraging the low sensitivity of proteases to unnatural amino acids and the regulatory effect of hydrophobicity on antimicrobial activity. Among them, K-1dF, which replaced the phenylalanine of Feleucin-K3 with its enantiomer (D-phenylalanine), exhibited potent antimicrobial activity with a therapeutic index of 46.97 and MICs between 4 to 8 μg/ml against both sensitive and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The introduction of D-phenylalanine increased the salt tolerance and serum stability of Feleucin-K3. Moreover, K-1dF displayed a rapid bactericidal effect, a low propensity to develop resistance, and a synergistic effect when combined with antibiotics. More importantly, it exhibited considerable or superior efficacy to imipenem against pneumonia and skin abscess infection. In brief, the K-1dF obtained by simple and effective modification strategy has emerged as a promising candidate antimicrobial agent for tackling multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying An
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaomin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tiantian Yan
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yue Jia
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ruoyan Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xinyu Cai
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bochuan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guangjun Bao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yiping Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenle Yang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Wangsheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Singh S, Singh S, Trivedi M, Dwivedi M. An insight into MDR Acinetobacter baumannii infection and its pathogenesis: Potential therapeutic targets and challenges. Microb Pathog 2024; 192:106674. [PMID: 38714263 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is observed as a common species of Gram-negative bacteria that exist in soil and water. Despite being accepted as a typical component of human skin flora, it has become an important opportunistic pathogen, especially in healthcare settings. The pathogenicity of A. baumannii is attributed to its virulence factors, which include adhesins, pili, lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane proteins, iron uptake systems, autotransporter, secretion systems, phospholipases etc. These elements provide the bacterium the ability to cling to and penetrate host cells, get past the host immune system, and destroy tissue. Its infection is a major contributor to human pathophysiological conditions including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections. It is challenging to treat infections brought on by this pathogen since this bacterium has evolved to withstand numerous drugs and further emergence of drug-resistant A. baumannii results in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. The long-term survival of this bacterium on surfaces of medical supplies and hospital furniture facilitates its frequent spread in humans from one habitat to another. There is a need for urgent investigations to find effective drug targets for A. baumannii as well as designing novel drugs to reduce the survival and spread of infection. In the current review, we represent the specific features, pathogenesis, and molecular intricacies of crucial drug targets of A. baumannii. This would also assist in proposing strategies and alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of A. baumannii infections and their spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sukriti Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Sushmita Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Mala Trivedi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India
| | - Manish Dwivedi
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India; Research Cell, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 226028, India.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wang Y, Ngo VL, Zou J, Gewirtz AT. Commensal bacterial outer membrane protein A induces interleukin-22 production. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114292. [PMID: 38823020 PMCID: PMC11247541 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114292] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-22 promotes host-microbiota homeostasis. We sought to identify microbiota metabolite(s) that drive intestinal IL-22 production. We observed that exposing Peyer's patch cells (PPCs), ex vivo, to fecal supernatants (FSs) recapitulates fermentable fiber- and microbiota-dependent IL-22 production, and cellular sources thereof, thus supporting the use of this model. An interrogation of FSs generated from mice fed the fermentable fiber inulin (FS-Inu) revealed that its IL-22-inducing activity is mediated by heat-labile protein. Fractionation of FS-Inu by ion-exchange chromatography, and subsequent proteomic analysis of IL-22-inducing fractions, indicates that outer membrane protein A (OmpA) might be a microbial driver of IL-22 expression. Concomitantly, recombinant OmpA from Parabacteroides goldsteinii, which is enriched by an inulin diet, induces IL-22 production and expression of the IL-22-dependent genes REG3γ and -β, in PPCs and mice. Thus, OmpA is one bacterial inducer of IL-22 expression, potentially linking diet, mucosal immune homeostasis, and gut health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity, & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Vu L Ngo
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity, & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jun Zou
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity, & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Andrew T Gewirtz
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity, & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Li J, Lu Z, Wang L, Shi H, Chu B, Qu Y, Ye Z, Qu D. Novel Coumarins Derivatives for A. baumannii Lung Infection Developed by High-Throughput Screening and Reinforcement Learning. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:32. [PMID: 38886254 PMCID: PMC11182843 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10134-w] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
With the increasing resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) to antibiotics, researchers have turned their attention to the development of new antimicrobial agents. Among them, coumarin-based heterocycles have attracted much attention due to their unique biological activities, especially in the field of antibacterial infection. In this study, a series of coumarin derivatives were synthesized and screened for their bactericidal activities (Ren et al. 2018; Salehian et al. 2021). The inhibitory activities of these compounds on bacterial strains were evaluated, and the related mechanism of the new compounds was explored. Firstly, the MIC values and bacterial growth curves were measured after compound treatment to evaluate the antibacterial activity in vitro. Then, the in vivo antibacterial activities of the new compounds were assessed on A. baumannii-infected mice by determining the mice survival rates, counting bacterial CFU numbers, measuring inflammatory cytokine levels, and histopathology analysis. In addition, the ROS levels in the bacterial cells were measured with DCFH-DA detection kit. Furthermore, the potential target and detailed mechanism of the new compounds during infection disease therapy were predicted and evidenced with molecular docking. After that, ADMET characteristic prediction was completed, and novel, synthesizable, drug-effective molecules were optimized with reinforcement learning study based on the probed compound as a training template. The interaction between the selected structures and target proteins was further evidenced with molecular docking. This series of innovative studies provides important theoretical and experimental data for the development of new anti-A. baumannii infection drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- The Key Laboratory for Surface Engineering and Remanufacturing in Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Chemistry of New Material of Functional Inorganic Composites, School of Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhou Lu
- Department of Health Service, Medical Service Training Base, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China
| | - Liuchang Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Surface Engineering and Remanufacturing in Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Chemistry of New Material of Functional Inorganic Composites, School of Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China
| | - Huiqing Shi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bixin Chu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yingwei Qu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Zibo Prevention and Treatment Hospital for Occupation Diseases, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Zichen Ye
- Department of Health Service, Medical Service Training Base, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China.
| | - Di Qu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Pancreatic Injury and Repair Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang Z, Chu Y, Li Q, Han X, Zhao L, Zhang H, Cai K, Zhang X, Wang X, Qin Y, Fan E. A minimum functional form of the Escherichia coli BAM complex constituted by BamADE assembles outer membrane proteins in vitro. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107324. [PMID: 38677515 PMCID: PMC11130730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107324] [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: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The biogenesis of outer membrane proteins is mediated by the β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM), which is a heteropentomeric complex composed of five proteins named BamA-E in Escherichia coli. Despite great progress in the BAM structural analysis, the molecular details of BAM-mediated processes as well as the exact function of each BAM component during OMP assembly are still not fully understood. To enable a distinguishment of the function of each BAM component, it is the aim of the present work to examine and identify the effective minimum form of the E. coli BAM complex by use of a well-defined reconstitution strategy based on a previously developed versatile assay. Our data demonstrate that BamADE is the core BAM component and constitutes a minimum functional form for OMP assembly in E. coli, which can be stimulated by BamB and BamC. While BamB and BamC have a redundant function based on the minimum form, both together seem to cooperate with each other to substitute for the function of the missing BamD or BamE. Moreover, the BamAE470K mutant also requires the function of BamD and BamE to assemble OMPs in vitro, which vice verse suggests that BamADE are the effective minimum functional form of the E. coli BAM complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yindi Chu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qingrong Li
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Han
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Leyi Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hanqing Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Cai
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xingyuan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Youcai Qin
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Enguo Fan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; School of Medicine, Linyi University, Linyi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Farzi N, Oloomi M, Bahramali G, Siadat SD, Bouzari S. Antibacterial Properties and Efficacy of LL-37 Fragment GF-17D3 and Scolopendin A2 Peptides Against Resistant Clinical Strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii In Vitro and In Vivo Model Studies. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024; 16:796-814. [PMID: 37148452 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10070-w] [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] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii have emerged as major clinical threats owing to the increasing prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant strains. The present study aimed to assess the antibacterial effects and efficacy of LL-37 fragment GF-17D3 and synthetic Scolopendin A2 peptides against resistant clinical strains in vitro and in vivo models. P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and A. baumannii were isolated from clinical infections. Their antibiotic resistance and minimum inhibitory concentration were assessed. LL-37 fragment GF-17D3 peptide was selected from available databases. Scolopendin A2 peptide's 6th amino acid (proline) was substituted with lysine and peptides and MICs were determined. The biofilm inhibitory activity was quantified at sub MIC concentrations. Synergetic effects of Scolopendin A2 and imipenem were assessed by checkerboard. After mice nasal infection with P. aeruginosa, peptides LD50 was determined. Isolates harbored complete resistance toward the majority of antibiotics and MIC values ranged between 1 and > 512 µg/ml. The majority of isolates exhibited strong biofilm activity. Synthetic peptides showed lower MIC values than antibiotic agents and the lowest MIC values were obtained for synthetic peptides in combination with antibiotics. The Synergisms effect of Scolopendin A2 with imipenem was also determined. Scolopendin A2 was found to have antibacterial efficacy against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and A. baumannii with MIC 64 µg/ml, 8 µg/ml, and 16 µg/ml, respectively, and LL37 showed antibacterial efficacy against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and A. baumannii with MIC 128 µg/ml, 32 µg/ml, and 32 µg/ml, respectively. Both AMPs decreased biofilms by ≥ 96% at 1 × MIC. The biofilm inhibitory activity was measured at sub MIC concentrations of the peptides and the results demonstrated that Scolopendin A2 exhibited anti-biofilm activity at 1/4 × MIC and 1/2 × MIC concentrations was 47.9 to 63.8%, although LL37 among 1/4 × MIC and 1/2 × MIC concentrations was 21.3 to 49.6% against three pathogens. The combination of Scolopendin A2 and antibiotics demonstrated synergistic activity-resistant strains with FIC values ≤ 0.5 for three pathogens, while LL37 and antibiotics showed synergistic activity FIC values ≤ 0.5 for only P. aeruginosa. Infection model Scolopendin A2 with Imipenem (2 × MIC) was efficacious in vivo, with a 100% survival rate following treatment at 2 × MIC after 120 h. The mRNA expression of biofilm-related genes was decreased for both peptides. Synthesis Scolopendin A2 decreased the expression of biofilm formation genes compared to the control group. Synthetic Scolopendin A2 exhibits antimicrobial activity without causing toxicity on the human epithelial cell line. Based on our findings, it seems that synthetic Scolopendin A2 is an appropriate antimicrobial source. That could be a promising option in combination with antibiotics for a topical medication and in the prevention of acute and chronic infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Nevertheless, additional experiments are required to assess another potential of this novel AMP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nastaran Farzi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mana Oloomi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Golnaz Bahramali
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Davar Siadat
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
- Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeid Bouzari
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
- Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
de Melo AG, Morency C, Moineau S. Virulence-associated factors as targets for phage infection. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102471. [PMID: 38569419 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens can infect a wide range of hosts and pose a threat to public and animal health as well as to agriculture. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has increased this risk by making the treatment of bacterial infections even more challenging. Pathogenic bacteria thrive in various ecological niches, but they can also be specifically targeted and killed by bacteriophages (phages). Lytic phages are now investigated and even used, in some cases, as alternatives or complements to antibiotics for preventing or treating bacterial infections (phage therapy). As such, it is key to identify factors responsible for phage specificity and efficiency. Here, we review recent advances in virulence-associated factors that are targeted by phages. We highlight components of the bacterial cell surface, effector systems, and motility structures exploited by phages and the effects of phages on cell aggregation and communication. We also look at the fitness trade-off of phage resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra G de Melo
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Carlee Morency
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sylvain Moineau
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie, et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Félix d'Hérelle Reference Center for Bacterial Viruses, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Girija ASS. Acinetobacter baumannii as an oro-dental pathogen: a red alert!! J Appl Oral Sci 2024; 32:e20230382. [PMID: 38747806 PMCID: PMC11090480 DOI: 10.1590/1678-7757-2023-0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review highlights the existence and association of Acinetobacter baumannii with the oro-dental diseases, transforming this systemic pathogen into an oral pathogen. The review also hypothesizes possible reasons for the categorization of this pathogen as code blue due to its stealthy entry into the oral cavity. METHODOLOGY Study data were retrieved from various search engines reporting specifically on the association of A. baumannii in dental diseases and tray set-ups. Articles were also examined regarding obtained outcomes on A. baumannii biofilm formation, iron acquisitions, magnitude of antimicrobial resistance, and its role in the oral cancers. RESULTS A. baumannii is associated with the oro-dental diseases and various virulence factors attribute for the establishment and progression of oro-mucosal infections. Its presence in the oral cavity is frequent in oral microbiomes, conditions of impaired host immunity, age related illnesses, and hospitalized individuals. Many sources also contribute for its prevalence in the dental health care environment and the presence of drug resistant traits is also observed. Its association with oral cancers and oral squamous cell carcinoma is also evident. CONCLUSIONS The review calls for awareness on the emergence of A. baumannii in dental clinics and for the need for educational programs to monitor and control the sudden outbreaks of such virulent and resistant traits in the dental health care settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A S Smiline Girija
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Department of Microbiology, Chennai-600077, Tamilnadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yan Y, Xu J, Huang W, Fan Y, Li Z, Tian M, Ma J, Lu X, Liang J. Metagenomic and Culturomics Analysis of Microbial Communities within Surface Sediments and the Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Pristine River: The Zaqu River in the Lancang River Source Region, China. Microorganisms 2024; 12:911. [PMID: 38792738 PMCID: PMC11124135 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050911] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities inhabiting sedimentary environments in river source regions serve as pivotal indicators of pristine river ecosystems. While the correlation between antibiotic resistome and pathogenicity with core gut bacteria in humans is well established, there exists a significant knowledge gap concerning the interaction of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) with specific microbes in river source basins, often referred to as "terrestrial gut". Understanding the microbial composition, including bacteria and resident genetic elements such as ARGs, HPB, Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs), and Virulence Factors (VFs), within natural habitats against the backdrop of global change, is imperative. To address this gap, an enrichment-based culturomics complementary along with metagenomics was conducted in this study to characterize the microbial biobank and provide preliminary ecological insights into profiling the dissemination of ARGs in the Lancang River Source Basin. Based on our findings, in the main stream of the Lancang River Source Basin, 674 strains of bacteria, comprising 540 strains under anaerobic conditions and 124 under aerobic conditions, were successfully isolated. Among these, 98 species were identified as known species, while 4 were potential novel species. Of these 98 species, 30 were HPB relevant to human health. Additionally, bacA and bacitracin emerged as the most abundant ARGs and antibiotics in this river, respectively. Furthermore, the risk assessment of ARGs predominantly indicated the lowest risk rank (Rank Ⅳ) in terms of endangering human health. In summary, enrichment-based culturomics proved effective in isolating rare and unknown bacteria, particularly under anaerobic conditions. The emergence of ARGs showed limited correlation with MGEs, indicating minimal threats to human health within the main stream of the Lancang River Source Basin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yan
- School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; (Y.Y.); (J.X.); (W.H.); (M.T.); (J.M.)
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - Jialiang Xu
- School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; (Y.Y.); (J.X.); (W.H.); (M.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Wenmin Huang
- School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; (Y.Y.); (J.X.); (W.H.); (M.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Yufeng Fan
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zhenpeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.)
| | - Mingkai Tian
- School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; (Y.Y.); (J.X.); (W.H.); (M.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Jinsheng Ma
- School of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China; (Y.Y.); (J.X.); (W.H.); (M.T.); (J.M.)
| | - Xin Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (Y.F.); (Z.L.)
| | - Jian Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu X, Qin P, Wen H, Wang W, Zhao J. Seasonal meropenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and influence of temperature-driven adaptation. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:149. [PMID: 38678219 PMCID: PMC11055336 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03271-y] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognition of seasonal trends in bacterial infection and drug resistance rates may enhance diagnosis, direct therapeutic strategies, and inform preventive measures. Limited data exist on the seasonal variability of Acinetobacter baumannii. We investigated the seasonality of A. baumannii, the correlation between temperature and meropenem resistance, and the impact of temperature on this bacterium. RESULTS Meropenem resistance rates increased with lower temperatures, peaking in winter/colder months. Nonresistant strain detection exhibited temperature-dependent seasonality, rising in summer/warmer months and declining in winter/colder months. In contrast, resistant strains showed no seasonality. Variations in meropenem-resistant and nonresistant bacterial resilience to temperature changes were observed. Nonresistant strains displayed growth advantages at temperatures ≥ 25 °C, whereas meropenem-resistant A. baumannii with β-lactamase OXA-23 exhibited greater resistance to low-temperature (4 °C) stress. Furthermore, at 4 °C, A. baumannii upregulated carbapenem resistance-related genes (adeJ, oxa-51, and oxa-23) and increased meropenem stress tolerance. CONCLUSIONS Meropenem resistance rates in A. baumannii display seasonality and are negatively correlated with local temperature, with rates peaking in winter, possibly linked to the differential adaptation of resistant and nonresistant isolates to temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, due to significant resistance rate variations between quarters, compiling monthly or quarterly reports might enhance comprehension of antibiotic resistance trends. Consequently, this could assist in formulating strategies to control and prevent resistance within healthcare facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Liu
- Hebei Provincial Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, People's Republic of China
| | - Pu Qin
- Hebei Provincial Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hainan Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Weigang Wang
- Hebei Provincial Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhong Zhao
- Hebei Provincial Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Jeffreys S, Tompkins MP, Aki J, Papp SB, Chambers JP, Guentzel MN, Hung CY, Yu JJ, Arulanandam BP. Development and Evaluation of an Immunoinformatics-Based Multi-Peptide Vaccine against Acinetobacter baumannii Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:358. [PMID: 38675740 PMCID: PMC11054912 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040358] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen associated with hospital-acquired infections. Due to its environmental persistence, virulence, and limited treatment options, this organism causes both increased patient mortality and incurred healthcare costs. Thus, prophylactic vaccination could be ideal for intervention against MDR Acinetobacter infection in susceptible populations. In this study, we employed immunoinformatics to identify peptides containing both putative B- and T-cell epitopes from proteins associated with A. baumannii pathogenesis. A novel Acinetobacter Multi-Epitope Vaccine (AMEV2) was constructed using an A. baumannii thioredoxin A (TrxA) leading protein sequence followed by five identified peptide antigens. Antisera from A. baumannii infected mice demonstrated reactivity to rAMEV2, and subcutaneous immunization of mice with rAMEV2 produced high antibody titer against the construct as well as peptide components. Immunization results in increased frequency of IL-4-secreting splenocytes indicative of a Th2 response. AMEV2-immunized mice were protected against intranasal challenge with a hypervirulent strain of A. baumannii and demonstrated reduced bacterial burden at 48 h. In contrast, all mock vaccinated mice succumbed to infection within 3 days. Results presented here provide insight into the effectiveness of immunoinformatic-based vaccine design and its potential as an effective strategy to combat the rise of MDR pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Jeffreys
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Megan P. Tompkins
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Jadelynn Aki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Sara B. Papp
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - James P. Chambers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - M. Neal Guentzel
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Chiung-Yu Hung
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Jieh-Juen Yu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
| | - Bernard P. Arulanandam
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA; (S.J.); (M.P.T.); (J.A.); (J.P.C.); (M.N.G.); (C.-Y.H.)
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Bhavya JN, Anugna SS, Premanath R. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of colistin and imipenem impact the expression of biofilm-associated genes in Acinetobacter baumannii. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:169. [PMID: 38489041 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03869-w] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for nosocomial infections. Imipenem and colistin are drugs that are commonly used to treat severe infections caused by A. baumannii, such as sepsis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and bacteremia. However, some strains of A. baumannii have become resistant to these drugs, which is a concern for public health. Biofilms produced by A. baumannii increase their resistance to antibiotics and the cells within the inner layers of biofilm are exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics. There is limited information available regarding how the genes of A. baumannii are linked to biofilm formation when the bacteria are exposed to sub-MICs of imipenem and colistin. Thus, this study's objective was to explore this relationship by examining the genes involved in biofilm formation in A. baumannii when exposed to low levels of imipenem and colistin. The study found that exposing an isolate of A. baumannii to low levels of these drugs caused changes in their drug susceptibility pattern. The relative gene expression profiles of the biofilm-associated genes exhibited a change in their expression profile during short-term and long-term exposure. This study highlights the potential consequences of overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which can help bacteria become resistant to these drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J N Bhavya
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 575018, India
| | - Sureddi Sai Anugna
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 575018, India
| | - Ramya Premanath
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 575018, India.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Filipić B, Ušjak D, Rambaher MH, Oljacic S, Milenković MT. Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1370062. [PMID: 38510964 PMCID: PMC10951914 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1370062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, leading to an alarming increase in the prevalence of bacterial infections that can no longer be treated with available antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 up to 10 million deaths per year could be associated with antimicrobial resistance, which would equal the annual number of cancer deaths worldwide. To overcome this emerging crisis, novel anti-bacterial compounds are urgently needed. There are two possible approaches in the fight against bacterial infections: a) targeting structures within bacterial cells, similar to existing antibiotics; and/or b) targeting virulence factors rather than bacterial growth. Here, for the first time, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key steps in the evaluation of potential new anti-bacterial and/or anti-virulence compounds. The methods described in this review include: a) in silico methods for the evaluation of novel compounds; b) anti-bacterial assays (MIC, MBC, Time-kill); b) anti-virulence assays (anti-biofilm, anti-quorum sensing, anti-adhesion); and c) evaluation of safety aspects (cytotoxicity assay and Ames test). Overall, we provide a detailed description of the methods that are an essential tool for chemists, computational chemists, microbiologists, and toxicologists in the evaluation of potential novel antimicrobial compounds. These methods are cost-effective and have high predictive value. They are widely used in preclinical studies to identify new molecular candidates, for further investigation in animal and human trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brankica Filipić
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dušan Ušjak
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Martina Hrast Rambaher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Slavica Oljacic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina T. Milenković
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wang X, Wang D, Lu H, Wang X, Wang X, Su J, Xia G. Strategies to Promote the Journey of Nanoparticles Against Biofilm-Associated Infections. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305988. [PMID: 38178276 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Biofilm-associated infections are one of the most challenging healthcare threats for humans, accounting for 80% of bacterial infections, leading to persistent and chronic infections. The conventional antibiotics still face their dilemma of poor therapeutic effects due to the high tolerance and resistance led by bacterial biofilm barriers. Nanotechnology-based antimicrobials, nanoparticles (NPs), are paid attention extensively and considered as promising alternative. This review focuses on the whole journey of NPs against biofilm-associated infections, and to clarify it clearly, the journey is divided into four processes in sequence as 1) Targeting biofilms, 2) Penetrating biofilm barrier, 3) Attaching to bacterial cells, and 4) Translocating through bacterial cell envelope. Through outlining the compositions and properties of biofilms and bacteria cells, recent advances and present the strategies of each process are comprehensively discussed to combat biofilm-associated infections, as well as the combined strategies against these infections with drug resistance, aiming to guide the rational design and facilitate wide application of NPs in biofilm-associated infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Hongwei Lu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Xuelei Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Jiayi Su
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| | - Guimin Xia
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
de Oliveira PAA, Baboghlian J, Ramos COA, Mançano ASF, Porcari ADM, Girardello R, Ferraz LFC. Selection and validation of reference genes suitable for gene expression analysis by Reverse Transcription Quantitative real-time PCR in Acinetobacter baumannii. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3830. [PMID: 38360762 PMCID: PMC10869792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51499-5] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a Gram-negative bacterium considered an emerging multi-drug-resistant pathogen. Furthermore, this bacterium can survive in extreme environmental conditions, which makes it a frequent cause of nosocomial infection outbreaks. Gene expression analyses by Reverse Transcription Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) depend on a reference gene, also called an endogenous gene, which is used to normalize the generated data and thus ensure an accurate analysis with minimal errors. Currently, gene expression analyses in A. baumannii are compromised, as there are no reports in the literature describing the identification of validated reference genes for use in RT-qPCR analyses. For this reason, we selected twelve candidate reference genes of A. baumannii and assessed their expression profile under different experimental and culture conditions. The expression stability of the candidate genes was evaluated by using statistical algorithms such as BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder, Delta CT, and RefFinder, in order to identify the most suitable candidate reference genes for RT-qPCR analyses. The statistical analyses indicated rpoB, rpoD, and fabD genes as the most adequate to ensure accurate normalization of RT-qPCR data in A. baumannii. The accuracy of the proposed reference genes was validated by using them to normalize the expression of the ompA gene, encoding the outer membrane protein A, in A. baumannii sensible and resistant to the antibiotic polymyxin. The present work provides suitable reference genes for precise RT-qPCR data normalization on future gene expression studies with A. baumannii.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliana Baboghlian
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, SP, CEP 12916-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Andréia de Melo Porcari
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, SP, CEP 12916-900, Brazil
| | - Raquel Girardello
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, SP, CEP 12916-900, Brazil
| | - Lúcio Fábio Caldas Ferraz
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, SP, CEP 12916-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Vandeputte M, Coppens S, Bossier P, Vereecke N, Vanrompay D. Genomic mining of Vibrio parahaemolyticus highlights prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes and new genetic markers associated with AHPND and tdh + /trh + genotypes. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:178. [PMID: 38355437 PMCID: PMC10868097 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10093-9] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) causes significant mortality in shrimp aquaculture. The infection is primarily instigated by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) strains carrying a plasmid encoding the binary toxin PirAB. Yet, comprehension of supplementary virulence factors associated with this relatively recent disease remains limited. Furthermore, the same holds for gastroenteritis in humans caused by other Vp genotypes. Additionally, given the prevalent use of antibiotics to combat bacterial infections, it becomes imperative to illuminate the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes within these bacteria. RESULTS A subsampled number of 1,036 Vp genomes was screened for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes, revealing an average prevalence of 5 ± 2 (SD) genes. Additional phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing of three Vp strains (M0904, TW01, and PV1) sequenced in this study demonstrated resistance to ampicillin by all tested strains. Additionally, Vp M0904 showed multidrug resistance (against ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). With a focus on AHPND, a screening of all Vibrio spp. for the presence of pirA and/or pirB indicates an estimated prevalence of 0.6%, including four V. campbellii, four V. owensii, and a Vibrio sp. next to Vp. Their pirAB-encoding plasmids exhibited a highly conserved backbone, with variations primarily in the region of the Tn3 family transposase. Furthermore, an assessment of the subsampled Vp genomes for the presence of known virulence factors showed a correlation between the presence of the Type 3 Secretion System 2 and tdh, while the presence of the Type 6 Secretion System 1 was clade dependent. Furthermore, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) unveiled (new) genes associated with pirA, pirB, tdh, and trh genotypes. Notable associations with the pirAB genotype included outer membrane proteins, immunoglobulin-like domain containing proteins, and toxin-antitoxin systems. For the tdh + /trh + genotypes (containing tdh, trh, or both genes), associations were found with T3SS2 genes, urease-related genes and nickel-transport system genes, and genes involved in a 'minimal' type I-F CRISPR mechanism. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Vp, identifying novel genetic markers associated with AHPND and tdh + /trh + genotypes. These findings contribute valuable insights into the genomic basis of these genotypes, with implications for shrimp aquaculture and food safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Vandeputte
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Production and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Department of Animal Production and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | | | - Peter Bossier
- Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Department of Animal Production and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Daisy Vanrompay
- Laboratory of Immunology and Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Production and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Mohseni Sani N, Talaee M, Akbari A, Ashoori F, Zamani J, Kermani AA, Shahbani Zahiri H, Presley J, Vali H, Akbari Noghabi K. Unveiling the structure-emulsifying function relationship of truncated recombinant forms of the SA01-OmpA protein opens up a new vista in bioemulsifiers. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0346523. [PMID: 38206002 PMCID: PMC10846152 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03465-23] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The emulsifying ability of SA01-OmpA (outer membrane protein A from Acinetobacter sp. SA01) was found to be constrained by challenges like low production efficiency and high costs associated with protein recovery from E. coli inclusion bodies, as described in our previous study. The present study sought to benefit from the advantages of the targeted truncating of SA01-OmpA protein, taking into account the reduced propensity of protein expression as inclusion bodies and cytotoxicity. Here, the structure and activity relationship of two truncated recombinant forms of SA01-OmpA protein was unraveled through a hybrid approach based on experimental data and computational methodologies, representing an innovative bioemulsifier with advantageous emulsifying activity. The recombinant truncated SA01-OmpA variants were cloned and heterologously expressed in E. coli host cells and subsequently purified. The results showed increased emulsifying activity of N-terminally truncated SA01-OmpA (NT-OmpA) compared to full-length SA01-OmpA. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations analysis demonstrated a direct correlation between the C-terminally truncated SA01-OmpA (CT-OmpA) and its expression as inclusion bodies. Analysis of the structure-activity relationship of truncated variants of SA01-OmpA revealed that, compared to the full-length protein, deletion of the β-barrel portion from the N-terminal of SA01-OmpA increased the emulsifying activity of NT-OmpA while lowering its expression as inclusion bodies. Contrary to the full-length protein, the N-terminally truncated SA01-OmpA was not as cytotoxic, according to the MTT assay, FCM analysis, and AO/EB staining. The findings of this extensive study advance our knowledge of SA01-OmpA at the molecular level as well as the design and development of efficient bioemulsifiers.IMPORTANCEPrevious research (Shahryari et al. 2021, mSystems 6: e01175-20) introduced and characterized the SA01-OmpA protein as a multifaceted protein with a variety of functions, including maintaining cellular homeostasis under oxidative stress conditions, biofilm formation, outer membrane vesicles (OMV) biogenesis, and beneficial emulsifying capacity. By truncating the SA01-OmpA protein, the current study presents a unique method for developing protein-type bioemulsifiers. The findings indicate that the N-terminally truncated SA01-OmpA (NT-OmpA) has the potential to fully replace full-length SA01-OmpA as a novel bioemulsifier with significant emulsifying activity. This study opens up a new frontier in bioemulsifiers, shedding light on a possible relationship between the structure and activity of SA01-OmpA truncated forms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naeema Mohseni Sani
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahbubeh Talaee
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbari
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Faranak Ashoori
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Zamani
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali A. Kermani
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hossein Shahbani Zahiri
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - John Presley
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hojatollah Vali
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Kambiz Akbari Noghabi
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhou J, Feng D, Li X, Chen Y, Zhang M, Wu W, Zhu J, Li H, Peng X, Zhang T. L-Serine enables reducing the virulence of Acinetobacter baumannii and modulating the SIRT1 pathway to eliminate the pathogen. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0322623. [PMID: 38240573 PMCID: PMC10913490 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03226-23] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of high-virulent Acinetobacter baumannii strains increases the mortality of patients and seriously affects their prognosis, which motivates us to explore novel ways to control such infections. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was adopted to explore the metabolic difference between high- and low-virulent A. baumannii strains, and the decreased L-serine levels were identified as the most crucial biomarker in low-virulent A. baumannii strains. In vitro, L-serine reduced the virulence of A. baumannii to Beas 2B cells and inhibited the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome via decreasing the generation of ROS and mtROS and the release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-18 and IL-1β) through upregulating SIRT1. In vivo, the Galleria mellonella model was adopted. L-serine downregulated the levels of virulence genes (ompA, carO, and omp33-36), reduced the mortality of A. baumannii to G. mellonella, and decreased the blacking speed as well as the degree of G. mellonella after infection. Taken together, we found that L-serine can reduce the virulence of A. baumannii and enhance the host's defense against the pathogen, providing a novel strategy for the treatment of infections caused by A. baumannii.IMPORTANCEAcinetobacter baumannii has become one of the most common and severe opportunistic pathogens in hospitals. The high-virulent A. baumannii strains pose a great threat to patients and increase the risk of nosocomial infection. However, the mechanism of virulence in A. baumannii is still not well understood. In the present study, we identified potential biomarkers in low-virulent A. baumannii strains. Our analysis revealed the effect of L-serine on reducing the virulence of A.baumannii. This discovery suggests that targeting L-serine could be a promising strategy for the treatment or adjunctive treatment of A. baumannii infections. The development of treatments targeting virulence may provide a substitute for the increasingly failed traditional antibacterial treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianxia Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dingyun Feng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuetao Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbin Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxin Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanxian Peng
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiantuo Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Institute of Respiratory Disease of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Chu ZY, Li YL, Wang L, Wei SY, Yang SQ, Zeng H. Perillaldehyde: A promising antibacterial agent for the treatment of pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111311. [PMID: 38043271 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111311] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Perillaldehyde is a monoterpene compound mainly from the medicinal plant Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., which has hypolipidemic, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions. In this investigation, we discovered that Perillaldehyde had powerful antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii 5F1, and its minimum inhibitory concentration was 287.08 μg/mL. A. baumannii is a conditionally pathogenic bacterium with a high clinical resistance rate and is a major source of hospital infections, especially in intensive care units, which is one of the main causes of pneumonia. Inflammatory immune response is characteristic of pneumonia caused by A. baumannii infection. The results of our in vitro experiments indicate that Perillaldehyde disrupts the cell membrane of A. baumannii 5F1 and inhibits its quorum sensing to inhibit biofilm formation, among other effects. With an experimental model of murine pneumonia, we investigated that Perillaldehyde decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation and TNF-α expression in lung tissues by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, and also impacted MAPKs protein signaling pathway through the activation of TLR4. Notably, the use of high doses of Perillaldehyde for the treatment of pneumonia caused by A. baumannii 5F1 infection resulted in a survival rate of up to 80 % in mice. In summary, we demonstrated that Perillaldehyde is promising as a new drug for the treatment of pneumonia caused by A. baumannii 5F1 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yong Chu
- School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi, PR China; College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, Xinjiang, PR China
| | - Yu-Long Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Shu-Yun Wei
- School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Sheng-Qiang Yang
- School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Hong Zeng
- School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise 533000, Guangxi, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Barati H, Fekrirad Z, Jalali Nadoushan M, Rasooli I. Anti-OmpA antibodies as potential inhibitors of Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation, adherence to, and proliferation in A549 human alveolar epithelial cells. Microb Pathog 2024; 186:106473. [PMID: 38048840 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106473] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is a critical virulence factor in Acinetobacter baumannii, influencing adhesion, biofilm formation, host immune response, and host cell apoptosis. We investigated the invasion of A549 alveolar epithelial cells by A. baumannii and examined how anti-OmpA antibodies impact these interactions. OmpA was expressed and purified, inducing anti-OmpA antibodies in BALB/c mice. The potential toxicity of OmpA was evaluated in mice by analyzing histology from six organs. A549 cells were exposed to A. baumannii strains 19606 and a clinical isolate. Using cell culture and light microscopy, we scrutinized the effects of anti-OmpA sera on serum resistance, adherence, internalization, and proliferation of A. baumannii in A549 cells. The viability of A549 cells was assessed upon exposure to live A. baumannii and anti-OmpA sera. OmpA-induced antibody demonstrated potent bactericidal effects on both strains of A. baumannii. Both strains formed biofilms, which were reduced by anti-OmpA serum, along with decreased bacterial adherence, internalization, and proliferation in A549 cells. Anti-OmpA serum improved the survival of A549 cells post-infection. Pre-treatment with cytochalasin D hindered bacterial internalization, highlighting the role of actin polymerization in invasion. Microscopic examination revealed varied interactions encompassing adherence, apoptosis, membrane alterations, vacuolization, and damage. A549 cells treated with anti-OmpA serum exhibited improved structures and reduced damage. The findings indicate that A. baumannii can adhere to and proliferate within epithelial cells with OmpA playing a pivotal role in these interactions, and the complex nature of these interactions shapes the intricate course of A. baumannii infection in host cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammadreza Jalali Nadoushan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; Molecular Microbiology Research Center and Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Iraj Rasooli
- Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; Molecular Microbiology Research Center and Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bae JY, Yun I, Jun KI, Kim CJ, Lee M, Choi HJ. Association between Pneumonia Development and Virulence Gene Expression in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Specimens. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY = JOURNAL CANADIEN DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES ET DE LA MICROBIOLOGIE MEDICALE 2023; 2023:8265683. [PMID: 38156310 PMCID: PMC10754638 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8265683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the virulence gene expression of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) isolated from the respiratory samples of patients with CRAB pneumonia and those with CRAB colonization to identify the virulence genes contributing to CRAB pneumonia's development and mortality. Patients with CRAB identified from respiratory specimens were screened at a tertiary university hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were classified into CRAB pneumonia or CRAB colonization groups according to predefined clinical criteria. A. baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens was examined for the expression levels of ompA, uspA, hfq, hisF, feoA, and bfnL by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 156 patients with CRAB from respiratory specimens, 17 and 24 met the criteria for inclusion in the pneumonia and colonization groups, respectively. The expression level of ompA was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the colonization group (1.45 vs. 0.63, P=0.03). The expression levels of ompA (1.97 vs. 0.86, P=0.02), hisF (1.06 vs. 0.10, P < 0.01), uspA (1.62 vs. 1.01, P < 0.01), and bfnL (3.14 vs. 2.14, P=0.03) were significantly higher in patients with 30-day mortality than in the surviving patients. Elevated expression of hisF (adjusted odds ratio = 5.93, P=0.03) and uspA (adjusted odds ratio = 7.36, P=0.02) were associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for age and the Charlson score. uspA and hisF may serve as putative targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yun Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ina Yun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Il Jun
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chung-Jong Kim
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miae Lee
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Ewha Education and Research Center for Infection, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Bouhrour N, van der Reijden TJK, Voet MM, Schonkeren-Ravensbergen B, Cordfunke RA, Drijfhout JW, Bendali F, Nibbering PH. Novel Antibacterial Agents SAAP-148 and Halicin Combat Gram-Negative Bacteria Colonizing Catheters. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1743. [PMID: 38136778 PMCID: PMC10741160 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121743] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The antibiotic management of catheter-related infections (CRIs) often fails owing to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains and/or biofilm/persister apparitions. Thus, we investigated the efficacy of two novel antimicrobial agents, i.e., the synthetic peptide SAAP-148 and the novel antibiotic halicin, against Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) colonizing catheters. The antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-persister activities of both agents were evaluated against Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. The enrolled strains were isolated from catheters and selected based on their resistance to at least three antibiotic classes and biofilm formation potential. Furthermore, the hemolysis and endotoxin neutralization abilities of these agents were explored. The bactericidal activity of both agents was reduced in urine and plasma as compared to buffered saline. In a dose-dependent manner, SAAP-148 and halicin reduced bacterial counts in 24 h preformed biofilms on silicone elastomer discs and eliminated persisters originating from antibiotic-exposed mature 7-day biofilms, with halicin being less effective than SAAP-148. Importantly, SAAP-148 and halicin acted synergistically on E. coli and K. pneumoniae biofilms but not on A. baumannii biofilms. The peptide, but not halicin, decreased the production of IL-12p40 upon exposure to UV-killed bacteria. This preliminary study showed that SAAP-148 and halicin alone/in combination are promising candidates to fight GNB colonizing catheters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nesrine Bouhrour
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, Algeria
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (T.J.K.v.d.R.); (M.M.V.); (B.S.-R.); (P.H.N.)
| | - Tanny J. K. van der Reijden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (T.J.K.v.d.R.); (M.M.V.); (B.S.-R.); (P.H.N.)
| | - Michella M. Voet
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (T.J.K.v.d.R.); (M.M.V.); (B.S.-R.); (P.H.N.)
| | - Bep Schonkeren-Ravensbergen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (T.J.K.v.d.R.); (M.M.V.); (B.S.-R.); (P.H.N.)
| | - Robert A. Cordfunke
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.A.C.); (J.W.D.)
| | - Jan Wouter Drijfhout
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.A.C.); (J.W.D.)
| | - Farida Bendali
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, Algeria
| | - Peter H. Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; (T.J.K.v.d.R.); (M.M.V.); (B.S.-R.); (P.H.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Bista PK, Pillai D, Narayanan SK. Characterization of Three New Outer Membrane Adhesion Proteins in Fusobacterium necrophorum. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2968. [PMID: 38138112 PMCID: PMC10745669 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusobacterium necrophorum, an anaerobic Gram-negative pathogen, causes necrotic cattle infections, impacting livestock health and the US feedlot industry. Antibiotic administration is the mainstay for treating F. necrophorum infections, although resistance hampers their effectiveness. Vaccination, especially targeting outer membrane proteins (OMPs) due to their antigenic properties and host specificity, offers an alternative to antibiotics. This study identified high-binding-affinity adhesion proteins from F. necrophorum using binding and pull-down assays with bovine adrenal gland endothelial cells (EJG). Four OMP candidates (17.5 kDa/OmpH, 22.7 kDa/OmpA, 66.3 kDa/cell surface protein (CSP), and a previously characterized 43 kDa OMP) were expressed as recombinant proteins and purified. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies to recombinant OMPs were generated, and their ability to inhibit bacterial binding in vitro was assessed. The results show that treatment with individual polyclonal antibodies against 43 kDa significantly inhibited bacterial adhesion, while other antibodies were less potent. However, combinations of two or more antibodies showed a more prominent inhibitory effect on host-cell adhesion. Thus, our findings suggest that the identified OMPs are involved in fusobacterial attachment to host cells and may have the potential to be leveraged in combination for vaccine development. Future in vivo studies are needed to validate their roles and test the feasibility of an OMP-based subunit vaccine against fusobacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prabha K. Bista
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (P.K.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Deepti Pillai
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (P.K.B.); (D.P.)
- Indiana Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Sanjeev K. Narayanan
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (P.K.B.); (D.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kadaikunnan S, Alharbi N. Colistin-induced structural and biochemical changes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the hospital environment. J Infect Public Health 2023; 16 Suppl 1:26-32. [PMID: 37980240 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.011] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging multidrug-resistant bacterium and is considered as one of the important causes of nosocomial infections. OBJECTIVES The main objectives are to determine the drug-resistant pattern of beta-lactamase-producing A. baumannii, colistin-induced structural and biochemical changes. METHODS A. baumannii strains were isolated from the restrooms using the selective media, viz., restroom door, restroom floor, washing area, and restroom tap. A total of 120 samples were collected from all four sampling sites. These strains and their drug-resistance patterns were identified. Then carbapenem-resistance was analyzed and the occurrence of the drug-resistant gene (blaOXA-23) was determined. Colistin was applied at various concentrations (20 - 100 µg/mL) and the molecular mechanism of A. baumannii was analysed. RESULTS The bacterial population was high on doors (53 ± 2 CFU/mL), followed by restroom tap (19 ± 1 CFU/mL), restroom floor (14 ± 3 CFU/mL), and washing area (3 ± 0 CFU/mL), respectively. A total of 343 A. baumannii strains were isolated from the 120 samples obtained for one year from the restroom. The isolated bacteria showed resistance to selected carbapenems, with 100% isolates being resistant to imipenem, followed by cefotaxime (1.4 ± 0.2% susceptibility). More blaOXA-23 gene carrying strains were isolated from restroom tap(89 ± 2.1%) than other sources. Colistin exhibited bactericidal activity against drug-resistant A. baumannii. Treating A. baumannii strain with 100 µg/mL colistin induced cell membrane roughness in vitro. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed moderate cell shrinkage after treatment with colistin. Bacterial cells treated with hydrogen peroxide or colistin for 30 min induced the production of hydroxyl radicals. The bacterial lysis increased fluorescence and hydroxyl radicals, and released cellular protein and sugars. CONCLUSIONS The isolated A. baumannii was resistant to imipenem and showed susceptibility to colistin. Colistin disrupted cell membrane in drug-resistant A. baumannii in vitro. The regular screening for drug-resistance among A. baumannii strains can help monitor the outbreak of A. baumannii and manage control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shine Kadaikunnan
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - NaiyfS Alharbi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ou YY, Ho QT, Chang HT. Recent advances in features generation for membrane protein sequences: From multiple sequence alignment to pre-trained language models. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2200494. [PMID: 37863817 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200494] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins play a crucial role in various cellular processes and are essential components of cell membranes. Computational methods have emerged as a powerful tool for studying membrane proteins due to their complex structures and properties that make them difficult to analyze experimentally. Traditional features for protein sequence analysis based on amino acid types, composition, and pair composition have limitations in capturing higher-order sequence patterns. Recently, multiple sequence alignment (MSA) and pre-trained language models (PLMs) have been used to generate features from protein sequences. However, the significant computational resources required for MSA-based features generation can be a major bottleneck for many applications. Several methods and tools have been developed to accelerate the generation of MSAs and reduce their computational cost, including heuristics and approximate algorithms. Additionally, the use of PLMs such as BERT has shown great potential in generating informative embeddings for protein sequence analysis. In this review, we provide an overview of traditional and more recent methods for generating features from protein sequences, with a particular focus on MSAs and PLMs. We highlight the advantages and limitations of these approaches and discuss the methods and tools developed to address the computational challenges associated with features generation. Overall, the advancements in computational methods and tools provide a promising avenue for gaining deeper insights into the function and properties of membrane proteins, which can have significant implications in drug discovery and personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yen Ou
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Informatics, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
| | - Quang-Thai Ho
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Ta Chang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Gedefie A, Alemayehu E, Mohammed O, Bambo GM, Kebede SS, Kebede B. Prevalence of biofilm producing Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287211. [PMID: 38032906 PMCID: PMC10688650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acinetobacter baumannii, the first human pathogen to be designated as a "red-alert" pathogen, is on the critical priority list of pathogens requiring new antibiotics. Biofilm-associated diseases are the most common infections caused by the antibiotic-resistant bacteria A. baumannii. Multidrug-resistant strains are more easily transmitted around the world due to A. baumannii's ability to produce biofilms, which allows it to develop antibiotic resistance mechanisms and thrive in healthcare environments. As a result, A. baumannii infections are becoming increasingly common in hospital settings allover the world. As a result, a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to determine the global prevalence of biofilm-producing A. baumannii clinical isolates. METHODS Articles were extensively searched in bibliographic databases and grey literatures using entry terms or phrases. Studies meeting eligibility criteria were extracted in MS Excel and exported into STATA version 12 software for statistical analysis. A random-effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence of biofilm-producing A. baumannii clinical isolates. The heterogeneity was quantified by using the I2 value. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger's test. Sensitivity analysis was done to assess the impact of a single study on pooled effect size. RESULT Of the 862 studies identified, 26 studies consisted of 2123 A.baumannii clinical isolates of which 1456 were biofilm-producing. The pooled prevalence of biofilm-producing A.baumannii clinical isolates was 65.63% (95% CI = 56.70%-74.56%). There was substantial heterogeneity with an I2 value of 98.1%. Moreover, 41.34%, 33.57%, and 27.63% of isolates of strong, mild, and weak producers of biofilm. Higher prevalence was found in studies published after 2014 (66.31%); Western Pacific region (76.17%); and Asia (66.22%) followed by the African continent (57.29%). CONCLUSION The pooled prevalence of biofilm-producing A. baumannii clinical isolates has risen alarmingly, posing a public health risk. This indicates the burden of biofilm-producing A. baumannii infections urges routine screening and appropriate treatment for better management of hospitalized patients, as well as effective controlling of the emergence of drug resistance. Furthermore, this finding is an alert call for the stakeholders to develop strong infection prevention and antibiotics stewardship programs for the prevention and control of biofilm-producing bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gedefie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Ermiyas Alemayehu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Ousman Mohammed
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Mesfin Bambo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan, Ethiopia
| | - Samuel Sahile Kebede
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan, Ethiopia
| | - Berhanu Kebede
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Akshay SD, Deekshit VK, Mohan Raj J, Maiti B. Outer Membrane Proteins and Efflux Pumps Mediated Multi-Drug Resistance in Salmonella: Rising Threat to Antimicrobial Therapy. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2072-2092. [PMID: 37910638 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite colossal achievements in antibiotic therapy in recent decades, drug-resistant pathogens have remained a leading cause of death and economic loss globally. One such WHO-critical group pathogen is Salmonella. The extensive and inappropriate treatments for Salmonella infections have led from multi-drug resistance (MDR) to extensive drug resistance (XDR). The synergy between efflux-mediated systems and outer membrane proteins (OMPs) may favor MDR in Salmonella. Differential expression of the efflux system and OMPs (influx) and positional mutations are the factors that can be correlated to the development of drug resistance. Insights into the mechanism of influx and efflux of antibiotics can aid in developing a structurally stable molecule that can be proficient at escaping from the resistance loops in Salmonella. Understanding the strategic responsibilities and developing policies to address the surge of drug resistance at the national, regional, and global levels are the needs of the hour. In this Review, we attempt to aggregate all the available research findings and delineate the resistance mechanisms by dissecting the involvement of OMPs and efflux systems. Integrating major OMPs and the efflux system's differential expression and positional mutation in Salmonella may provide insight into developing strategic therapies for one health application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadanand Dangari Akshay
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018, India
| | - Vijaya Kumar Deekshit
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Department of Infectious Diseases & Microbial Genomics, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018, India
| | - Juliet Mohan Raj
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Department of Infectious Diseases & Microbial Genomics, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018, India
| | - Biswajit Maiti
- Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangalore-575018, India
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gauba A, Rahman KM. Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1590. [PMID: 37998792 PMCID: PMC10668847 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12111590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections are exponentially increasing, posing one of the most urgent global healthcare and economic threats. Due to the lack of new therapies, the World Health Organization classified these bacterial species as priority pathogens in 2017, known as ESKAPE pathogens. This classification emphasizes the need for urgent research and development of novel targeted therapies. The majority of these priority pathogens are Gram-negative species, which possess a structurally dynamic cell envelope enabling them to resist multiple antibiotics, thereby leading to increased mortality rates. Despite 6 years having passed since the WHO classification, the progress in generating new treatment ideas has not been sufficient, and antimicrobial resistance continues to escalate, acting as a global ticking time bomb. Numerous efforts and strategies have been employed to combat the rising levels of antibiotic resistance by targeting specific resistance mechanisms. These mechanisms include antibiotic inactivating/modifying enzymes, outer membrane porin remodelling, enhanced efflux pump action, and alteration of antibiotic target sites. Some strategies have demonstrated clinical promise, such as the utilization of beta-lactamase inhibitors as antibiotic adjuvants, as well as recent advancements in machine-based learning employing artificial intelligence to facilitate the production of novel narrow-spectrum antibiotics. However, further research into an enhanced understanding of the precise mechanisms by which antibiotic resistance occurs, specifically tailored to each bacterial species, could pave the way for exploring narrow-spectrum targeted therapies. This review aims to introduce the key features of Gram-negative bacteria and their current treatment approaches, summarizing the major antibiotic resistance mechanisms with a focus on Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Additionally, potential directions for alternative therapies will be discussed, along with their relative modes of action, providing a future perspective and insight into the discipline of antimicrobial resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Khondaker Miraz Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ji F, Tian G, Shang D, Jiang F. Antimicrobial peptide 2K4L disrupts the membrane of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and protects mice against sepsis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1258469. [PMID: 37942076 PMCID: PMC10628664 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1258469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. 2K4L is a rationally-designed analog of a short peptide temporin-1CEc, a natural peptide isolated and purified from the skin secretions of the Chinese brown frog Rana chensinensis by substituting amino acid residues. 2K4L adopt an α-helical confirm in a membrane-mimetic environment and displayed an improved and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against sensitive and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. Here, the action mechanism of 2K4L on multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB) and protection on MRAB-infected mice was investigated. The results demonstrated high bactericidal activity of 2K4L against both a multidrug resistant A. baumannii 0227 strain (MRAB 0227) and a sensitive A. baumannii strain (AB 22934), indicating a potential therapeutic advantage of this peptide. Strong positively-charged residues significantly promoted the electrostatic interaction on 2K4L with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of the bacterial outer membrane. High hydrophobicity and an α-helical confirm endowed 2K4L remarkably increase the permeability of A. baumannii cytoplasmic membrane by depolarization of membrane potential and disruption of membrane integration, as well as leakage of fluorescein from the liposomes. Additionally, 2K4L at low concentrations inhibited biofilm formation and degraded mature 1-day-old MRAB 0227 biofilms by reducing the expression of biofilm-related genes. In an invasive A. baumannii infection model, 2K4L enhanced the survival of sepsis mice and decreased the production of the proinflammatory cytokines downregulating the phosphorylation level of signaling protein in MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, indicating that 2K4L represents a novel therapeutic antibiotic candidate against invasive multidrug-resistant bacterial strain infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangyu Ji
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Guoxu Tian
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Dejing Shang
- School of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Drug Discovery, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Fengquan Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Edison LK, Kudva IT, Kariyawasam S. Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Bovine Rectoanal Junction Cells and Human Colonic Epithelial Cells during Initial Adherence. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2562. [PMID: 37894220 PMCID: PMC10609592 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102562] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are notorious foodborne pathogens, capable of causing severe diarrhea and life-threatening complications in humans. Cattle, acting as both primary reservoirs and asymptomatic carriers of STEC, predominantly harbor the pathogen in their rectoanal junction (RAJ), facilitating its transmission to humans through contaminated food sources. Despite the central role of cattle in STEC transmission, the molecular mechanisms governing STEC's adaptation in the RAJ of the asymptomatic reservoir host and its subsequent infection of human colonic epithelial cells, resulting in diarrhea, remain largely unexplored. This study aims to uncover these complicated dynamics by focusing on the STEC O157:H7 serotype within two distinct host environments, bovine RAJ cells and human colonic epithelial cells, during initial colonization. We employed comparative transcriptomics analysis to investigate differential gene expression profiles of STEC O157:H7 during interactions with these cell types. STEC O157:H7 was cultured either with bovine RAJ cells or the human colonic epithelial cell line CCD CoN 841 to simulate STEC-epithelial cell interactions within these two host species. High-throughput RNA sequencing revealed 829 and 1939 bacterial genes expressed in RAJ and CCD CoN 841, respectively. After gene filtering, 221 E. coli O157:H7 genes were upregulated during initial adherence to CCD CoN cells and 436 with RAJ cells. Furthermore, 22 genes were uniquely expressed with human cells and 155 genes with bovine cells. Our findings revealed distinct expression patterns of STEC O157:H7 genes involved in virulence, including adherence, metal iron homeostasis, and stress response during its initial adherence (i.e., six hours post-infection) to bovine RAJ cells, as opposed to human colonic epithelial cells. Additionally, the comparative analysis highlighted the potential role of some genes in host adaptation and tissue-specific pathogenicity. These findings shed new light on the potential mechanisms of STEC O157:H7 contributing to colonize the intestinal epithelium during the first six hours of infection, leading to survival and persistence in the bovine reservoir and causing disease in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lekshmi K. Edison
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Indira T. Kudva
- Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA;
| | - Subhashinie Kariyawasam
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Yang X, Fu Q, Zhang W, An Q, Zhang Z, Li H, Chen X, Chen Z, Cheng Y, Chen S, Man C, Du L, Chen Q, Wang F. Overexpression of Pasteurella multocida OmpA induces transcriptional changes and its possible implications for the macrophage polarization. Microb Pathog 2023; 183:106212. [PMID: 37353176 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a highly infectious, zoonotic pathogen. Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is an important virulence component of the outer membrane of P. multocida. OmpA mediates bacterial biofilm formation, eukaryotic cell infection, and immunomodulation. It is unclear how OmpA affects the host immune response. We estimated the role of OmpA in the pathogenesis of P. multocida by investigating the effect of OmpA on the immune cell transcriptome. Changes in the transcriptome of rat alveolar macrophages (NR8383) upon overexpression of P. multocida OmpA were demonstrated. A model cell line for stable transcription of OmpA was constructed by infecting NR8383 cells with OmpA-expressing lentivirus. RNA was extracted from cells and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq platform. Key gene analysis of genes in the RNA-seq dataset were performed using various bioinformatics methods, such as gene ontology enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and Protein-Protein Interaction Analysis. Our findings revealed 1340 differentially expressed genes. Immune-related pathways that were significantly altered in rat alveolar macrophages under the effect of OmpA included focal adhesion, extracellular matrix and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathways, antigen processing and presentation, nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. The key genes screened were Vegfa, Igf2r, Fabp5, P2rx1, C5ar1, Nedd4l, Gas6, Cxcl1, Pf4, Pdgfb, Thbs1, Col7a1, Vwf, Ccl9, and Arg1. Data of associated pathways and altered gene expression indicated that OmpA might cause the conversion of rat alveolar macrophages to M2-like. The related pathways and key genes can serve as a reference for OmpA of P. multitocida and host interaction mechanism studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Yang
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Qiaoyu Fu
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Wencan Zhang
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Qi An
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Zhenxing Zhang
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Hong Li
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Xiangying Chen
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Yiwen Cheng
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Si Chen
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Churiga Man
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Li Du
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
| | - Qiaoling Chen
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
| | - Fengyang Wang
- Hainan Key Lab of Tropical Animal Reproduction, Breeding and Epidemic Disease Research, Animal Genetic Engineering Key Lab of Haikou, School of Animal Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Grimmeisen M, Jessen-Trefzer C. Increasing the Selectivity of Light-Active Antimicrobial Agents - Or How To Get a Photosensitizer to the Desired Target. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300177. [PMID: 37132365 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300177] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Photosensitizers combine the inherent reactivity of reactive oxygen species with the sophisticated reaction control of light. Through selective targeting, these light-active molecules have the potential to overcome certain limitations in drug discovery. Ongoing advances in the synthesis and evaluation of photosensitizer conjugates with biomolecules such as antibodies, peptides, or small-molecule drugs are leading to increasingly powerful agents for the eradication of a growing number of microbial species. This review article, therefore, summarizes challenges and opportunities in the development of selective photosensitizers and their conjugates described in recent literature. This provides adequate insight for newcomers and those interested in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Grimmeisen
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Albertstraße 21, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Claudia Jessen-Trefzer
- University of Freiburg, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Albertstraße 21, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| |
Collapse
|