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Marissen J, Reichert L, Härtel C, Fortmann MI, Faust K, Msanga D, Harder J, Zemlin M, Gomez de Agüero M, Masjosthusmann K, Humberg A. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) and the Microbiome in Preterm Infants: Consequences and Opportunities for Future Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6684. [PMID: 38928389 PMCID: PMC11203687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126684] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial components of the innate immune system in various organisms, including humans. Beyond their direct antimicrobial effects, AMPs play essential roles in various physiological processes. They induce angiogenesis, promote wound healing, modulate immune responses, and serve as chemoattractants for immune cells. AMPs regulate the microbiome and combat microbial infections on the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Produced in response to microbial signals, AMPs help maintain a balanced microbial community and provide a first line of defense against infection. In preterm infants, alterations in microbiome composition have been linked to various health outcomes, including sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, atopic dermatitis, and respiratory infections. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the microbiome, can alter AMP profiles and potentially lead to inflammation-mediated diseases such as chronic lung disease and obesity. In the following review, we summarize what is known about the vital role of AMPs as multifunctional peptides in protecting newborn infants against infections and modulating the microbiome and immune response. Understanding their roles in preterm infants and high-risk populations offers the potential for innovative approaches to disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Marissen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.M.); (L.R.)
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max-Planck Research Group, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Lilith Reichert
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Christoph Härtel
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (J.M.); (L.R.)
- German Center for Infection Research, Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mats Ingmar Fortmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Lübeck, Germany; (M.I.F.); (K.F.)
| | - Kirstin Faust
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, 23538 Lübeck, Germany; (M.I.F.); (K.F.)
| | - Delfina Msanga
- Department of Pediatrics, Bugando Hospital, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza 33109, Tanzania;
| | - Jürgen Harder
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Quincke Research Center, Kiel University, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Michael Zemlin
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Medical Center, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Mercedes Gomez de Agüero
- Würzburg Institute of Systems Immunology, Max-Planck Research Group, University of Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Katja Masjosthusmann
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Alexander Humberg
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (A.H.)
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Sintoris S, Binkowska JM, Gillan JL, Zuurbier RP, Twynam-Perkins J, Kristensen M, Melrose L, Parga PL, Rodriguez AR, Chu ML, van Boeckel SR, Wildenbeest JG, Bowdish DME, Currie AJ, Thwaites RS, Schwarze J, van Houten MA, Boardman JP, Cunningham S, Bogaert D, Davidson DJ. Nasal cathelicidin is expressed in early life and is increased during mild, but not severe respiratory syncytial virus infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13928. [PMID: 38886476 PMCID: PMC11182768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64446-1] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children, causing extensive mortality and morbidity globally, with limited therapeutic or preventative options. Cathelicidins are innate immune antimicrobial host defence peptides and have antiviral activity against RSV. However, upper respiratory tract cathelicidin expression and the relationship with host and environment factors in early life, are unknown. Infant cohorts were analysed to characterise early life nasal cathelicidin levels, revealing low expression levels in the first week of life, with increased levels at 9 months which are comparable to 2-year-olds and healthy adults. No impact of prematurity on nasal cathelicidin expression was observed, nor were there effects of sex or birth mode, however, nasal cathelicidin expression was lower in the first week-of-life in winter births. Nasal cathelicidin levels were positively associated with specific inflammatory markers and demonstrated to be associated with microbial community composition. Importantly, levels of nasal cathelicidin expression were elevated in infants with mild RSV infection, but, in contrast, were not upregulated in infants hospitalised with severe RSV infection. These data suggest important relationships between nasal cathelicidin, upper airway microbiota, inflammation, and immunity against RSV infection, with interventional potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Sintoris
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Justyna M Binkowska
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Jonathan L Gillan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Roy P Zuurbier
- Spaarne Gasthuis Academy, Spaarne Gasthuis, 2134 TM, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Twynam-Perkins
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Maartje Kristensen
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lauren Melrose
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Paula Lusaretta Parga
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Alicia Ruiz Rodriguez
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Mei Ling Chu
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sara R van Boeckel
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Joanne G Wildenbeest
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dawn M E Bowdish
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph's Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue East, T2128, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Andrew J Currie
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ryan S Thwaites
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jurgen Schwarze
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | | | - James P Boardman
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Steve Cunningham
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
| | - Debby Bogaert
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Donald J Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 4 - 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, Scotland, UK.
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
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Zhuxiao R, Shuo Y, Jiangxue H, Jingjun P, Qi Z, Zhu W, Fang X, Jie Y. Antimicrobial peptide LL37 and regulatory T cell associated with late-onset sepsis in very preterm infants. iScience 2024; 27:109780. [PMID: 38736551 PMCID: PMC11088333 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy may prevent late-onset sepsis (LOS) via antimicrobial peptide LL37 secretion and regulatory T cell (Treg) regulation. The early prediction of LOS is still a challenge. This study evaluated whether immunological state of LL37 or Tregs precedes LOS. We firstly analyzed the LL37 level, Treg proportion, and LOS incidence in very preterm infants treated with autologous cord blood mononuclear cells (ACBMNCs) in our previous trial. Then, we constructed a prediction model and built validation cohort. We found ACBMNC intervention reduced the incidence of LOS from 27.3% to 6.9% (p = 0.021). LL37 and Treg abundances were higher in the ACBMNCs group. The nomogram demonstrated that early-life Treg and LL37 characteristics were closely associated with LOS (area under the curve, AUC 0.936), with implications for early prediction and timely clinical management. This composite model was also helpful to evaluate the beneficial effect of ACBMNCs intervention on LOS, thus promoting translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Zhuxiao
- Department of Neonatology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Neonatal ICU Medical Quality Control Center, National Key Clinical Specialty Construction Unit Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Shuo
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Han Jiangxue
- Department of Neonatology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Neonatal ICU Medical Quality Control Center, National Key Clinical Specialty Construction Unit Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Jingjun
- Department of Neonatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhang Qi
- Department of Clinical Genetic Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wang Zhu
- Department of Neonatology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Neonatal ICU Medical Quality Control Center, National Key Clinical Specialty Construction Unit Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xu Fang
- Department of Neonatology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Neonatal ICU Medical Quality Control Center, National Key Clinical Specialty Construction Unit Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Jie
- Department of Neonatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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