SSTP1, a Host Defense Peptide, Exploits the Immunomodulatory IL6 Pathway to Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Peptides for microbe-induced cancers: latest therapeutic strategies and their advanced technologies

Cancer is a significant global health concern associated with multiple distinct factors, including microbial and viral infections. Numerous studies have elucidated the role of microorganisms, such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), as well as viruses for example human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), in the development of human malignancies. Substantial attention has been focused on the treatment of these microorganism- and virus-associated cancers, with promising outcomes observed in studies employing peptide-based therapies. The current paper provides an overview of microbe- and virus-induced cancers and their underlying molecular mechanisms. We discuss an assortment of peptide-based therapies which are currently being developed, including tumor-targeting peptides and microbial/viral peptide-based vaccines. We describe the major technological advancements that have been made in the design, screening, and delivery of peptides as anticancer agents. The primary focus of the current review is to provide insight into the latest research and development in this field and to provide a realistic glimpse into the future of peptide-based therapies for microbe- and virus-induced neoplasms.

An insight into sex-specific neurotoxicity and molecular mechanisms of DEHP: A critical review

Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) is often used as an additive in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to give plastics flexibility, which makes DEHP widely used in food packaging, daily necessities, medical equipment, and other products. However, due to the unstable combination of DEHP and polymer, it will migrate to the environment in the materials and eventually contact the human body. It has been recorded that low-dose DEHP will increase neurotoxicity in the nervous system, and the human health effects of DEHP have been paid attention to because of the extensive exposure to DEHP and its high absorption during brain development. In this study, we review the evidence that DEHP exposure is associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities and neurological diseases based on human epidemiological and animal behavioral studies. Besides, we also summarized the oxidative damage, apoptosis, and signal transduction disorder related to neurobehavioral abnormalities and nerve injury, and described the potential mechanisms of neurotoxicity caused by DEHP. Overall, we found exposure to DEHP during the critical developmental period will increase the risk of neurobehavioral abnormalities, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. This effect is sex-specific and will continue to adulthood and even have an intergenerational effect. However, the research results on the sex-dependence of DEHP neurotoxicity are inconsistent, and there is a lack of systematic mechanisms research as theoretical support. Future investigations need to be carried out in a large-scale population and model organisms to produce more consistent and convincing results. And we emphasize the importance of mechanism research, which can enhance the understanding of the environmental and human health risks of DEHP exposure.

Truncated Pleurocidin Derivative with High Pepsin Hydrolysis Resistance to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

The global prevalence of antimicrobial resistance calls for the development of novel antimicrobial agents, particularly for these orally available drugs. Structural modifications of the natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a straightforward approach to develop potent antimicrobial agents with high specificity and low toxicity. In this study, we truncated 11-amino-acids at the C-terminus of Pleurocidin, an AMP produced by Pleuronectes americanus, and obtained four peptide analogues termed GK-1, GK-2, GK-3 and GK-4. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests showed that GK-1 obtained by direct truncation of Pleurocidin has no antibacterial activity, while GK-2, GK-3 and GK-4 show considerable antibacterial activity with Pleurocidin. Notably, GK-4 displays rapid bacteriostatic activity, great stability and low hemolysis, as well as enhanced hydrolytic resistance to pepsin treatment. Mechanistic studies showed that GK-4 induces membrane damage by interacting with bacterial membrane-specific components, dissipates bacterial membrane potential and promotes the generation of ROS. SEM and CD analysis further confirmed the ability of GK-4 to resist pepsin hydrolysis, which may be attributed to its stable helicity structure. Collectively, our findings reveal that GK-4 is a potential orally available candidate to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.