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Szymczak K, Woźniak-Pawlikowska A, Burzyńska N, Król M, Zhang L, Nakonieczna J, Grinholc M. Decrease of ESKAPE virulence with a cationic heme-mimetic gallium porphyrin photosensitizer: The Trojan horse strategy that could help address antimicrobial resistance. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2024; 256:112928. [PMID: 38723545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.112928] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emerging antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens has forced an urgent need for alternative non-antibiotic strategies development that could combat drug resistant-associated infections. Suppression of virulence of ESKAPE pathogens' by targeting multiple virulence traits provides a promising approach. OBJECTIVES Here we propose an iron-blocking antibacterial therapy based on a cationic heme-mimetic gallium porphyrin (GaCHP), which antibacterial efficacy could be further enhanced by photodynamic inactivation. METHODS We used gallium heme mimetic porphyrin (GaCHP) excited with light to significantly reduce microbial viability and suppress both the expression and biological activity of several virulence traits of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative ESKAPE representatives, i.e., S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Moreover, further improvement of the proposed strategy by combining it with routinely used antimicrobials to resensitize the microbes to antibiotics and provide enhanced bactericidal efficacy was investigated. RESULTS The proposed strategy led to substantial inactivation of critical priority pathogens and has been evidenced to suppress the expression and biological activity of multiple virulence factors in S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Finally, the combination of GaCHP phototreatment and antibiotics resulted in promising strategy to overcome antibiotic resistance of the studied microbes and to enhance disinfection of drug resistant pathogens. CONCLUSION Lastly, considering high safety aspects of the proposed treatment toward host cells, i.e., lack of mutagenicity, no dark toxicity and mild phototoxicity, we describe an efficient alternative that simultaneously suppresses the functionality of multiple virulence factors in ESKAPE pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Szymczak
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Agata Woźniak-Pawlikowska
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Natalia Burzyńska
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Król
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Joanna Nakonieczna
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Mariusz Grinholc
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland.
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Badillo-Larios NS, Turrubiartes-Martínez EA, Layseca-Espinosa E, González-Amaro R, Pérez-González LF, Niño-Moreno P. Interesting Cytokine Profile Caused by Clinical Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MDR Carrying the exoU Gene. Int J Microbiol 2024; 2024:2748842. [PMID: 38974708 PMCID: PMC11227949 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2748842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in HAIs with two facets: the most studied is the high rate of antimicrobial resistance, and the less explored is the long list of virulence factors it possesses. This study aimed to characterize the virulence genes carried by strains as well as the profile of cytokines related to inflammation, according to the resistance profile presented. This study aims to identify the virulence factors associated with MDR strains, particularly those resistant to carbapenems, and assess whether there is a cytokine profile that correlates with these characteristics. As methodology species were identified by classical microbiological techniques and confirmed by molecular biology, resistance levels were determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration and identification of MDR strains. Virulence factor genotyping was performed using PCR. In addition, biofilm production was assessed using crystal violet staining. Finally, the strains were cocultured with PBMC, and cell survival and the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, and TNF-α were quantified using flow cytometry. Bacteremia and nosocomial pneumonia in adults are the most frequent types of infection. In the toxigenic aspect, genes corresponding to the type III secretion system were present in at least 50% of cases. In addition, PBMC exposed to strains of four different categories according to their resistance and toxicity showed a differential pattern of cytokine expression, a decrease in IL-10, IL-6, and IL-8, and an over-secretion of IL-1b. In conclusion, the virulence genes showed a differentiated appearance for the two most aggressive exotoxins of T3SS (exoU and exoS) in multidrug-resistant strains. Moreover, the cytokine profile displays a low expression of cytokines with anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory effects in strains carrying the exoU gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nallely S. Badillo-Larios
- Center of Research in Health Sciences and BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Edgar Alejandro Turrubiartes-Martínez
- Center of Research in Health Sciences and BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Laboratory of Hematology, Faculty of Chemical SciencesAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Esther Layseca-Espinosa
- Center of Research in Health Sciences and BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Faculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Roberto González-Amaro
- Center of Research in Health Sciences and BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Faculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Pérez-González
- Faculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Central Hospital Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
| | - Perla Niño-Moreno
- Center of Research in Health Sciences and BiomedicineFaculty of MedicineAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
- Genetics LaboratoryFaculty of Chemical SciencesAutonomous University of San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
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Popoff MR. Overview of Bacterial Protein Toxins from Pathogenic Bacteria: Mode of Action and Insights into Evolution. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:182. [PMID: 38668607 PMCID: PMC11054074 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial protein toxins are secreted by certain bacteria and are responsible for mild to severe diseases in humans and animals. They are among the most potent molecules known, which are active at very low concentrations. Bacterial protein toxins exhibit a wide diversity based on size, structure, and mode of action. Upon recognition of a cell surface receptor (protein, glycoprotein, and glycolipid), they are active either at the cell surface (signal transduction, membrane damage by pore formation, or hydrolysis of membrane compound(s)) or intracellularly. Various bacterial protein toxins have the ability to enter cells, most often using an endocytosis mechanism, and to deliver the effector domain into the cytosol, where it interacts with an intracellular target(s). According to the nature of the intracellular target(s) and type of modification, various cellular effects are induced (cell death, homeostasis modification, cytoskeleton alteration, blockade of exocytosis, etc.). The various modes of action of bacterial protein toxins are illustrated with representative examples. Insights in toxin evolution are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel R Popoff
- Unité des Toxines Bactériennes, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 2001 INSERM U1306, F-75015 Paris, France
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4
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Elfadadny A, Ragab RF, AlHarbi M, Badshah F, Ibáñez-Arancibia E, Farag A, Hendawy AO, De los Ríos-Escalante PR, Aboubakr M, Zakai SA, Nageeb WM. Antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: navigating clinical impacts, current resistance trends, and innovations in breaking therapies. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1374466. [PMID: 38646632 PMCID: PMC11026690 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1374466] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium, is recognized for its adaptability and opportunistic nature. It poses a substantial challenge in clinical settings due to its complicated antibiotic resistance mechanisms, biofilm formation, and capacity for persistent infections in both animal and human hosts. Recent studies revealed a potential zoonotic transmission of P. aeruginosa between animals, the environment, and human populations which highlights awareness of this microbe. Implementation of the One Health approach, which underscores the connection between human, animal, and environmental health, we aim to offer a comprehensive perspective on the current landscape of P. aeruginosa management. This review presents innovative strategies designed to counteract P. aeruginosa infections. Traditional antibiotics, while effective in many cases, are increasingly compromised by the development of multidrug-resistant strains. Non-antibiotic avenues, such as quorum sensing inhibition, phage therapy, and nanoparticle-based treatments, are emerging as promising alternatives. However, their clinical application encounters obstacles like cost, side effects, and safety concerns. Effectively addressing P. aeruginosa infections necessitates persistent research efforts, advancements in clinical development, and a comprehension of host-pathogen interactions to deal with this resilient pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elfadadny
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Rokaia F. Ragab
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Maha AlHarbi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farhad Badshah
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Eliana Ibáñez-Arancibia
- PhD Program in Sciences Mentioning Applied Molecular and Cell Biology, La Frontera University, Temuco, Chile
- Laboratory of Engineering, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry – LIBBA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, La Frontera University, Temuco, Chile
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Ahmed Farag
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Amin Omar Hendawy
- Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Patricio R. De los Ríos-Escalante
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile
- Nucleus of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, Catholic University of Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Mohamed Aboubakr
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, Qaliobiya, Egypt
| | - Shadi A. Zakai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wedad M. Nageeb
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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Xu Q, Kang D, Meyer MD, Pennington CL, Gopal C, Schertzer JW, Kirienko NV. Cytotoxic rhamnolipid micelles drive acute virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0040723. [PMID: 38391248 PMCID: PMC10929412 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00407-23] [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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that has developed multi- or even pan-drug resistance toward most frontline and last resort antibiotics, leading to increasing frequency of infections and deaths among hospitalized patients, especially those with compromised immune systems. Further complicating treatment, P. aeruginosa produces numerous virulence factors that contribute to host tissue damage and immune evasion, promoting bacterial colonization and pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of rhamnolipid production in host-pathogen interactions. Secreted rhamnolipids form micelles that exhibited highly acute toxicity toward murine macrophages, rupturing the plasma membrane and causing organellar membrane damage within minutes of exposure. While rhamnolipid micelles (RMs) were particularly toxic to macrophages, they also caused membrane damage in human lung epithelial cells, red blood cells, Gram-positive bacteria, and even noncellular models like giant plasma membrane vesicles. Most importantly, rhamnolipid production strongly correlated with P. aeruginosa virulence against murine macrophages in various panels of clinical isolates. Altogether, our findings suggest that rhamnolipid micelles are highly cytotoxic virulence factors that drive acute cellular damage and immune evasion during P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xu
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Donghoon Kang
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew D. Meyer
- Shared Equipment Authority, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Citrupa Gopal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey W. Schertzer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
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Kang D, Xu Q, Kirienko NV. In vitro lung epithelial cell model reveals novel roles for Pseudomonas aeruginosa siderophores. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0369323. [PMID: 38311809 PMCID: PMC10913452 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03693-23] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The multidrug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common nosocomial respiratory pathogen that continues to threaten the lives of patients with mechanical ventilation in intensive care units and those with underlying comorbidities such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For over 20 years, studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the major siderophore pyoverdine is an important virulence factor for P. aeruginosa in invertebrate and mammalian hosts in vivo. Despite its physiological significance, an in vitro, mammalian cell culture model that can be used to characterize the impact and molecular mechanisms of pyoverdine-mediated virulence has only been developed very recently. In this study, we adapt a previously-established, murine macrophage-based model to use human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells. We demonstrate that conditioned medium from P. aeruginosa induced rapid 16HBE cell death through the pyoverdine-dependent secretion of cytotoxic rhamnolipids. Genetic or chemical disruption of pyoverdine biosynthesis decreased rhamnolipid production and mitigated cell death. Consistent with these observations, chemical depletion of lipids or genetic disruption of rhamnolipid biosynthesis abrogated the toxicity of the conditioned medium. Furthermore, we also examine the effects of exposure to purified pyoverdine on 16HBE cells. While pyoverdine accumulated within cells, it was largely sequestered within early endosomes, resulting in minimal cytotoxicity. More membrane-permeable iron chelators, such as the siderophore pyochelin, decreased epithelial cell viability and upregulated several pro-inflammatory genes. However, pyoverdine potentiated these iron chelators in activating pro-inflammatory pathways. Altogether, these findings suggest that the siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin play distinct roles in virulence during acute P. aeruginosa lung infection. IMPORTANCE Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile bacterium that frequently causes lung infections. This pathogen is life-threatening to mechanically-ventilated patients in intensive care units and is a debilitating burden for individuals with cystic fibrosis. However, the role of P. aeruginosa virulence factors and their regulation during infection are not fully understood. Previous murine lung infection studies have demonstrated that the production of siderophores (e.g., pyoverdine and pyochelin) is necessary for full P. aeruginosa virulence. In this report, we provide further mechanistic insight into this phenomenon. We characterize distinct and novel ways these siderophores contribute to virulence using an in vitro human lung epithelial cell culture model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghoon Kang
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
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Park SG, Lee HB, Kang S. Development of plug-and-deliverable intracellular protein delivery platforms based on botulinum neurotoxin. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129622. [PMID: 38266854 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129622] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Intracellular protein delivery systems have great potential in the fields of therapeutics development and biomedical research. However, targeted delivery, passing through the cell membrane without damaging the cells, and escaping from endosomal entrapment of endocytosed molecular cargos are major challenges of the system. Here, we present a novel intracellular protein delivery system based on modularly engineered botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A). LHNA domain, consisting of light chain and endosomal escape machinery of BoNT/A, was genetically fused with SpyCatcher (SC) and EGFR targeting affibody (EGFRAfb) to create SC-LHNA-EGFRAfb, a target-specific and protein cargo-switchable BoNT/A-based intracellular protein delivery platform. SC-LHNA-EGFRAfb was purely purified in large quantities, efficiently ligated with multiple ST-fused protein cargos individually, generating a variety of protein cargo-containing intracellular delivery complexes, and successfully delivered ligated protein cargos into the cytosol of target cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis, followed by endosomal escape and subsequent cytosolic delivery. SC-LHNA-EGFRAfb enhanced intracellular delivery efficiency of protein toxin, gelonin, by approximately 100-fold, highlighting the crucial roles of EGFRAfb and LHNA domain as a targeting ligand and an endosomal escape machinery, respectively, in the delivery process. The BoNT-based plug-and-deliverable intracellular protein delivery system has the potential to expand its applications in protein therapeutics and manipulating cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Guk Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Bin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sebyung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Panahi Z, Owrang M, Goli HR. Significant role of pyocyanin and exotoxin A in the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from hospitalized patients. Folia Med (Plovdiv) 2024; 66:88-96. [PMID: 38426470 DOI: 10.3897/folmed.66.e111038] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM Due to the importance of exotoxin A and pyocyanin in the pathogenicity of this bacterium, we decided to evaluate the prevalence of genes encoding these virulence factors in clinical isolates of P.aeruginosa.
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9
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Salem M, Younis G, Sadat A, Nouh NAT, Binjawhar DN, Abdel-Daim MM, Elbadawy M, Awad A. Dissemination of mcr-1 and β-lactamase genes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular characterization of MDR strains in broiler chicks and dead-in-shell chicks infections. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2024; 23:9. [PMID: 38281970 PMCID: PMC10823725 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-024-00669-4] [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: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most serious pathogens implicated in antimicrobial resistance, and it has been identified as an ESKAPE along with other extremely significant multidrug resistance pathogens. The present study was carried out to explore prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility phenotypes, virulence-associated genes, integron (int1), colistin (mcr-1), and β-lactamase resistance' genes (ESBls), as well as biofilm profiling of P. aeruginosa isolated from broiler chicks and dead in-shell chicks. DESIGN A total of 300 samples from broiler chicks (n = 200) and dead in-shell chicks (n = 100) collected from different farms and hatcheries located at Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt were included in this study. Bacteriological examination was performed by cultivation of the samples on the surface of both Cetrimide and MacConkey's agar. Presumptive colonies were then subjected to biochemical tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting 16S rRNA. The recovered isolates were tested for the presence of three selected virulence-associated genes (lasB, toxA, and exoS). Furthermore, the retrieved isolates were subjected to phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as well as phenotypic detection of ESBLs by both Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) and the Phenotypic Confirmatory Disc Diffusion Test (PCDDT). P. aeruginosa isolates were then tested for the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs): int1, mcr-1, and ESBL genes (OXA-10, OXA-2, VEB-1, SHV, TEM, and CTX-M). Additionally, biofilm production was examined by the Tube Adherent method (TA) and Microtiter Plate assay (MTP). RESULTS Fifty -five isolates were confirmed to be P. aeruginosa, including 35 isolates from broiler chicks and 20 isolates from dead in-shell chicks. The three tested virulence genes (lasB, toxA, and exoS) were detected in all isolates. Antibiogram results showed complete resistance against penicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, streptomycin, erythromycin, spectinomycin, and doxycycline, while a higher sensitivity was observed against meropenem, imipenem, colistin sulfate, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin. ESBL production was confirmed in 12 (21.8%) and 15 (27.3%) isolates by DDST and PCDDT, respectively. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs): int1, mcr-1, and ESBL genes (OXA-10, SHV, TEM, and CTX-M), were detected in 87.3%, 18.2%, 16.4%, 69.1%, 72.7%, and 54.5% of the examined isolates respectively, whereas no isolate harbored the OXA-2 or VEB-1 genes. Based on the results of both methods used for detection of biofilm formation, Kappa statistics [kappa 0.324] revealed a poor agreement between both methods. CONCLUSIONS the emergence of mcr-1 and its coexistence with other resistance genes such as β-lactamase genes, particularly blaOXA-10, for the first time in P. aeruginosa from young broiler chicks and dead in-shell chicks in Egypt pose a risk not only to the poultry industry but also to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Salem
- Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Gamal Younis
- Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Asmaa Sadat
- Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Nehal Ahmed Talaat Nouh
- Program Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Batterjee Medical College, 21442, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Inpatient Pharmacy, Mansoura University Hospitals, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Dalal Nasser Binjawhar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, 11671, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, P.O. Box 6231, 21442, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elbadawy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, 13736, Elqaliobiya, Egypt
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Amal Awad
- Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
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10
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Ungor I, Apidianakis Y. Bacterial synergies and antagonisms affecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence in the human lung, skin and intestine. Future Microbiol 2024; 19:141-155. [PMID: 37843410 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0155] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires a significant breach in the host defense to cause an infection. While its virulence factors are well studied, its tropism cannot be explained only by studying its interaction with the host. Why are P. aeruginosa infections so rare in the intestine compared with the lung and skin? There is not enough evidence to claim specificity in virulence factors deployed by P. aeruginosa in each anatomical site, and host physiology differences between the lung and the intestine cannot easily explain the observed differences in virulence. This perspective highlights a relatively overlooked parameter in P. aeruginosa virulence, namely, potential synergies with bacteria found in the human skin and lung, as well as antagonisms with bacteria of the human intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izel Ungor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, 2109, Cyprus
| | - Yiorgos Apidianakis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, 2109, Cyprus
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11
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Kinkar OU, Kumar A, Prashar A, Yadav B, Hadapad AB, Hire RS, Makde RD. The crystal structure of insecticidal protein Txp40 from Xenorhabdus nematophila reveals a two-domain unique binary toxin with homology to the toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 164:104045. [PMID: 38040266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.104045] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Txp40 is a ubiquitous, conserved, and novel toxin from Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria, toxic to a wide range of insect pests. However, the three-dimensional structure and toxicity mechanism for Txp40 or any of its sequence homologs are not yet known. Here, we are reporting the crystal structure of the insecticidal protein Txp40 from Xenorhabdus nematophila at 2.08 Å resolution. The Txp40 was structurally distinct from currently known insecticidal proteins. Txp40 consists of two structurally different domains, an N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD), primarily joined by a 33-residue long linker peptide. Txp40 displayed proteolytic propensity. Txp40 gets proteolyzed, removing the linker peptide, which is essential for proper crystal packing. NTD adopts a novel fold composed of nine amphipathic helices and has no shared sequence or structural homology to any known proteins. CTD has structural homology with RNases of type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) complex belonging to the RelE/ParE toxin domain superfamily. NTD and CTD were individually toxic to Galleria mellonella larvae. However, maximal toxicity was observed when both domains were present. Our results suggested that the Txp40 acts as a two-domain binary toxin, which is unique and different from any known binary toxins and insecticidal proteins. Txp40 is also unique because it belongs to the prokaryotic RelE/ParE toxin family with a toxic effect on eukaryotic organisms, in contrast to other members of the same family. Broad insect specificity and unique binary toxin complex formation make Txp40 a viable candidate to overcome the development of resistance in insect pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omkar U Kinkar
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, Maharashtra, India; Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Arpit Prashar
- Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Beena Yadav
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ashok B Hadapad
- Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ramesh S Hire
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, Maharashtra, India; Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, Maharashtra, India; Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, Maharashtra, India.
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12
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MacGillivray KA, Ng SL, Wiesenfeld S, Guest RL, Jubery T, Silhavy TJ, Ratcliff WC, Hammer BK. Trade-offs constrain adaptive pathways to the type VI secretion system survival. iScience 2023; 26:108332. [PMID: 38025790 PMCID: PMC10679819 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108332] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) is a nano-harpoon used by many bacteria to inject toxins into neighboring cells. While much is understood about mechanisms of T6SS-mediated toxicity, less is known about the ways that competitors can defend themselves against this attack, especially in the absence of their own T6SS. Here we subjected eight replicate populations of Escherichia coli to T6SS attack by Vibrio cholerae. Over ∼500 generations of competition, isolates of the E. coli populations evolved to survive T6SS attack an average of 27-fold better, through two convergently evolved pathways: apaH was mutated in six of the eight replicate populations, while the other two populations each had mutations in both yejM and yjeP. However, the mutations we identified are pleiotropic, reducing cellular growth rates, and increasing susceptibility to antibiotics and elevated pH. These trade-offs help us understand how the T6SS shapes the evolution of bacterial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A. MacGillivray
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Siu Lung Ng
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sophia Wiesenfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Randi L. Guest
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Tahrima Jubery
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas J. Silhavy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - William C. Ratcliff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian K. Hammer
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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13
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Zheng X, Fang Y, Zou X, Wang X, Li Z. Therapeutic potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-mannose sensitive hemagglutinin (PA-MSHA) in cancer treatment. Microb Pathog 2023; 185:106422. [PMID: 37871855 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacteria and it has been demonstrated that immunization with the outer membrane proteins of the microbe produces most of the relevant human antibodies. The peritrichous P. aeruginosa strain with MSHA fimbriae (PA-MSHA strain) has been found to be effective in the inhibition of growth and proliferation of different types of cancer cells. Furthermore, it has been revealed that PA-MSHA exhibits cytotoxicity because of the presence of MSHA and therefore it possesses anti-carcinogenic ability against different types of human cancer cell lines including, gastric, breast, hepatocarcinoma and nasopharyngeal cells. Studies have revealed that PA-MSHA exhibits therapeutic potential against cancer growth by induction of apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle, activating NF-κB/TLR5 pathway, etc. In China, PA-MSHA injections have been approved for the treatment of malignant tumor patients from very long back. The present review article demonstrates the therapeutic potential of PA-MSHA against various types of human cancers and explains the underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zheng
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guo Xue Street, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yiqiao Fang
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guo Xue Street, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiuhe Zou
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guo Xue Street, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guo Xue Street, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guo Xue Street, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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14
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Secker B, Shaw S, Atterbury RJ. Pseudomonas spp. in Canine Otitis Externa. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2650. [PMID: 38004662 PMCID: PMC10673570 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112650] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine otitis externa (OE) is a commonly diagnosed condition seen in veterinary practice worldwide. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of the disease, with a particular focus on the biological characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the impact that antibiotic resistance has on successful recovery from OE. We also consider potential alternatives to antimicrobial chemotherapy for the treatment of recalcitrant infections. P. aeruginosa is not a typical constituent of the canine ear microbiota, but is frequently isolated from cases of chronic OE, and the nature of this pathogen often makes treatment difficult. Biofilm formation is identified in 40-95% of P. aeruginosa from cases of OE and intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, especially resistance to clinically important antibiotics, highlights the need for alternative treatments. The role of other virulence factors in OE remains relatively unexplored and further work is needed. The studies described in this work highlight several potential alternative treatments, including the use of bacteriophages. This review provides a summary of the aetiology of OE with particular reference to the dysbiosis that leads to colonisation by P. aeruginosa and highlights the need for novel treatments for the future management of P. aeruginosa otitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Secker
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK; (B.S.); (S.S.)
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Stephen Shaw
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK; (B.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Robert J. Atterbury
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, College Road, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK; (B.S.); (S.S.)
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15
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Kang D, Xu Q, Kirienko NV. In vitro Lung Epithelial Cell Model Reveals Novel Roles for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Siderophores. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.26.525796. [PMID: 36747656 PMCID: PMC9901015 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common nosocomial respiratory pathogen that continues to threaten the lives of patients with mechanical ventilation in intensive care units and those with underlying comorbidities such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For over 20 years, studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the major siderophore pyoverdine is an important virulence factor for P. aeruginosa in invertebrate and mammalian hosts in vivo. Despite its physiological significance, an in vitro, mammalian cell culture model to characterize the impact and molecular mechanism of pyoverdine-mediated virulence has only been developed very recently. In this study, we adapt a previously-established, murine macrophage-based model for human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE). We demonstrate that conditioned medium from P. aeruginosa induced rapid 16HBE cell death through the pyoverdine-dependent secretion of cytotoxic rhamnolipids. Genetic or chemical disruption of pyoverdine biosynthesis decreased rhamnolipid production and mitigated cell death. Consistent with these observations, chemical depletion of lipid factors or genetic disruption of rhamnolipid biosynthesis was sufficient to abrogate conditioned medium toxicity. Furthermore, we also examine the effects of purified pyoverdine exposure on 16HBE cells. While pyoverdine accumulated within cells, the siderophore was largely sequestered within early endosomes, showing minimal cytotoxicity. More membrane-permeable iron chelators, such as the siderophore pyochelin, decreased epithelial cell viability and upregulated several proinflammatory genes. However, pyoverdine potentiated these iron chelators in activating proinflammatory pathways. Altogether, these findings suggest that the siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin play distinct roles in virulence during acute P. aeruginosa lung infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghoon Kang
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
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16
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Pinilla M, Mazars R, Vergé R, Gorse L, Paradis M, Suire B, Santoni K, Robinson KS, Toh GA, Prouvensier L, Leon-Icaza SA, Hessel A, Péricat D, Murris M, Guet-Revillet H, Henras A, Buyck J, Ravet E, Zhong FL, Cougoule C, Planès R, Meunier E. EEF2-inactivating toxins engage the NLRP1 inflammasome and promote epithelial barrier disruption. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20230104. [PMID: 37642996 PMCID: PMC10465324 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Human airway and corneal epithelial cells, which are critically altered during chronic infections mediated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, specifically express the inflammasome sensor NLRP1. Here, together with a companion study, we report that the NLRP1 inflammasome detects exotoxin A (EXOA), a ribotoxin released by P. aeruginosa type 2 secretion system (T2SS), during chronic infection. Mechanistically, EXOA-driven eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2) ribosylation and covalent inactivation promote ribotoxic stress and subsequent NLRP1 inflammasome activation, a process shared with other EEF2-inactivating toxins, diphtheria toxin and cholix toxin. Biochemically, irreversible EEF2 inactivation triggers ribosome stress-associated kinases ZAKα- and P38-dependent NLRP1 phosphorylation and subsequent proteasome-driven functional degradation. Finally, cystic fibrosis cells from patients exhibit exacerbated P38 activity and hypersensitivity to EXOA-induced ribotoxic stress-dependent NLRP1 inflammasome activation, a process inhibited by the use of ZAKα inhibitors. Altogether, our results show the importance of P. aeruginosa virulence factor EXOA at promoting NLRP1-dependent epithelial damage and identify ZAKα as a critical sensor of virulence-inactivated EEF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pinilla
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Raoul Mazars
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Romain Vergé
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Leana Gorse
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Margaux Paradis
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Bastien Suire
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Karin Santoni
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Kim Samirah Robinson
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gee Ann Toh
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laure Prouvensier
- UFR Medicine and Pharmacy, INSERM U1070, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Audrey Hessel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - David Péricat
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Marlène Murris
- Department of Pneumology, Hospital Larrey, Toulouse, France
- University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Anthony Henras
- Center of Integrative Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Julien Buyck
- UFR Medicine and Pharmacy, INSERM U1070, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Franklin L. Zhong
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Céline Cougoule
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Rémi Planès
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- Invivogen, Toulouse, France
| | - Etienne Meunier
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
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17
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Iwański B, Andrejko M. Changes in the apolipophorin III in Galleria mellonella larvae treated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 149:104536. [PMID: 37414244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104536] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we have demonstrated a correlation in time between changes in the amount of apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) in the fat body and hemocytes of Galleria mellonella larvae challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (exoA). An increase in the amount of apoLp-III was detected 1-8 h after the challenge; then, a temporary decrease was observed after 15 h followed by an increase in the level of apoLp-III, however to a different extent. The profile of apoLp-III forms in the hemolymph, hemocytes, and fat body of the exoA-challenged larvae was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis (IEF/SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting with anti-apoLp-III antibodies. Two apoLp-III forms differing in isoelectric point values estimated at ∼ 6.5 and ∼ 6.1 in the hemolymph and ∼ 6.5 and ∼ 5.9 in the hemocytes as well as one isoform with pI ∼ 6.5 in the fat body with an additional apoLp-III-derived polypeptide with estimated pI ∼ 6.9 were detected in the control insects. The injection of exoA caused a significant decrease in the abundance of both apoLp-III isoforms in the insect hemolymph. In the hemocytes, a decrease in the amount of the pI ∼ 5.9 isoform was detected, while the major apoLp-III isoform (pI ∼ 6.5) remained unchanged. In addition, appearance of an additional apoLp-III-derived polypeptide with an estimated pI ∼ 5.2 was observed. Interestingly, there were no statistically significant differences in the amount of the main isoform in the fat body between the control and exoA-challenged insects, but the polypeptide with pI ∼ 6.9 disappeared completely. It should be noted that the decrease in the amount of apoLp-III and other proteins was especially noticeable at the time points when exoA was detected in the studied tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Iwański
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Mariola Andrejko
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19 St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
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18
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Tian S, Zhou N. Gaining New Insights into Fundamental Biological Pathways by Bacterial Toxin-Based Genetic Screens. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:884. [PMID: 37627769 PMCID: PMC10451959 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10080884] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic screen technology has been applied to study the mechanism of action of bacterial toxins-a special class of virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis caused by bacterial infections. These screens aim to identify host factors that directly or indirectly facilitate toxin intoxication. Additionally, specific properties of certain toxins, such as membrane interaction, retrograde trafficking, and carbohydrate binding, provide robust probes to comprehensively investigate the lipid biosynthesis, membrane vesicle transport, and glycosylation pathways, respectively. This review specifically focuses on recent representative toxin-based genetic screens that have identified new players involved in and provided new insights into fundamental biological pathways, such as glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, protein glycosylation, and membrane vesicle trafficking pathways. Functionally characterizing these newly identified factors not only expands our current understanding of toxin biology but also enables a deeper comprehension of fundamental biological questions. Consequently, it stimulates the development of new therapeutic approaches targeting both bacterial infectious diseases and genetic disorders with defects in these factors and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhai Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nini Zhou
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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19
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Yin L, Thaker H. Cancer Drug Delivery Systems Using Bacterial Toxin Translocation Mechanisms. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:813. [PMID: 37508840 PMCID: PMC10376142 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070813] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in targeted cancer therapy hold great promise for both research and clinical applications and push the boundaries in finding new treatments for various currently incurable cancers. However, these therapies require specific cell-targeting mechanisms for the efficient delivery of drug cargo across the cell membrane to reach intracellular targets and avoid diffusion to unwanted tissues. Traditional drug delivery systems suffer from a limited ability to travel across the barriers posed by cell membranes and, therefore, there is a need for high doses, which are associated with adverse reactions and safety concerns. Bacterial toxins have evolved naturally to specifically target cell subtypes via their receptor binding module, penetrating the cell membrane efficiently through the membrane translocation process and then successfully delivering the toxic cargo into the host cytosol. They have, thus, been harnessed for the delivery of various drugs. In this review, we focus on bacterial toxin translocation mechanisms and recent progress in the targeted delivery systems of cancer therapy drugs that have been inspired by the receptor binding and membrane translocation processes of the anthrax toxin protective antigen, diphtheria toxin, and Pseudomonas exotoxin A. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of these studies that should be addressed before bacterial toxin-based drug delivery systems can become a viable new generation of drug delivery approaches in clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxiang Yin
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hatim Thaker
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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20
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Masilamani AP, Huber N, Nagl C, Dettmer-Monaco V, Monaco G, Wolf I, Schultze-Seemann S, Taromi S, Gratzke C, Fuchs H, Wolf P. Enhanced cytotoxicity of a Pseudomonas Exotoxin A based immunotoxin against prostate cancer by addition of the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1211824. [PMID: 37484018 PMCID: PMC10358361 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1211824] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins consist of an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a specific cell surface structure and a cytotoxic domain that kills the cell after cytosolic uptake. Pseudomonas Exotoxin A (PE) based immunotoxins directed against a variety of tumor entities have successfully entered the clinic. PE possesses a KDEL-like motif (REDLK) that enables the toxin to travel from sorting endosomes via the KDEL-receptor pathway to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), from where it is transported into the cytosol. There, it ADP-ribosylates the eukaryotic elongation factor 2, resulting in ribosome inhibition and finally apoptosis. One major problem of immunotoxins is their lysosomal degradation causing the need for much more immunotoxin molecules than finally required for induction of cell death. The resulting dose limitations and substantially increased side effects require new strategies to achieve improved cytosolic uptake. Here we generated an immunotoxin consisting of a humanized single chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and the de-immunized PE variant PE24mut. This immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mut, showed high and specific cytotoxicity in PSMA-expressing prostate cancer cells. We deleted the REDLK sequence to prevent transport to the ER and achieve endosomal entrapment. The cytotoxicity of this immunotoxin, hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK, was greatly reduced. To restore activity, we added the endosomal escape enhancer SO1861 and observed an up to 190,000-fold enhanced cytotoxicity corresponding to a 57-fold enhancement compared to the initial immunotoxin with the REDLK sequence. A biodistribution study with different routes of administration clearly showed that the subcutaneous injection of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK in mice resulted in the highest tumor uptake. Treatment of mice bearing prostate tumors with a combination of hD7-1(VL-VH)-PE24mutΔREDLK plus SO1861 resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and enhanced overall survival compared to the monotherapies. The endosomal entrapment of non-toxic anti-PSMA immunotoxins followed by enhanced endosomal escape by SO1861 provides new therapeutic options in the future management of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anie P. Masilamani
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nathalie Huber
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Nagl
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Viviane Dettmer-Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gianni Monaco
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Gene Therapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isis Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty for Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Schultze-Seemann
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sanaz Taromi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Medicine I, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, University Furtwangen, VS-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Christian Gratzke
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Fuchs
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wolf
- Department of Urology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Granot-Matok Y, Ezra A, Ramishetti S, Sharma P, Naidu GS, Benhar I, Peer D. Lipid nanoparticles-loaded with toxin mRNA represents a new strategy for the treatment of solid tumors. Theranostics 2023; 13:3497-3508. [PMID: 37441597 PMCID: PMC10334842 DOI: 10.7150/thno.82228] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and rationale: Cancer therapy have evolved remarkably over the past decade, providing new strategies to inhibit cancer cell growth using immune modulation, with or without gene therapy. Specifically, suicide gene therapies and immunotoxins have been investigated for the treatment of tumors by direct cancer cell cytotoxicity. Recent advances in mRNA delivery also demonstrated the potential of mRNA-based vaccines and immune-modulators for cancer therapeutics by utilizing nanocarriers for mRNA delivery. Methods: We designed a bacterial toxin-encoding modified mRNA, delivered by lipid nanoparticles into a B16-melanoma mouse model. Results: We showed that local administration of LNPs entrapping a modified mRNA that encodes for a bacterial toxin, induced significant anti-tumor effects and improved overall survival of treated mice. Conclusions: We propose mmRNA-loaded LNPs as a new class of anti-tumoral, toxin-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Granot-Matok
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Assaf Ezra
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Srinivas Ramishetti
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Preeti Sharma
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Gonna Somu Naidu
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Itai Benhar
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Laboratory of Antibody Engineering, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dan Peer
- Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine, Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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22
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Juncker T, Chatton B, Donzeau M. The Prodigious Potential of mRNA Electrotransfer as a Substitute to Conventional DNA-Based Transient Transfection. Cells 2023; 12:1591. [PMID: 37371061 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121591] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient transfection of foreign DNA is the most widely used laboratory technique to study gene function and product. However, the transfection efficiency depends on many parameters, including DNA quantity and quality, transfection methods and target cell lines. Here, we describe the considerable advantage of mRNA electroporation compared to conventional DNA-based systems. Indeed, our methodology offers extremely high transfection efficiency up to 98% regardless of the cell line tested. Protein expression takes place a few hours post-transfection and lasts over 72 h, but overall, the electrotransfer of mRNAs enables the monitoring of the level of protein expressed by simply modulating the amount of mRNAs used. As a result, we successfully conducted cell imaging by matching the levels of expressed VHHs and the antigen present in the cell, preventing the necessity to remove the excess unbound VHHs. Altogether, our results demonstrate that mRNA electrotransfer could easily supplant the conventional DNA-based transient expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théo Juncker
- UMR7242 Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, F-67412 Illkirch, France
| | - Bruno Chatton
- UMR7242 Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, F-67412 Illkirch, France
| | - Mariel Donzeau
- UMR7242 Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, F-67412 Illkirch, France
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23
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Ikryannikova LN, Gorokhovets NV, Belykh DA, Kurbatov LK, Zamyatnin AA. Bacterial Therapy of Cancer: A Way to the Dustbin of History or to the Medicine of the Future? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119726. [PMID: 37298677 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119726] [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: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are the constant companions of the human body throughout its life and even after its death. The history of a human disease such as cancer and the history of microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are believed to closely intertwined. This review was conceived to highlight the attempts of scientists from ancient times to the present day to discover the relationship between bacteria and the emergence or development of tumors in the human body. Challenges and achievements of 21st century science in forcing bacteria to serve for cancer treatment are considered. The future possibilities of bacterial cancer therapy, including the creation of bacterial microrobots, or "bacteriobots", are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa N Ikryannikova
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya 8/2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Neonila V Gorokhovets
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya 8/2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Darya A Belykh
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya 8/2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonid K Kurbatov
- Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya 10/8, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya 8/2, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/73, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/40, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific Center for Translation Medicine, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Ave, 354340 Sochi, Russia
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24
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Shariaty Vaziri Z, Shafiee F, Akbari V. Design and construction of scFv-PE35KDEL as a novel immunotoxin against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 for cancer therapy. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:537-550. [PMID: 36807722 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03360-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
PROPOSE Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed on the surface of some kinds of cancer cells including breast cancer. In this study, we designed and produced a novel immunotoxin consisting anti-HER2 single-chain Fv (scFv) from pertuzumab and a modified form of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE35KDEL). METHODS The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the fusion protein (anti-HER IT) was predicted by MODELLER 9.23 and its interaction with HER2 receptor was assessed using HADDOCK web server. Anti-HER2 IT, anti-HER2 scFv, and PE35KDEL proteins were expressed by Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). After purification of the proteins using Ni2+ affinity chromatography and refolding through dialysis, the cytotoxicity of proteins against breast cancer cell lines was examined by MTT assay. RESULTS In-silico studies showed that (EAAAK)2 linker can efficiently prevent the formation of salt bridges between two functional domains and the constructed fusion protein has a high affinity to HER2 receptor. The optimum condition of anti-HER2 IT expression was 25 °C and 1 mM IPTG. The protein was successfully purified and refolded by dialysis with a final yield of 45.7 mg per 1 L of bacterial culture. The cytotoxicity results showed that anti-HER2 IT was much more toxic on HER2-overexpressing cells, BT-474 (IC50 ~ 95 nM) compared with HER2-negative cells, MDA-MB-23 (IC50 ˃ 200 nM). CONCLUSION This novel immunotoxin has the potential to be applied as a therapeutic candidate for HER2-targeted cancer therapy. However further in vitro and in vivo evaluations are still required to confirm the efficacy and safety of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Shariaty Vaziri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Shafiee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Vajihe Akbari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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25
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Elmassry MM, Colmer-Hamood JA, Kopel J, San Francisco MJ, Hamood AN. Anti- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Vaccines and Therapies: An Assessment of Clinical Trials. Microorganisms 2023; 11:916. [PMID: 37110338 PMCID: PMC10144840 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040916] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that causes high morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) and immunocompromised patients, including patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), severely burned patients, and patients with surgical wounds. Due to the intrinsic and extrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms, the ability to produce several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors, and the capacity to adapt to several environmental conditions, eradicating P. aeruginosa within infected patients is difficult. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the six multi-drug-resistant pathogens (ESKAPE) considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an entire group for which the development of novel antibiotics is urgently needed. In the United States (US) and within the last several years, P. aeruginosa caused 27% of deaths and approximately USD 767 million annually in health-care costs. Several P. aeruginosa therapies, including new antimicrobial agents, derivatives of existing antibiotics, novel antimicrobial agents such as bacteriophages and their chelators, potential vaccines targeting specific virulence factors, and immunotherapies have been developed. Within the last 2-3 decades, the efficacy of these different treatments was tested in clinical and preclinical trials. Despite these trials, no P. aeruginosa treatment is currently approved or available. In this review, we examined several of these clinicals, specifically those designed to combat P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients, patients with P. aeruginosa VAP, and P. aeruginosa-infected burn patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moamen M. Elmassry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jane A. Colmer-Hamood
- Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Jonathan Kopel
- Department of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Michael J. San Francisco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Honors College, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Abdul N. Hamood
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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Gholami A, Minai-Tehrani D, Mahdizadeh SJ, Saenz-Mendez P, Eriksson LA. Structural Insights into Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A-Elongation Factor 2 Interactions: A Molecular Dynamics Study. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1578-1591. [PMID: 36802593 PMCID: PMC10015456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Exotoxin A (ETA) is an extracellular secreted toxin and a single-chain polypeptide with A and B fragments that is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It catalyzes the ADP-ribosylation of a post-translationally modified histidine (diphthamide) on eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), which results in the inactivation of the latter and the inhibition of protein biosynthesis. Studies show that the imidazole ring of diphthamide plays an important role in the ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by the toxin. In this work, we employ different in silico molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approaches to understand the role of diphthamide versus unmodified histidine in eEF2 on the interaction with ETA. Crystal structures of the eEF2-ETA complexes with three different ligands NAD+, ADP-ribose, and βTAD were selected and compared in the diphthamide and histidine containing systems. The study shows that NAD+ bound to ETA remains very stable in comparison with other ligands, enabling the transfer of ADP-ribose to the N3 atom of the diphthamide imidazole ring in eEF2 during ribosylation. We also show that unmodified histidine in eEF2 has a negative impact on ETA binding and is not a suitable target for the attachment of ADP-ribose. Analyzing of radius of gyration and COM distances for NAD+, βTAD, and ADP-ribose complexes revealed that unmodified His affects the structure and destabilizes the complex with all different ligands throughout the MD simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Gholami
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
| | - Dariush Minai-Tehrani
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
| | - Sayyed Jalil Mahdizadeh
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Patricia Saenz-Mendez
- Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences, Karlstad University, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Leif A Eriksson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
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27
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Martucci JA, Riemer K. Gas-Producing Infections in the Foot at a Large Academic Medical Center: A 10-Year Retrospective Review. J Foot Ankle Surg 2023; 62:360-364. [PMID: 36270882 DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Gas-producing infections, such as clostridial and nonclostridial gas gangrene, crepitant cellulitis, and necrotizing fasciitis, are characterized in the literature by a variety of initial presentations, microbial burdens and surgical outcomes-ranging from debridement to amputation to death. The primary aim of this study was to identify the organisms cultured in gas-producing infections of the foot in patients that presented to a large academic medical center over a 10-year period. Our secondary aims were to report the prevalence of sepsis in this population upon presentation, and patient outcomes upon discharge. After a retrospective chart review of 207,534 procedures, 70 surgical cases met inclusion criteria. The most common organisms that grew in operating room cultures were Staphylococcus aureus, Group B Beta Streptococcus, and Enterococcus species. Just over half of the population presented with sepsis. After an average of 2 or more operations, 64% of patients underwent amputation. One death occurred. Gas-producing infections, or "gas gangrene," are primarily polymicrobial infections, rarely due to Clostridium perfringens, that warrant surgical exploration for optimal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Martucci
- Former Chief Resident, Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Division of Podiatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Clinical Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Kevin Riemer
- Clinical Instructor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Associate, Division of Podiatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
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28
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Targeting the Inside of Cells with Biologicals: Toxin Routes in a Therapeutic Context. BioDrugs 2023; 37:181-203. [PMID: 36729328 PMCID: PMC9893211 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00580-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Numerous toxins translocate to the cytosol in order to fulfil their function. This demonstrates the existence of routes for proteins from the extracellular space to the cytosol. Understanding these routes is relevant to multiple aspects related to therapeutic applications. These include the development of anti-toxin treatments, the potential use of toxins as shuttles for delivering macromolecular cargo to the cytosol or the use of drugs based on toxins. Compared with other strategies for delivery, such as chemicals as carriers for macromolecular delivery or physical methods like electroporation, toxin routes present paths into the cell that potentially cause less damage and can be specifically targeted. The efficiency of delivery via toxin routes is limited. However, low-delivery efficiencies can be entirely sufficient, if delivered cargoes possess an amplification effect or if very few molecules are sufficient for inducing the desired effects. This is known for example from RNA-based vaccines that have been developed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as well as for other approved RNA-based drugs, which elicited the desired effect despite their typically low delivery efficiencies. The different mechanisms by which toxins enter cells may have implications for their technological utility. We review the mechanistic principles of the translocation pathway of toxins from the extracellular space to the cytosol, the delivery efficiencies, and therapeutic strategies or applications that exploit toxin routes for intracellular delivery.
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29
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A induces apoptosis in Galleria mellonella hemocytes. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 197:107884. [PMID: 36642365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107884] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The cellular immune response of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella to Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A was investigated for the first time. The insects were challenged with a sublethal dose of exoA, and then hemocyte parameters were assessed. The analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in the total hemocyte count (THC), which was associated with significant decreases in the number of granulocytes and plasmatocytes. In turn, no statistically significant changes were observed in the number of spherulocytes and oenocytoides. Fluorescent staining indicated that cells collected from the exoA-challenged larvae exhibited features characteristic for apoptotic and autophagic cell death, e.g. cytoplasm vacuolization and chromatin condensation. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of phosphatidylserine- and active caspase 3-positive hemocytes challenged with exoA, which proved apoptosis induction. Our results will help in understanding the role of exotoxin A during P. aeruginosa infections not only in insects but also in mammals, including humans.
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Voltà-Durán E, Parladé E, Serna N, Villaverde A, Vazquez E, Unzueta U. Endosomal escape for cell-targeted proteins. Going out after going in. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 63:108103. [PMID: 36702197 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based nanocarriers are versatile and biocompatible drug delivery systems. They are of particular interest in nanomedicine as they can recruit multiple functions in a single modular polypeptide. Many cell-targeting peptides or protein domains can promote cell uptake when included in these nanoparticles through receptor-mediated endocytosis. In that way, targeting drugs to specific cell receptors allows a selective intracellular delivery process, avoiding potential side effects of the payload. However, once internalized, the endo-lysosomal route taken by the engulfed material usually results in full degradation, preventing their adequate subcellular localization, bioavailability and subsequent therapeutic effect. Thus, entrapment into endo-lysosomes is a main bottleneck in the efficacy of protein-drug nanomedicines. Promoting endosomal escape and preventing lysosomal degradation would make this therapeutic approach clinically plausible. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms intended to evade lysosomal degradation of proteins, with the most relevant examples and associated strategies, and the methods available to measure that effect. In addition, based on the increasing catalogue of peptide domains tailored to face this challenge as components of protein nanocarriers, we emphasize how their particular mechanisms of action can potentially alter the functionality of accompanying protein materials, especially in terms of targeting and specificity in the delivery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Voltà-Durán
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Eloi Parladé
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Esther Vazquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain; Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain.
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31
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Multifaceted Interplay between Hfq and the Small RNA GssA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mBio 2023; 14:e0241822. [PMID: 36475775 PMCID: PMC9973299 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02418-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Behind the pathogenic lifestyle of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exists a complex regulatory network of intertwined switches at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Major players that mediate translation regulation of several genes involved in host-P. aeruginosa interaction are small RNAs (sRNAs) and the Hfq protein. The canonical role of Hfq in sRNA-driven regulation is to act as a matchmaker between sRNAs and target mRNAs. Besides, the sRNA CrcZ is known to sequester Hfq and abrogate its function of translation repression of target mRNAs. In this study, we describe the novel sRNA GssA in the strain PA14 and its multifaceted interplay with Hfq. We show that GssA is multiresponsive to environmental and physiological signals and acts as an apical repressor of key bacterial functions in the human host such as the production of pyocyanin, utilization of glucose, and secretion of exotoxin A. We suggest that the main role of Hfq is not to directly assist GssA in its regulatory role but to repress GssA expression. In the case of pyocyanin production, we suggest that Hfq interplays with GssA also by converging a positive effect on this pathway. Furthermore, our results indicate that both Hfq and GssA play a positive role in anaerobic growth, possibly by regulating the respiratory chain. On the other hand, we show that GssA can modulate not only Hfq expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels but also that of CrcZ, thus potentially influencing the pleiotropic role of Hfq. IMPORTANCE The pathogenic lifestyle of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of life-threatening infections in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients, is based on the fine regulation of virulence-associated factors. Regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) and the RNA-binding protein Hfq are recognized key components within the P. aeruginosa regulatory networks involved in host-pathogen interaction. In this study, we characterized in the highly virulent P. aeruginosa strain PA14 the novel sRNA GssA. We found that it can establish a many-sided reciprocal interplay with Hfq which goes beyond the canonical mechanism of direct physical interaction that had previously been characterized for other sRNAs. Given that the Hfq-driven regulatory network of virulence factors is very broad and important for the progression of infection, we consider GssA as a new RNA target that can potentially be used to develop new antibacterial drugs.
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32
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Constitutive Expression of a Cytotoxic Anticancer Protein in Tumor-Colonizing Bacteria. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051486. [PMID: 36900277 PMCID: PMC10000871 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051486] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial cancer therapy is a promising next-generation modality to treat cancer that often uses tumor-colonizing bacteria to deliver cytotoxic anticancer proteins. However, the expression of cytotoxic anticancer proteins in bacteria that accumulate in the nontumoral reticuloendothelial system (RES), mainly the liver and spleen, is considered detrimental. This study examined the fate of the Escherichia coli strain MG1655 and an attenuated strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum) with defective ppGpp synthesis after intravenous injection into tumor-bearing mice (~108 colony forming units/animal). Approximately 10% of the injected bacteria were detected initially in the RES, whereas approximately 0.01% were in tumor tissues. The bacteria in the tumor tissue proliferated vigorously to up to 109 colony forming units/g tissue, whereas those in the RES died off. RNA analysis revealed that tumor-associated E. coli activated rrnB operon genes encoding the rRNA building block of ribosome needed most during the exponential stage of growth, whereas those in the RES expressed substantially decreased levels of this gene and were cleared soon presumably by innate immune systems. Based on this finding, we engineered ΔppGpp S. Gallinarum to express constitutively a recombinant immunotoxin comprising TGFα and the Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38) using a constitutive exponential phase promoter, the ribosomal RNA promoter rrnB P1. The construct exerted anticancer effects on mice grafted with mouse colon (CT26) or breast (4T1) tumor cells without any notable adverse effects, suggesting that constitutive expression of cytotoxic anticancer protein from rrnB P1 occurred only in tumor tissue.
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T22-PE24-H6 Nanotoxin Selectively Kills CXCR4-High Expressing AML Patient Cells In Vitro and Potently Blocks Dissemination In Vivo. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030727. [PMID: 36986589 PMCID: PMC10054149 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in the development of targeted therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), most patients relapse. For that reason, it is still necessary to develop novel therapies that improve treatment effectiveness and overcome drug resistance. We developed T22-PE24-H6, a protein nanoparticle that contains the exotoxin A from the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is able to specifically deliver this cytotoxic domain to CXCR4+ leukemic cells. Next, we evaluated the selective delivery and antitumor activity of T22-PE24-H6 in CXCR4+ AML cell lines and BM samples from AML patients. Moreover, we assessed the in vivo antitumor effect of this nanotoxin in a disseminated mouse model generated from CXCR4+ AML cells. T22-PE24-H6 showed a potent, CXCR4-dependent antineoplastic effect in vitro in the MONO-MAC-6 AML cell line. In addition, mice treated with nanotoxins in daily doses reduced the dissemination of CXCR4+ AML cells compared to buffer-treated mice, as shown by the significant decrease in BLI signaling. Furthermore, we did not observe any sign of toxicity or changes in mouse body weight, biochemical parameters, or histopathology in normal tissues. Finally, T22-PE24-H6 exhibited a significant inhibition of cell viability in CXCR4high AML patient samples but showed no activity in CXCR4low samples. These data strongly support the use of T22-PE24-H6 therapy to benefit high-CXCR4-expressing AML patients.
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Berg C, Rosenkilde MM. Therapeutic targeting of HCMV-encoded chemokine receptor US28: Progress and challenges. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1135280. [PMID: 36860859 PMCID: PMC9968965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1135280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The pervasive human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes significant morbidity in immunocompromised individuals. Treatment using the current standard-of-care (SOC) is limited by severe toxic adverse effects and anti-viral resistance development. Furthermore, they only affect HCMV in its lytic phase, meaning viral disease is not preventable as latent infection cannot be treated and the viral reservoirs persist. The viral chemokine receptor (vCKR) US28 encoded by HCMV has received much attention in recent years. This broad-spectrum receptor has proven to be a desirable target for development of novel therapeutics through exploitation of its ability to internalize and its role in maintaining latency. Importantly, it is expressed on the surface of infected cells during both lytic and latent infection. US28-targeting small molecules, single-domain antibodies, and fusion toxin proteins have been developed for different treatment strategies, e.g. forcing reactivation of latent virus or using internalization of US28 as a toxin shuttle to kill infected cells. These strategies show promise for providing ways to eliminate latent viral reservoirs and prevent HCMV disease in vulnerable patients. Here, we discuss the progress and challenges of targeting US28 to treat HCMV infection and its associated diseases.
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Mansor MR, AL-Khalidi ZS, Almuhanna EH, Hussein HR, Almulla AF, Alnaji HA. Detection and Study nan1 and tox A genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Isolates from Otitis Media Patients Considered as Virulence Factors. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.30699/ijmm.17.1.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
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Evaluating Bacterial Pathogenesis Using a Model of Human Airway Organoids Infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0240822. [PMID: 36301094 PMCID: PMC9769610 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02408-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading invasive agents of human pulmonary infection, especially in patients with compromised immunity. Prior studies have used various in vitro models to establish P. aeruginosa infection and to analyze transcriptomic profiles of either the host or pathogen, and yet how much those works are relevant to the genuine human airway still raises doubts. In this study, we cultured and differentiated human airway organoids (HAOs) that recapitulate, to a large extent, the histological and physiological features of the native human mucociliary epithelium. HAOs were then employed as a host model to monitor P. aeruginosa biofilm development. Through dual-species transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses, we found that quorum sensing (QS) and several associated protein secretion systems were significantly upregulated in HAO-associated bacteria. Cocultures of HAOs and QS-defective mutants further validated the role of QS in the maintenance of a robust biofilm and disruption of host tissue. Simultaneously, the expression magnitude of multiple inflammation-associated signaling pathways was higher in the QS mutant-infected HAOs, suggesting that QS promotes immune evasion at the transcriptional level. Altogether, modeling infection of HAOs by P. aeruginosa captured several crucial facets in host responses and bacterial pathogenesis, with QS being the most dominant virulence pathway showing profound effects on both bacterial biofilm and host immune responses. Our results revealed that HAOs are an optimal model for studying the interaction between the airway epithelium and bacterial pathogens. IMPORTANCE Human airway organoids (HAOs) are an organotypic model of human airway mucociliary epithelium. The HAOs can closely resemble their origin organ in terms of epithelium architecture and physiological function. Accumulating studies have revealed the great values of the HAO cultures in host-pathogen interaction research. In this study, HAOs were used as a host model to grow Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, which is one of the most common pathogens found in pulmonary infection cases. Dual transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses showed that the cocultures have changed the gene expression pattern of both sides significantly and simultaneously. Bacterial quorum sensing (QS), the most upregulated pathway, contributed greatly to biofilm formation, disruption of barrier function, and subversion of host immune responses. Our study therefore provides a global insight into the transcriptomic responses of both P. aeruginosa and human airway epithelium.
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Recent Advances in Bacteria-Based Cancer Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194945. [PMID: 36230868 PMCID: PMC9563255 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer refers to a disease involving abnormal cells that proliferate uncontrollably and can invade normal body tissue. It was estimated that at least 9 million patients are killed by cancer annually. Recent studies have demonstrated that bacteria play a significant role in cancer treatment and prevention. Owing to its unique mechanism of abundant pathogen-associated molecular patterns in antitumor immune responses and preferentially accumulating and proliferating within tumors, bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy has recently attracted wide attention. We aim to illustrate that naïve bacteria and their components can serve as robust theranostic agents for cancer eradication. In addition, we summarize the recent advances in efficient antitumor treatments by genetically engineering bacteria and bacteria-based nanoparticles. Further, possible future perspectives in bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy are also inspected. Abstract Owing to its unique mechanism of abundant pathogen-associated molecular patterns in antitumor immune responses, bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy has recently attracted wide attention. Compared to traditional cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapy, bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy exhibits the versatile capabilities for suppressing cancer thanks to its preferentially accumulating and proliferating within tumors. In particular, bacteria have demonstrated their anticancer effect through the toxins, and other active components from the cell membrane, cell wall, and dormant spores. More importantly, the design of engineering bacteria with detoxification and specificity is essential for the efficacy of bacteria-based cancer therapeutics. Meanwhile, bacteria can deliver the cytokines, antibody, and other anticancer theranostic nanoparticles to tumor microenvironments by regulating the expression of the bacterial genes or chemical and physical loading. In this review, we illustrate that naïve bacteria and their components can serve as robust theranostic agents for cancer eradication. In addition, we summarize the recent advances in efficient antitumor treatments by genetically engineering bacteria and bacteria-based nanoparticles. Further, possible future perspectives in bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy are also inspected.
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Dicks LMT, Vermeulen W. Do Bacteria Provide an Alternative to Cancer Treatment and What Role Does Lactic Acid Bacteria Play? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091733. [PMID: 36144335 PMCID: PMC9501580 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 10 million deaths have been reported in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cancer cases world-wide could increase to 21.6 million by 2030. Breast, lung, thyroid, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, kidney, pelvis, colon, and rectum cancers are the most prevalent. Each year, approximately 400,000 children develop cancer. Treatment between countries vary, but usually includes either surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Modern treatments such as hormone-, immuno- and antibody-based therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Several recent reports have been published on toxins, antibiotics, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, phenylflavonoids, purine nucleosides, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and enzymes with anticancer properties. Most of these molecules target cancer cells in a selective manner, either directly or indirectly through specific pathways. This review discusses the role of bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, and their metabolites in the treatment of cancer.
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Hashemi Yeganeh H, Heiat M, Alavian SM, Rezaei E. A New Combination: Anti Glypican-3 scFv and Diphtheria Toxin with the Best Flexible Linker. Protein J 2022; 41:527-542. [PMID: 36001255 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-022-10074-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Along with all cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, targeting therapy is a new treatment manner. Immunotoxins are new recombinant structures that kill cancer cells by targeting specific antigens. Immunotoxins are composed of two parts: toxin moiety, which disrupts protein synthesis process, and antigen binding moiety that bind to antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Glypican 3 (GPC3) is an oncofetal antigen on the surface of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In this study, truncated Diphtheria toxin (DT389) was fused to humanized scFv YP7 by one, two and three repeats of GGGGS linkers (DT389-(GGGGS)1-3YP7). In-silico and experimental investigation were performed to find out how many repeats of linker between toxin and scFv moieties are sufficient. Results of in-silico investigations revealed that the difference in the number of linkers does not have a significant effect on the main structures of the immunotoxin; however, the three-dimensional structure of two repeats of linker had a more appropriate structure compared to others with one and three linker replications. In addition, with enhancing the number of linkers, the probability of protein solubility has increased. Generally, the bioinformatics results of DT389-(GGGGS)2-YP7 structure showed that expression and folding is suitable; and YP7 scFv has appropriate orientation to bind GPC3. The experimental investigations indicated that the fusion protein was expressed as near to 50% soluble. Due to the high binding affinity of YP7 scFv and the proven potency of diphtheria in inhibiting protein synthesis, the proposed DT389-(GGGGS)2-YP7 immunotoxin is expected to function well in inhibiting HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Hashemi Yeganeh
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.,Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, P.O. Box 19395-5487, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Heiat
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Rezaei
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, P.O. Box 19395-5487, Tehran, Iran.
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Dubern JF, Romero M, Mai-Prochnow A, Messina M, Trampari E, Gijzel HNV, Chan KG, Carabelli AM, Barraud N, Lazenby J, Chen Y, Robertson S, Malone JG, Williams P, Heeb S, Cámara M. ToxR is a c-di-GMP binding protein that modulates surface-associated behaviour in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:64. [PMID: 35982053 PMCID: PMC9388670 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00325-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses multiple protein regulators that work in tandem to control the production of a wide range of virulence factors and facilitate rapid adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. In this opportunistic pathogen, ToxR was known to positively regulate the production of the major virulence factor exotoxin A and now, through analysis of genetic changes between two sublines of P. aeruginosa PAO1 and functional complementation of swarming, we have identified a previously unknown role of ToxR in surface-associated motility in P. aeruginosa. Further analysis revealed that ToxR had an impact on swarming motility by regulating the Rhl quorum sensing system and subsequent production of rhamnolipid surfactants. Additionally, ToxR was found to tightly bind cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and negatively affect traits controlled by this second messenger including reducing biofilm formation and the expression of Psl and Pel exopolysaccharides, necessary for attachment and sessile communities matrix scaffolding, in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, a link between the post-transcriptional regulator RsmA and toxR expression via the alternative sigma factor PvdS, induced under iron-limiting conditions, is established. This study reveals the importance of ToxR in a sophisticated regulation of free-living and biofilm-associated lifestyles, appropriate for establishing acute or chronic P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Frédéric Dubern
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Manuel Romero
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anne Mai-Prochnow
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marco Messina
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleftheria Trampari
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Hardeep Naghra-van Gijzel
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Genomic Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Stevenage, UK
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Alessandro M Carabelli
- School of Pharmacy, Boots Science Building, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicolas Barraud
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Genetics of Biofilms Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - James Lazenby
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Ye Chen
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Q Squared Solutions, Crystal Plaza, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaun Robertson
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jacob G Malone
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Paul Williams
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephan Heeb
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Miguel Cámara
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Liao C, Huang X, Wang Q, Yao D, Lu W. Virulence Factors of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Antivirulence Strategies to Combat Its Drug Resistance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:926758. [PMID: 35873152 PMCID: PMC9299443 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.926758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections in severely ill and immunocompromised patients. Ubiquitously disseminated in the environment, especially in hospitals, it has become a major threat to human health due to the constant emergence of drug-resistant strains. Multiple resistance mechanisms are exploited by P. aeruginosa, which usually result in chronic infections difficult to eradicate. Diverse virulence factors responsible for bacterial adhesion and colonization, host immune suppression, and immune escape, play important roles in the pathogenic process of P. aeruginosa. As such, antivirulence treatment that aims at reducing virulence while sparing the bacterium for its eventual elimination by the immune system, or combination therapies, has significant advantages over traditional antibiotic therapy, as the former imposes minimal selective pressure on P. aeruginosa, thus less likely to induce drug resistance. In this review, we will discuss the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa, their pathogenic roles, and recent advances in antivirulence drug discovery for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongbing Liao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wuyuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (Ministry of Education (MOE)/National Health Commission (NHC)/Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)), School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa Alters Critical Lung Epithelial Cell Functions through Activation of ADAM17. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152303. [PMID: 35892600 PMCID: PMC9331763 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe epithelial dysfunction is one major hallmark throughout the pathophysiological progress of bacterial pneumonia. Junctional and cellular adhesion molecules (e.g., JAMA-A, ICAM-1), cytokines (e.g., TNFα), and growth factors (e.g., TGFα), controlling proper lung barrier function and leukocyte recruitment, are proteolytically cleaved and released into the extracellular space through a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) 17. In cell-based assays, we could show that the protein expression, maturation, and activation of ADAM17 is upregulated upon infection of lung epithelial cells with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Exotoxin A (ExoA), without any impact of infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The characterization of released extracellular vesicles/exosomes and the comparison to heat-inactivated bacteria revealed that this increase occurred in a cell-associated and toxin-dependent manner. Pharmacological targeting and gene silencing of ADAM17 showed that its activation during infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was critical for the cleavage of junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A) and epithelial cell survival, both modulating barrier integrity, epithelial regeneration, leukocyte adhesion and transepithelial migration. Thus, site-specific targeting of ADAM17 or blockage of the activating toxins may constitute a novel anti-infective therapeutic option in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection preventing severe epithelial and organ dysfunctions and stimulating future translational studies.
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C910 chemical compound inhibits the traffiking of several bacterial AB toxins with cross-protection against influenza virus. iScience 2022; 25:104537. [PMID: 35769882 PMCID: PMC9234246 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104537] [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: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of anti-infectives against a large range of AB-like toxin-producing bacteria includes the identification of compounds disrupting toxin transport through both the endolysosomal and retrograde pathways. Here, we performed a high-throughput screening of compounds blocking Rac1 proteasomal degradation triggered by the Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor-1 (CNF1) toxin, which was followed by orthogonal screens against two toxins that hijack the endolysosomal (diphtheria toxin) or retrograde (Shiga-like toxin 1) pathways to intoxicate cells. This led to the identification of the molecule C910 that induces the enlargement of EEA1-positive early endosomes associated with sorting defects of CNF1 and Shiga toxins to their trafficking pathways. C910 protects cells against eight bacterial AB toxins and the CNF1-mediated pathogenic Escherichia coli invasion. Interestingly, C910 reduces influenza A H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 viral infection in vitro. Moreover, parenteral administration of C910 to mice resulted in its accumulation in lung tissues and a reduction in lethal influenza infection. Screen for inhibitors disrupting bacterial AB toxins vesicular trafficking pathways C910 affects EEA1/Rab5-positive early endosome morphology and sorting functions C910 protects cells against eight AB toxins, SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus C910 accumulates in lung tissues and protects mice against influenza A virus
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Brücksken KA, Loreto Palacio P, Hanschmann EM. Thiol Modifications in the Extracellular Space—Key Proteins in Inflammation and Viral Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:932525. [PMID: 35833136 PMCID: PMC9271835 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) allow to control molecular and cellular functions in response to specific signals and changes in the microenvironment of cells. They regulate structure, localization, stability, and function of proteins in a spatial and temporal manner. Among them, specific thiol modifications of cysteine (Cys) residues facilitate rapid signal transduction. In fact, Cys is unique because it contains the highly reactive thiol group that can undergo different reversible and irreversible modifications. Upon inflammation and changes in the cellular microenvironment, many extracellular soluble and membrane proteins undergo thiol modifications, particularly dithiol–disulfide exchange, S-glutathionylation, and S-nitrosylation. Among others, these thiol switches are essential for inflammatory signaling, regulation of gene expression, cytokine release, immunoglobulin function and isoform variation, and antigen presentation. Interestingly, also the redox state of bacterial and viral proteins depends on host cell-mediated redox reactions that are critical for invasion and infection. Here, we highlight mechanistic thiol switches in inflammatory pathways and infections including cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
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Li M, Mei S, Yang Y, Shen Y, Chen L. Strategies to mitigate the on- and off-target toxicities of recombinant immunotoxins: an antibody engineering perspective. Antib Ther 2022; 5:164-176. [PMID: 35928456 PMCID: PMC9344849 DOI: 10.1093/abt/tbac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Targeted cancer therapies using immunotoxins has achieved remarkable efficacies in hematological malignancies. However, the clinical development of immunotoxins is also faced with many challenges like anti-drug antibodies and dose-limiting toxicity issues. Such a poor efficacy/safety ratio is also the major hurdle in the research and development of antibody-drug conjugates. From an antibody engineering perspective, various strategies were summarized/proposed to tackle the notorious on target off tumor toxicity issues, including passive strategy (XTENylation of immunotoxins) and active strategies (modulating the affinity and valency of the targeting moiety of immunotoxins, conditionally activating immunotoxins in the tumor microenvironments and reconstituting split toxin to reduce systemic toxicity etc.). By modulating the functional characteristics of the targeting moiety and the toxic moiety of immunotoxins, selective tumor targeting can be augmented while sparing the healthy cells in normal tissues expressing the same target of interest. If successful, the improved therapeutic index will likely help to address the dose-limiting toxicities commonly observed in the clinical trials of various immunotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Li
- Department of Postgraduate , Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, P.R. China
- Joint Graduate School , Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute, Nantong, P.R. China
- Joint Graduate School , Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong, P.R. China
| | - Sen Mei
- Biotherapeutics , Biocytogen Jiangsu Co. Ltd, Nantong, P.R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Joint Graduate School , Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute, Nantong, P.R. China
- Joint Graduate School , Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong, P.R. China
- Institute of Innovative Medicine , Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co, Ltd, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yuelei Shen
- Joint Graduate School , Yangtze Delta Drug Advanced Research Institute, Nantong, P.R. China
- Joint Graduate School , Yangtze Delta Pharmaceutical College, Nantong, P.R. China
- Biotherapeutics , Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co, Ltd, Beijing, P.R. China
- Institute of Innovative Medicine , Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co, Ltd, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Lei Chen
- Biotherapeutics , Biocytogen Jiangsu Co. Ltd, Nantong, P.R. China
- Biotherapeutics , Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co, Ltd, Beijing, P.R. China
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46
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Shahri FN, Izanloo A, Goharrizi MASB, Jamali A, Bagheri H, Hjimohammadi A, Ardebili A. Antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, and genotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Gorgan, northern Iran. Int Microbiol 2022; 25:709-721. [PMID: 35697891 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-022-00256-7] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen with a capacity of resistance to multiple antibiotics and production of various extracellular and cell-associated virulence factors that clearly contribute to its pathogenicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility, virulence factors, and clonal relationship among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. Different clinical specimens from hospitalized patients were investigated for P. aeruginosa. Susceptibility of the isolates was evaluated by disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods, as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. A total of 97 P. aeruginosa isolates were recovered from clinical specimens. The percentage of isolates resistant to antimicrobials was imipenem 25.77%, meropenem 15.46%, gentamicin 16.49%, tobramycin 15.46%, amikacin 16.49%, ciprofloxacin 20.61%, levofloxacin 24.74, ceftazidime 20.61%, piperacillin 15.46%, piperacillin/tazobactam 12.37%, colistin 9.27%, and polymyxin B 11.34%. Of isolates, 87.62% possessed β-hemolytic activity, 78.35% lecithinase, 59.8% elastase, 37.11% DNase, and 28.86% twitching motility. The frequency of virulence genes in isolates was lasB 82.47%, plcH 82.47%, exoA 58.76%, exoS 56.7%, and pilA 10.3%. ERIC-PCR typing clustered P. aeruginosa isolates to 19 common types (CT1-CT19) containing isolates from different hospitals and 43 single types (ST1-ST43). Colistin and polymyxin B were the most effective agents against the majority of P. aeruginosa isolates, emphasizing the effort to maintain their antibacterial activity as last-line therapy. The frequency of some virulence factors and genes was noticeably high, which is alarming. In addition, more effective strategies and surveillance are necessary to confine and prevent the inter-hospital and/or intra-hospital dissemination of P. aeruginosa between therapeutic centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Nemati Shahri
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 4934174515, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ahdieh Izanloo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Ailar Jamali
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 4934174515, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Hanieh Bagheri
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Hjimohammadi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Abdollah Ardebili
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. .,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 4934174515, Gorgan, Iran.
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47
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Wang G, Kumar A, Ding W, Korangath P, Bera T, Wei J, Pai P, Gabrielson K, Pastan I, Sukumar S. Intraductal administration of transferrin receptor-targeted immunotoxin clears ductal carcinoma in situ in mouse models of breast cancer-a preclinical study. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200200119. [PMID: 35675429 PMCID: PMC9214490 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The human transferrin receptor (TFR) is overexpressed in most breast cancers, including preneoplastic ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). HB21(Fv)-PE40 is a single-chain immunotoxin (IT) engineered by fusing the variable region of a monoclonal antibody (HB21) against a TFR with a 40 kDa fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). In humans, the administration of other TFR-targeted immunotoxins intrathecally led to inflammation and vascular leakage. We proposed that for treatment of DCIS, intraductal (i.duc) injection of HB21(Fv)-PE40 could avoid systemic toxicity while retaining its potent antitumor effects on visible and occult tumors in the entire ductal tree. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice showed that, in contrast to intravenous injection, IT was undetectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in blood following i.duc injection of up to 3.0 μg HB21(Fv)-PE40. We demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of HB21(Fv)-PE40 in two mammary-in-duct (MIND) models, MCF7 and SUM225, grown in NOD/SCID/gamma mice. Tumors were undetectable by In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) imaging in intraductally treated mice within 1 wk of initiation of the regimen (IT once weekly/3 wk, 1.5 μg/teat). MCF7 tumor-bearing mice remained tumor free for up to 60 d of observation with i.duc IT, whereas the HB21 antibody alone or intraperitoneal IT treatment had minimal/no antitumor effects. These and similar findings in the SUM225 MIND model were substantiated by analysis of mammary gland whole mounts, histology, and immunohistochemistry for the proteins Ki67, CD31, CD71 (TFR), and Ku80. This study provides a strong preclinical foundation for conducting feasibility and safety trials in patients with stage 0 breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007
| | - Alok Kumar
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Wanjun Ding
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Preethi Korangath
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Tapan Bera
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Junxia Wei
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Priya Pai
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Kathleen Gabrielson
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ira Pastan
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Saraswati Sukumar
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
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48
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Pang Z, Gu MD, Tang T. Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cancer Therapy: Current Knowledge, Challenges and Future Perspectives. Front Oncol 2022; 12:891187. [PMID: 35574361 PMCID: PMC9095937 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.891187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance, undesirable toxicity and lack of selectivity are the major challenges of conventional cancer therapies, which cause poor clinical outcomes and high mortality in many cancer patients. Development of alternative cancer therapeutics are highly required for the patients who are resistant to the conventional cancer therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The success of a new cancer therapy depends on its high specificity to cancer cells and low toxicity to normal cells. Utilization of bacteria has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Attenuated or genetically modified bacteria were used to inhibit tumor growth, modulate host immunity, or deliver anti-tumor agents. The bacteria-derived immunotoxins were capable of destructing tumors with high specificity. These bacteria-based strategies for cancer treatment have shown potent anti-tumor effects both in vivo and in vitro, and some of them have proceeded to clinical trials. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen, is one of the common bacteria used in development of bacteria-based cancer therapy, particularly known for the Pseudomonas exotoxin A-based immunotoxins, which have shown remarkable anti-tumor efficacy and specificity. This review concisely summarizes the current knowledge regarding the utilization of P. aeruginosa in cancer treatment, and discusses the challenges and future perspectives of the P. aeruginosa-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Pang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Meng-Di Gu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Tong Tang
- School of Art & Design, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
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49
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Oberbach A, Schlichting N, Hagl C, Lehmann S, Kullnick Y, Friedrich M, Köhl U, Horn F, Kumbhari V, Löffler B, Schmidt F, Joskowiak D, Born F, Saha S, Bagaev E. Four decades of experience of prosthetic valve endocarditis reflect a high variety of diverse pathogens. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 119:410-428. [PMID: 35420122 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) remains a serious condition with a high mortality rate. Precise identification of the PVE-associated pathogen/s and their virulence is essential for successful therapy, and patient survival. The commonly described PVE-associated pathogens are staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most frequently diagnosed species. Furthermore, multi-drug resistance pathogens are increasing in prevalence, and continue to pose new challenges mandating a personalized approach. Blood cultures in combination with echocardiography are the most common methods to diagnose PVE, often being the only indication, it exists. In many cases, the diagnostic strategy recommended in the clinical guidelines does not identify the precise microbial agent and to frequently, false negative blood cultures are reported. Despite the fact that blood culture findings are not always a good indicator of the actual PVE agent in the valve tissue, only a minority of re-operated prostheses are subjected to microbiological diagnostic evaluation. In this review, we focus on the diversity and the complete spectrum of PVE-associated bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens in blood, and prosthetic heart valve, their possible virulence potential, and their challenges in making a microbial diagnosis. We are curious to understand if the unacceptable high mortality of PVE is associated with the high number of negative microbial findings in connection with a possible PVE. Herein, we discuss the possibilities and limits of the diagnostic methods conventionally used and make recommendations for enhanced pathogen identification. We also show possible virulence factors of the most common PVE-associated pathogens and their clinical effects. Based on blood culture, molecular biological diagnostics, and specific valve examination, better derivations for the antibiotic therapy as well as possible preventive intervention can be established in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Oberbach
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadine Schlichting
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Hagl
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.,Munich Heart Alliance, Partner Site German Centre for Cardiovascular Disease (DZHK), Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lehmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yvonne Kullnick
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maik Friedrich
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Köhl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Friedemann Horn
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Diagnostics, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Vivek Kumbhari
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Florida, USA
| | - Bettina Löffler
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Frank Schmidt
- Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medical Centre Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dominik Joskowiak
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Born
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Shekhar Saha
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Erik Bagaev
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
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50
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CHARACTERISTICS OF WOUND INFECTIONS AND METHODS OF THEIR TREATMENT USING PREPARATIONS OF BIOLOGICAL ORIGIN. BIOTECHNOLOGIA ACTA 2022. [DOI: 10.15407/biotech15.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgical wound infections are the most common patients’ complications in the postoperative period. In the modern clinic, they worsen the disease prognosis and remain the most important and acute health problem in all countries of the world. The aim of the work was to analyze current scientific data on the peculiarities of the pathogenesis of wound infections and types of their pathogens, as well as drugs of biological origin in the treatment of wound infections. The paper discusses in detail the problem of infection of wound injuries during surgery and domestic injuries of various kinds. The main pathogens of wound infections are considered. Specific pathogenicity factors for bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae were analyzed. Based on the analysis of literature sources, a list of drugs of biotechnological origin that can be effectively used in combination therapy for the treatment and prevention of wound infections was determined. Conclusions. The result is the identification of those mechanisms of pathogenesis of wound infections that determine the effectiveness of the use of drugs of biological origin in this pathology treatment.
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