1
|
Li C, Wang ZX, Xiao H, Wu FG. Intestinal Delivery of Probiotics: Materials, Strategies, and Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2310174. [PMID: 38245861 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Probiotics with diverse and crucial properties and functions have attracted broad interest from many researchers, who adopt intestinal delivery of probiotics to modulate the gut microbiota. However, the major problems faced for the therapeutic applications of probiotics are the viability and colonization of probiotics during their processing, oral intake, and subsequent delivery to the gut. The challenges of simple oral delivery (stability, controllability, targeting, etc.) have greatly limited the use of probiotics in clinical therapies. Nanotechnology can endow the probiotics to be delivered to the intestine with improved survival rate and increased resistance to the adverse environment. Additionally, the progress in synthetic biology has created new opportunities for efficiently and purposefully designing and manipulating the probiotics. In this article, a brief overview of the types of probiotics for intestinal delivery, the current progress of different probiotic encapsulation strategies, including the chemical, physical, and genetic strategies and their combinations, and the emerging single-cell encapsulation strategies using nanocoating methods, is presented. The action mechanisms of probiotics that are responsible for eliciting beneficial effects are also briefly discussed. Finally, the therapeutic applications of engineered probiotics are discussed, and the future trends toward developing engineered probiotics with advanced features and improved health benefits are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Li
- International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials and Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Zi-Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Huining Xiao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Fu-Gen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bratkovič T, Zahirović A, Bizjak M, Rupnik M, Štrukelj B, Berlec A. New treatment approaches for Clostridioides difficile infections: alternatives to antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2337312. [PMID: 38591915 PMCID: PMC11005816 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2337312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile causes a range of debilitating intestinal symptoms that may be fatal. It is particularly problematic as a hospital-acquired infection, causing significant costs to the health care system. Antibiotics, such as vancomycin and fidaxomicin, are still the drugs of choice for C. difficile infections, but their effectiveness is limited, and microbial interventions are emerging as a new treatment option. This paper focuses on alternative treatment approaches, which are currently in various stages of development and can be divided into four therapeutic strategies. Direct killing of C. difficile (i) includes beside established antibiotics, less studied bacteriophages, and their derivatives, such as endolysins and tailocins. Restoration of microbiota composition and function (ii) is achieved with fecal microbiota transplantation, which has recently been approved, with standardized defined microbial mixtures, and with probiotics, which have been administered with moderate success. Prevention of deleterious effects of antibiotics on microbiota is achieved with agents for the neutralization of antibiotics that act in the gut and are nearing regulatory approval. Neutralization of C. difficile toxins (iii) which are crucial virulence factors is achieved with antibodies/antibody fragments or alternative binding proteins. Of these, the monoclonal antibody bezlotoxumab is already in clinical use. Immunomodulation (iv) can help eliminate or prevent C. difficile infection by interfering with cytokine signaling. Small-molecule agents without bacteriolytic activity are usually selected by drug repurposing and can act via a variety of mechanisms. The multiple treatment options described in this article provide optimism for the future treatment of C. difficile infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomaž Bratkovič
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Abida Zahirović
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maruša Bizjak
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Rupnik
- National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Prvomajska 1, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Borut Štrukelj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Berlec
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Han Z, Min Y, Pang K, Wu D. Therapeutic Approach Targeting Gut Microbiome in Gastrointestinal Infectious Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15654. [PMID: 37958637 PMCID: PMC10650060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115654] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While emerging evidence highlights the significance of gut microbiome in gastrointestinal infectious diseases, treatments like Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) and probiotics are gaining popularity, especially for diarrhea patients. However, the specific role of the gut microbiome in different gastrointestinal infectious diseases remains uncertain. There is no consensus on whether gut modulation therapy is universally effective for all such infections. In this comprehensive review, we examine recent developments of the gut microbiome's involvement in several gastrointestinal infectious diseases, including infection of Helicobacter pylori, Clostridium difficile, Vibrio cholerae, enteric viruses, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Giardia duodenalis. We have also incorporated information about fungi and engineered bacteria in gastrointestinal infectious diseases, aiming for a more comprehensive overview of the role of the gut microbiome. This review will provide insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of the gut microbiome while exploring the microbiome's potential in the prevention, diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of gastrointestinal infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yiyang Min
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ke Pang
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Dong Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Romero-Rodríguez A, Martínez de la Peña C, Troncoso-Cotal S, Guzmán C, Sánchez S. Emerging alternatives against Clostridioides difficile infection. Anaerobe 2022; 78:102638. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2022.102638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
5
|
Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management of Clostridioides difficile Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071315. [PMID: 35889034 PMCID: PMC9319314 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two pathologies that share a bidirectional causal nexus, as CDI is known to have an aggravating effect on IBD and IBD is a known risk factor for CDI. The colonic involvement in IBD not only renders the host more prone to an initial CDI development but also to further recurrences. Furthermore, IBD flares, which are predominantly set off by a CDI, not only create a need for therapy escalation but also prolong hospital stay. For these reasons, adequate and comprehensive management of CDI is of paramount importance in patients with IBD. Microbiological diagnosis, correct evaluation of clinical status, and consideration of different treatment options (from antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation to monoclonal antibodies) carry pivotal importance. Thus, the aim of this article is to review the risk factors, diagnosis, and management of CDI in patients with IBD.
Collapse
|
6
|
Cruz KCP, Enekegho LO, Stuart DT. Bioengineered Probiotics: Synthetic Biology Can Provide Live Cell Therapeutics for the Treatment of Foodborne Diseases. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:890479. [PMID: 35656199 PMCID: PMC9152101 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.890479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of antibiotic resistant microbial pathogens presents an ominous health and economic challenge to modern society. The discovery and large-scale development of antibiotic drugs in previous decades was transformational, providing cheap, effective treatment for what would previously have been a lethal infection. As microbial strains resistant to many or even all antibiotic drug treatments have evolved, there is an urgent need for new drugs or antimicrobial treatments to control these pathogens. The ability to sequence and mine the genomes of an increasing number of microbial strains from previously unexplored environments has the potential to identify new natural product antibiotic biosynthesis pathways. This coupled with the power of synthetic biology to generate new production chassis, biosensors and “weaponized” live cell therapeutics may provide new means to combat the rapidly evolving threat of drug resistant microbial pathogens. This review focuses on the application of synthetic biology to construct probiotic strains that have been endowed with functionalities allowing them to identify, compete with and in some cases kill microbial pathogens as well as stimulate host immunity. Weaponized probiotics may have the greatest potential for use against pathogens that infect the gastrointestinal tract: Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile. The potential benefits of engineered probiotics are highlighted along with the challenges that must still be met before these intriguing and exciting new therapeutic tools can be widely deployed.
Collapse
|
7
|
Clark AE, Adamson CC, Carothers KE, Roxas BAP, Viswanathan VK, Vedantam G. The Alternative Sigma Factor SigL Influences Clostridioides difficile Toxin Production, Sporulation, and Cell Surface Properties. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:871152. [PMID: 35633701 PMCID: PMC9130780 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.871152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The alternative sigma factor SigL (Sigma-54) facilitates bacterial adaptation to the extracellular environment by modulating the expression of defined gene subsets. A homolog of the gene encoding SigL is conserved in the diarrheagenic pathogen Clostridioides difficile. To explore the contribution of SigL to C. difficile biology, we generated sigL-disruption mutants (sigL::erm) in strains belonging to two phylogenetically distinct lineages-the human-relevant Ribotype 027 (strain BI-1) and the veterinary-relevant Ribotype 078 (strain CDC1). Comparative proteomics analyses of mutants and isogenic parental strains revealed lineage-specific SigL regulons. Concomitantly, loss of SigL resulted in pleiotropic and distinct phenotypic alterations in the two strains. Sporulation kinetics, biofilm formation, and cell surface-associated phenotypes were altered in CDC1 sigL::erm relative to the isogenic parent strain but remained unchanged in BI-1 sigL::erm. In contrast, secreted toxin levels were significantly elevated only in the BI-1 sigL::erm mutant relative to its isogenic parent. We also engineered SigL overexpressing strains and observed enhanced biofilm formation in the CDC1 background, and reduced spore titers as well as dampened sporulation kinetics in both strains. Thus, we contend that SigL is a key, pleiotropic regulator that dynamically influences C. difficile's virulence factor landscape, and thereby, its interactions with host tissues and co-resident microbes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E. Clark
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Chelsea C. Adamson
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | | | - V. K. Viswanathan
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- BIO5 Institute for Collaborative Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Gayatri Vedantam
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- BIO5 Institute for Collaborative Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, Tucson, AZ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang Y, Saint Fleur A, Feng H. The development of live biotherapeutics against Clostridioides difficile infection towards reconstituting gut microbiota. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2052698. [PMID: 35319337 PMCID: PMC8959509 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2052698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the most prevalent pathogen of nosocomial diarrhea. In the United States, over 450,000 cases of C. difficile infection (CDI), responsible for more than 29,000 deaths, are reported annually in recent years. Because of the emergence of hypervirulent strains and strains less susceptible to vancomycin and fidaxomicin, new therapeutics other than antibiotics are urgently needed. The gut microbiome serves as one of the first-line defenses against C. difficile colonization. The use of antibiotics causes gut microbiota dysbiosis and shifts the status from colonization resistance to infection. Hence, novel CDI biotherapeutics capable of reconstituting normal gut microbiota have become a focus of drug development in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongrong Zhang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD21201, United States
| | - Ashley Saint Fleur
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD21201, United States
| | - Hanping Feng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD21201, United States,CONTACT Hanping Feng Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD21201United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Heavey MK, Durmusoglu D, Crook N, Anselmo AC. Discovery and delivery strategies for engineered live biotherapeutic products. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:354-369. [PMID: 34481657 PMCID: PMC8831446 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered microbes that secrete therapeutics, sense and respond to external environments, and/or target specific sites in the gut fall under an emergent class of therapeutics, called live biotherapeutic products (LBPs). As live organisms that require symbiotic host interactions, LBPs offer unique therapeutic opportunities, but also face distinct challenges in the gut microenvironment. In this review, we describe recent approaches (often demonstrated using traditional probiotic microorganisms) to discover LBP chassis and genetic parts utilizing omics-based methods and highlight LBP delivery strategies, with a focus on addressing physiological challenges that LBPs encounter after oral administration. Finally, we share our perspective on the opportunity to apply an integrated approach, wherein discovery and delivery strategies are utilized synergistically, towards tailoring and optimizing LBP efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mairead K. Heavey
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deniz Durmusoglu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nathan Crook
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Aaron C. Anselmo
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA,Correspondence: (A.C. Anselmo), (N. Crook)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Andryukov BG, Karpenko AA, Lyapun IN. Learning from Nature: Bacterial Spores as a Target for Current Technologies in Medicine (Review). Sovrem Tekhnologii Med 2021; 12:105-122. [PMID: 34795986 PMCID: PMC8596247 DOI: 10.17691/stm2020.12.3.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The capability of some representatives of Clostridium spp. and Bacillus spp. genera to form spores in extreme external conditions long ago became a subject of medico-biological investigations. Bacterial spores represent dormant cellular forms of gram-positive bacteria possessing a high potential of stability and the capability to endure extreme conditions of their habitat. Owing to these properties, bacterial spores are recognized as the most stable systems on the planet, and spore-forming microorganisms became widely spread in various ecosystems. Spore-forming bacteria have been attracted increased interest for years due to their epidemiological danger. Bacterial spores may be in the quiescent state for dozens or hundreds of years but after they appear in the favorable conditions of a human or animal organism, they turn into vegetative forms causing an infectious process. The greatest threat among the pathogenic spore-forming bacteria is posed by the causative agents of anthrax (B. anthracis), food toxicoinfection (B. cereus), pseudomembranous colitis (C. difficile), botulism (C. botulinum), gas gangrene (C. perfringens). For the effective prevention of severe infectious diseases first of all it is necessary to study the molecular structure of bacterial spores and the biochemical mechanisms of sporulation and to develop innovative methods of detection and disinfection of dormant cells. There is another side of the problem: the necessity to investigate exo- and endospores from the standpoint of obtaining similar artificially synthesized models in order to use them in the latest medical technologies for the development of thermostable vaccines, delivery of biologically active substances to the tissues and intracellular structures. In recent years, bacterial spores have become an interesting object for the exploration from the point of view of a new paradigm of unicellular microbiology in order to study microbial heterogeneity by means of the modern analytical tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B G Andryukov
- Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology; G.P. Somov Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 1 Selskaya St., Vladivostok, 690087, Russia; Professor, Department of Fundamental Sciences; Far Eastern Federal University, 10 Village Ayaks, Island Russkiy, Vladivostok, 690922, Russia
| | - A A Karpenko
- Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Cell Biophysics; A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 17 Palchevskogo St., Vladivostok, 690041, Russia
| | - I N Lyapun
- Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology G.P. Somov Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 1 Selskaya St., Vladivostok, 690087, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Monaghan TM, Seekatz AM, Mullish BH, Moore-Gillon CCER, Dawson LF, Ahmed A, Kao D, Chan WC. Clostridioides difficile: innovations in target discovery and potential for therapeutic success. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:949-963. [PMID: 34793686 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.2008907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a worldwide clinical problem. Increased incidence of primary infection, occurrence of hypertoxigenic ribotypes, and more frequent occurrence of drug resistant, recurrent, and non-hospital CDI, emphasizes the urgent unmet need of discovering new therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles identifying novel therapeutic targets or treatments for C. difficile from 2001 to 2021. We present an updated review on current preclinical efforts on designing inhibitory compounds against these drug targets and indicate how these could become the focus of future therapeutic approaches. We also evaluate the increasing exploitability of gut microbial-derived metabolites and host-derived therapeutics targeting VEGF-A, immune targets and pathways, ion transporters, and microRNAs as anti-C. difficile therapeutics, which have yet to reach clinical trials. Our review also highlights the therapeutic potential of re-purposing currently available agents . We conclude by considering translational hurdles and possible strategies to mitigate these problems. EXPERT OPINION Considerable progress has been made in the development of new anti-CDI drug candidates. Nevertheless, a greater comprehension of CDI pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions is beginning to uncover potential novel therapeutic targets, which can be exploited to plug gaps in the CDI drug discovery pipeline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanya M Monaghan
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anna M Seekatz
- Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Benjamin H Mullish
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Claudia C E R Moore-Gillon
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Departments of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lisa F Dawson
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ammar Ahmed
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dina Kao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zeidler Ledcor Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Weng C Chan
- School of Pharmacy, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Roxas BAP, Roxas JL, Claus-Walker R, Harishankar A, Mansoor A, Anwar F, Jillella S, Williams A, Lindsey J, Elliott SP, Shehab KW, Viswanathan VK, Vedantam G. Phylogenomic analysis of Clostridioides difficile ribotype 106 strains reveals novel genetic islands and emergent phenotypes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22135. [PMID: 33335199 PMCID: PMC7747571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79123-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major healthcare-associated diarrheal disease. Consistent with trends across the United States, C. difficile RT106 was the second-most prevalent molecular type in our surveillance in Arizona from 2015 to 2018. A representative RT106 strain displayed robust virulence and 100% lethality in the hamster model of acute CDI. We identified a unique 46 KB genomic island (GI1) in all RT106 strains sequenced to date, including those in public databases. GI1 was not found in its entirety in any other C. difficile clade, or indeed, in any other microbial genome; however, smaller segments were detected in Enterococcus faecium strains. Molecular clock analyses suggested that GI1 was horizontally acquired and sequentially assembled over time. GI1 encodes homologs of VanZ and a SrtB-anchored collagen-binding adhesin, and correspondingly, all tested RT106 strains had increased teicoplanin resistance, and a majority displayed collagen-dependent biofilm formation. Two additional genomic islands (GI2 and GI3) were also present in a subset of RT106 strains. All three islands are predicted to encode mobile genetic elements as well as virulence factors. Emergent phenotypes associated with these genetic islands may have contributed to the relatively rapid expansion of RT106 in US healthcare and community settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Angelo P Roxas
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jennifer Lising Roxas
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Rachel Claus-Walker
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Anusha Harishankar
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Asad Mansoor
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Farhan Anwar
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Shobitha Jillella
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Alison Williams
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jason Lindsey
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sean P Elliott
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kareem W Shehab
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - V K Viswanathan
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Bio5 Institute for Collaborative Research, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Gayatri Vedantam
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Department of Immunobiology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Bio5 Institute for Collaborative Research, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, USA. .,School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, 1117 E Lowell St, Bldg. 90, Room 227, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Stewart D, Anwar F, Vedantam G. Anti-virulence strategies for Clostridioides difficile infection: advances and roadblocks. Gut Microbes 2020; 12:1802865. [PMID: 33092487 PMCID: PMC7588222 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1802865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a common healthcare- and antibiotic-associated diarrheal disease. If mis-diagnosed, or incompletely treated, CDI can have serious, indeed fatal, consequences. The clinical and economic burden imposed by CDI is great, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named the causative agent, C. difficile (CD), as an Urgent Threat To US healthcare. CDI is also a significant problem in the agriculture industry. Currently, there are no FDA-approved preventives for this disease, and the only approved treatments for both human and veterinary CDI involve antibiotic use, which, ironically, is associated with disease relapse and the threat of burgeoning antibiotic resistance. Research efforts in multiple laboratories have demonstrated that non-toxin factors also play key roles in CDI, and that these are critical for disease. Specifically, key CD adhesins, as well as other surface-displayed factors have been shown to be major contributors to host cell attachment, and as such, represent attractive targets for anti-CD interventions. However, research on anti-virulence approaches has been more limited, primarily due to the lack of genetic tools, and an as-yet nascent (but increasingly growing) appreciation of immunological impacts on CDI. The focus of this review is the conceptualization and development of specific anti-virulence strategies to combat CDI. Multiple laboratories are focused on this effort, and the field is now at an exciting stage with numerous products in development. Herein, however, we focus only on select technologies (Figure 1) that have advanced near, or beyond, pre-clinical testing (not those that are currently in clinical trial), and discuss roadblocks associated with their development and implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Stewart
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Farhan Anwar
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Gayatri Vedantam
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Bio5 Institute for Collaborative Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chappell TC, Nair NU. Engineered lactobacilli display anti-biofilm and growth suppressing activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2020; 6:48. [PMID: 33127888 PMCID: PMC7599214 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-020-00156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are an emerging target for new therapeutics in the effort to address the continued increase in resistance and tolerance to traditional antimicrobials. In particular, the distinct nature of the biofilm growth state often means that traditional antimcirobials, developed to combat planktonic cells, are ineffective. Biofilm treatments are designed to both reduce pathogen load at an infection site and decrease the development of resistance by rendering the embedded organisms more susceptible to treatment at lower antimicrobial concentrations. In this work, we developed a new antimicrobial treatment modality using engineered lactic acid bacteria (LAB). We first characterized the natural capacity of two lactobacilli, L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus, to inhibit P. aeruginosa growth, biofilm formation, and biofilm viability, which we found to be dependent upon the low pH generated during culture of the LAB. We further engineered these LAB to secrete enzymes known to degrade P. aeruginosa biofilms and show that our best performing engineered LAB, secreting a pathogen-derived enzyme (PelAh), degrades up to 85% of P. aeruginosa biofilm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Todd C Chappell
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Nikhil U Nair
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Li X, Chu Q, Huang Y, Xiao Y, Song L, Zhu S, Kang Y, Lu S, Xu J, Ren Z. Consortium of Probiotics Attenuates Colonization of Clostridioides difficile. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2871. [PMID: 31921049 PMCID: PMC6920126 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is increasing morbidity and mortality rates globally. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), an effective therapy for eliminating Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), cannot be used extensive due to a range of challenges. Probiotics thus constitutes a promising alternative therapy. In our study, we evaluated the effect of consortium of probiotics including five Lactobacilli strains and two Bifidobacterium strains on the colonization of toxigenic BI/NAP1/027 C. difficile in a mouse model. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics showed the consortium of probiotics effectively decreased the colonization of C. difficile, changed the α- and β-diversity of the gut microbiota, decreased the primary bile acids, and increased the secondary bile acids. Spearman’s correlation showed that some of the OTUs such as Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Blautia et al. were positively correlated with C. difficile numbers and the primary bile acids, and negatively correlated with the secondary bile acids. However, some of the OTUs, such as Butyricicoccus, Ruminococcus, and Rikenellaceae, were negatively correlated with C. difficile copies and the primary bile acids, and positively correlated with the secondary bile acids. In summary, the consortium of probiotics effectively decreases the colonization of C. difficile, probably via alteration of gut microbiota and bile acids. Our probiotics mixture thus offers a promising FMT alternative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianping Li
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiongfang Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Dongcheng District Longtan Community Health Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanming Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liqiong Song
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Siyi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Kang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, China.,Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function (2018 RU010), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pizarro-Guajardo M, Chamorro-Veloso N, Vidal RM, Paredes-Sabja D. New insights for vaccine development against Clostridium difficile infections. Anaerobe 2019; 58:73-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
17
|
Misch EA, Safdar N. Clostridioides difficile Infection in the Stem Cell Transplant and Hematologic Malignancy Population. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2019; 33:447-466. [PMID: 31005136 PMCID: PMC6790983 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is common in the stem cell transplant (SCT) and hematologic malignancy (HM) population and mostly occurs in the early posttransplant period. Treatment of CDI in SCT/HM is the same as for the general population, with the exception that fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has not been widely adopted because of safety concerns. Several case reports, small series, and retrospective studies have shown that FMT is effective and safe. A randomized controlled trial of FMT for prophylaxis of CDI in SCT patients is underway. In addition, an abundance of novel therapeutics for CDI is currently in development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ann Misch
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, 1685 Highland Drive, Centennial Building, 5th Floor, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
| | - Nasia Safdar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, 1685 Highland Drive, Centennial Building, 5th Floor, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Medicine, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|