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Ellermann M. Emerging mechanisms by which endocannabinoids and their derivatives modulate bacterial populations within the gut microbiome. ADVANCES IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESEARCH 2023; 3:11359. [PMID: 38389811 PMCID: PMC10880783 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2023.11359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Bioactive lipids such as endocannabinoids serve as important modulators of host health and disease through their effects on various host functions including central metabolism, gut physiology, and immunity. Furthermore, changes to the gut microbiome caused by external factors such as diet or by disease development have been associated with altered endocannabinoid tone and disease outcomes. These observations suggest the existence of reciprocal relationships between host lipid signaling networks and bacterial populations that reside within the gut. Indeed, endocannabinoids and their congeners such as N-acylethanolamides have been recently shown to alter bacterial growth, functions, physiology, and behaviors, therefore introducing putative mechanisms by which these bioactive lipids directly modulate the gut microbiome. Moreover, these potential interactions add another layer of complexity to the regulation of host health and disease pathogenesis that may be mediated by endocannabinoids and their derivatives. This mini review will summarize recent literature that exemplifies how N-acylethanolamides and monoacylglycerols including endocannabinoids can impact bacterial populations in vitro and within the gut microbiome. We also highlight exciting preclinical studies that have engineered gut bacteria to synthesize host N-acylethanolamides or their precursors as potential strategies to treat diseases that are in part driven by aberrant lipid signaling, including obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Ellermann
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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N-Palmitoyl-D-Glucosamine Inhibits TLR-4/NLRP3 and Improves DNBS-Induced Colon Inflammation through a PPAR-α-Dependent Mechanism. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081163. [PMID: 36009057 PMCID: PMC9405927 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081163] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar to canine inflammatory enteropathy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic idiopathic condition characterized by remission periods and recurrent flares in which diarrhea, visceral pain, rectal bleeding/bloody stools, and weight loss are the main clinical symptoms. Intestinal barrier function alterations often persist in the remission phase of the disease without ongoing inflammatory processes. However, current therapies include mainly anti-inflammatory compounds that fail to promote functional symptoms-free disease remission, urging new drug discoveries to handle patients during this step of the disease. ALIAmides (ALIA, autacoid local injury antagonism) are bioactive fatty acid amides that recently gained attention because of their involvement in the control of inflammatory response, prompting the use of these molecules as plausible therapeutic strategies in the treatment of several chronic inflammatory conditions. N-palmitoyl-D-glucosamine (PGA), an under-researched ALIAmide, resulted in being safe and effective in preclinical models of inflammation and pain, suggesting its potential engagement in the treatment of IBD. In our study, we demonstrated that micronized PGA significantly and dose-dependently reduces colitis severity, improves intestinal mucosa integrity by increasing the tight junction proteins expression, and downregulates the TLR-4/NLRP3/iNOS pathway via PPAR-α receptors signaling in DNBS-treated mice. The possibility of clinically exploiting micronized PGA as support for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related changes in IBD patients would represent an innovative, effective, and safe strategy.
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Cuddihey H, MacNaughton WK, Sharkey KA. Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Regulation of Intestinal Homeostasis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:947-963. [PMID: 35750314 PMCID: PMC9500439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The maintenance of intestinal homeostasis is fundamentally important to health. Intestinal barrier function and immune regulation are key determinants of intestinal homeostasis and are therefore tightly regulated by a variety of signaling mechanisms. The endocannabinoid system is a lipid mediator signaling system widely expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. Accumulating evidence suggests the endocannabinoid system is a critical nexus involved in the physiological processes that underlie the control of intestinal homeostasis. In this review we will illustrate how the endocannabinoid system is involved in regulation of intestinal permeability, fluid secretion, and immune regulation. We will also demonstrate a reciprocal regulation between the endocannabinoid system and the gut microbiome. The role of the endocannabinoid system is complex and multifaceted, responding to both internal and external factors while also serving as an effector system for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Cuddihey
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wallace K. MacNaughton
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith A. Sharkey
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Keith Sharkey, PhD, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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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.
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Pesce M, Seguella L, Del Re A, Lu J, Palenca I, Corpetti C, Rurgo S, Sanseverino W, Sarnelli G, Esposito G. Next-Generation Probiotics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105466. [PMID: 35628274 PMCID: PMC9141965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered probiotics represent a cutting-edge therapy in intestinal inflammatory disease (IBD). Genetically modified bacteria have provided a new strategy to release therapeutically operative molecules in the intestine and have grown into promising new therapies for IBD. Current IBD treatments, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, are associated with relevant side effects and a significant proportion of patients are dependent on these therapies, thus exposing them to the risk of relevant long-term side effects. Discovering new and effective therapeutic strategies is a worldwide goal in this research field and engineered probiotics could potentially provide a viable solution. This review aims at describing the proceeding of bacterial engineering and how genetically modified probiotics may represent a promising new biotechnological approach in IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Pesce
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Luisa Seguella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.D.R.); (I.P.); (C.C.); (G.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-4991-2948
| | - Alessandro Del Re
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.D.R.); (I.P.); (C.C.); (G.E.)
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China;
| | - Irene Palenca
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.D.R.); (I.P.); (C.C.); (G.E.)
| | - Chiara Corpetti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.D.R.); (I.P.); (C.C.); (G.E.)
| | - Sara Rurgo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.R.); (G.S.)
| | | | - Giovanni Sarnelli
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (S.R.); (G.S.)
- Nextbiomics S.r.l., 80100 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (A.D.R.); (I.P.); (C.C.); (G.E.)
- Nextbiomics S.r.l., 80100 Naples, Italy;
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