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Lombardo GP, Miller A, Aragona M, Messina E, Fumia A, Kuciel M, Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Lauriano ER. Immunohistochemical Characterization of Langerhans Cells in the Skin of Three Amphibian Species. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:210. [PMID: 38666822 PMCID: PMC11048468 DOI: 10.3390/biology13040210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The amphibian taxon includes three orders that present different morphological characteristics: Anura, Caudata, and Apoda. Their skin has a crucial role: it acts as an immune organ constituting a physical, chemical, immunological, and microbiological barrier to pathogen insult and conducts essential physiological processes. Amphibians have developed specialized features to protect the vulnerable skin barrier, including a glandular network beneath the skin surface that can produce antimicrobial and toxic substances, thus contributing to the defense against pathogens and predators. This study aims to characterize Langerhans cells in the skin of Lithobates catesbeianus (order: Anura; Shaw, 1802), Amphiuma means (order: Caudata; Garden, 1821), and Typhlonectes natans (order: Apoda; Fischer, 1880) with the following antibodies: Langerin/CD207 (c-type lectin), Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)II, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 (expressed by different types of DCs). Our results showed Langerhans cells positive for Langerin CD/207 in the epidermis of the three species; moreover, some antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the connective tissue expressed TLR2 and MHCII. The distribution of the Langerhans cells is very similar in the three amphibians examined, despite their different habitats. A greater knowledge of the amphibian immune system could be useful to better understand the phylogeny of vertebrates and to safeguard amphibians from population declines. Furthermore, the similarities between amphibians' and human skin concerning immunological features may be useful in both biology and translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Pia Lombardo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Anthea Miller
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Marialuisa Aragona
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Emmanuele Messina
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Angelo Fumia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Michał Kuciel
- Poison Information Centre, Department of Toxicology and Environmental Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Jagellonian University, Kopernika 15, 30-501 Krakòw, Poland;
| | - Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (G.P.L.); (E.M.); (A.A.); (E.R.L.)
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Nowicka J, Janczura A, Pajączkowska M, Chodaczek G, Szymczyk-Ziółkowska P, Walczuk U, Gościniak G. Effect of Camel Peptide on the Biofilm of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus Formed on Orthopedic Implants. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1671. [PMID: 38136705 PMCID: PMC10740474 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121671] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing bacterial drug resistance and the associated challenges in the treatment of infections warrant the search for alternative therapeutic methods. Hope is placed in antimicrobial peptides, which have a broad spectrum of action and are effective against strains which are resistant to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides are also tested for their efficacy in the treatment of infections associated with the formation of biofilm. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Camel peptide on S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus adhesion to and formation of biofilm on steel cortical bone screws and also on the process of reducing mature biofilm in orthopedic implants. The tests were performed on steel implants for osteosynthesis. The MIC value and MBEC values of the peptide were determined using the microdilution method in microtiter plates. The effect of the peptide on adhesion and biofilm formation, as well as on the activity on the preformed biofilm, was evaluated using quantitative methods and confocal microscopy. The presented research results indicate that the peptide exhibits very good antimicrobial properties against the analyzed strains. Concentrations above MIC reduced biofilm in the range of 90-99%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Nowicka
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland; (M.P.); (U.W.); (G.G.)
| | - Adriana Janczura
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland; (M.P.); (U.W.); (G.G.)
| | - Magdalena Pajączkowska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland; (M.P.); (U.W.); (G.G.)
| | - Grzegorz Chodaczek
- Bioimaging Laboratory, Łukasiewicz Research Network—PORT Polish Center for Technology Development, 54-066 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Patrycja Szymczyk-Ziółkowska
- Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (CAMT/FPC), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Łukasiewicza 5, 50-371 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Urszula Walczuk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland; (M.P.); (U.W.); (G.G.)
| | - Grażyna Gościniak
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland; (M.P.); (U.W.); (G.G.)
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3
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Han Z, Feng D, Wang W, Wang Y, Cheng M, Yang H, Liu Y. Influence of Fatty Acid Modification on the Anticancer Activity of the Antimicrobial Peptide Figainin 1. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:41876-41884. [PMID: 37970064 PMCID: PMC10633881 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides derived from the skin secretions of amphibians have made important progress in tumor therapy due to their unique mechanism of destroying cell membranes. Figainin 1 (F1) is an 18-amino acid antimicrobial peptide from the skin secretions of Boana raniceps frogs. In a previous study, F1 was shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. F1 is composed entirely of natural amino acids; therefore, it is easily degraded by a variety of proteases, resulting in poor stability and a short half-life. In the present study, we used a fatty acid modification strategy to improve the stability of Figainin 1. Among the 8 peptides synthesized, A-10 showed the strongest antiproliferative activity against K562 cells and the other four tumor cell lines, and its stability against serum and proteinase K was improved compared with F1. We found that A-10 works through two mechanisms, cell membrane destruction and apoptosis, and can arrest the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, A-10 exhibited self-assembly behavior. Overall, it is necessary to select a fatty acid with a suitable length for modification to improve the stability and antiproliferative activity of antimicrobial peptides. This study provides a good reference for the development of antimicrobial peptides as effective anticancer compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenbin Han
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Dongmei Feng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Maosheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huali Yang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based
Drug Design & Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical
Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
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4
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Ruiz VL, Robert J. The amphibian immune system. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220123. [PMID: 37305914 PMCID: PMC10258673 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0123] [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: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibians are at the forefront of bridging the evolutionary gap between mammals and more ancient, jawed vertebrates. Currently, several diseases have targeted amphibians and understanding their immune system has importance beyond their use as a research model. The immune system of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, and that of mammals is well conserved. We know that several features of the adaptive and innate immune system are very similar for both, including the existence of B cells, T cells and innate-like T cells. In particular, the study of the immune system at early stages of development is benefitted by studying X. laevis tadpoles. The tadpoles mainly rely on innate immune mechanisms including pre-set or innate-like T cells until after metamorphosis. In this review we lay out what is known about the innate and adaptive immune system of X. laevis including the lymphoid organs as well as how other amphibian immune systems are similar or different. Furthermore, we will describe how the amphibian immune system responds to some viral, bacterial and fungal insults. This article is part of the theme issue 'Amphibian immunity: stress, disease and ecoimmunology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vania Lopez Ruiz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jacques Robert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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5
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Yang P, Guo W, Ramamoorthy A, Chen Z. Conformation and Orientation of Antimicrobial Peptides MSI-594 and MSI-594A in a Lipid Membrane. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5352-5363. [PMID: 37017985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
There is significant interest in the development of antimicrobial compounds to overcome the increasing bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics. Studies have shown that naturally occurring and de novo-designed antimicrobial peptides could be promising candidates. MSI-594 is a synthetic linear, cationic peptide that has been reported to exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Investigation into how MSI-594 disrupts the cell membrane is important for better understanding the details of this antimicrobial peptide (AMP)'s action against bacterial cells. In this study, we used two different synthetic lipid bilayers: zwitterionic 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and anionic 7:3 POPC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(1'-rac-glycerol) (POPG). Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were used to determine the orientations of MSI-594 and its analogue MSI-594A associated with zwitterionic POPC and anionic 7:3 POPC/POPG lipid bilayers. The simulated ATR-FTIR and SFG spectra using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-determined structures were compared with experimental spectra to optimize the bent angle between the N- (1-11) and C- (12-24) termini helices and the membrane orientations of the helices; since the NMR structure of the peptide was determined from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) micelles, the optimization was needed to find the most suitable conformation and orientation in lipid bilayers. The reported experimental results indicate that the optimized MSI-594 helical hairpin structure adopts a complete lipid bilayer surface-bound orientation (denoted "face-on") in both POPC and 7:3 POPC/POPG lipid bilayers. The analogue peptide, MSI-584A, on the other hand, exhibited a larger bent angle between the N- (1-11) and C- (12-24) termini helices with the hydrophobic C-terminal helix inserted into the hydrophobic region of the bilayer (denoted "membrane-inserted") when interacting with both POPC and 7:3 POPC/POPG lipid bilayers. These experimental findings on the membrane orientations suggest that both peptides are likely to disrupt the cell membrane through the carpet mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
| | - Wen Guo
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
| | - Zhan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, United States
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6
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Woodhams DC, McCartney J, Walke JB, Whetstone R. The adaptive microbiome hypothesis and immune interactions in amphibian mucus. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 145:104690. [PMID: 37001710 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The microbiome is known to provide benefits to hosts, including extension of immune function. Amphibians are a powerful immunological model for examining mucosal defenses because of an accessible epithelial mucosome throughout their developmental trajectory, their responsiveness to experimental treatments, and direct interactions with emerging infectious pathogens. We review amphibian skin mucus components and describe the adaptive microbiome as a novel process of disease resilience where competitive microbial interactions couple with host immune responses to select for functions beneficial to the host. We demonstrate microbiome diversity, specificity of function, and mechanisms for memory characteristic of an adaptive immune response. At a time when industrialization has been linked to losses in microbiota important for host health, applications of microbial therapies such as probiotics may contribute to immunotherapeutics and to conservation efforts for species currently threatened by emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas C Woodhams
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA.
| | - Julia McCartney
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Jenifer B Walke
- Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, 99004-2440, USA
| | - Ross Whetstone
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
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7
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The Complex Bridge between Aquatic and Terrestrial Life: Skin Changes during Development of Amphibians. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11010006. [PMID: 36810458 PMCID: PMC9944868 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin is a particularly complex organ that is primarily responsible for respiration, osmoregulation, thermoregulation, defense, water absorption, and communication. The skin, as well as many other organs in the amphibian body, has undergone the most extensive rearrangement in the adaptation from water to land. Structural and physiological features of skin in amphibians are presented within this review. We aim to procure extensive and updated information on the evolutionary history of amphibians and their transition from water to land-that is, the changes seen in their skin from the larval stages to adulthood from the points of morphology, physiology, and immunology.
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8
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Morales-Martínez A, Bertrand B, Hernández-Meza JM, Garduño-Juárez R, Silva-Sanchez J, Munoz-Garay C. Membrane fluidity, composition, and charge affect the activity and selectivity of the AMP ascaphin-8. Biophys J 2022; 121:3034-3048. [PMID: 35842753 PMCID: PMC9463648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascaphins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that have been shown to have potential in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR). However, to date, their principal molecular target and mechanism of action are unknown. Results from peptide prediction software and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that ascaphin-8 is an alpha-helical peptide. For the first time, the peptide was described as membranotrophic using biophysical approaches including calcein liposome leakage, Laurdan general polarization, and dynamic light scattering. Ascaphin-8's activity and selectivity were modulated by rearranging the spatial distribution of lysine (Var-K5), aspartic acid (Var-D4) residues, or substitution of phenylalanine with tyrosine (Var-Y). The parental peptide and its variants presented high affinity toward the bacterial membrane model (≤2 μM), but lost activity in sterol-enriched membranes (mammal and fungal models, with cholesterol and ergosterol, respectively). The peptide-induced pore size was estimated to be >20 nm in the bacterial model, with no difference among peptides. The same pattern was observed in membrane fluidity (general polarization) assays, where all peptides reduced membrane fluidity of the bacterial model but not in the models containing sterols. The peptides also showed high activity toward MDR bacteria. Moreover, peptide sensitivity of the artificial membrane models compared with pathogenic bacterial isolates were in good agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Morales-Martínez
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICF-UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Brandt Bertrand
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICF-UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Juan M Hernández-Meza
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICF-UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Ramón Garduño-Juárez
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICF-UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Jesús Silva-Sanchez
- Centro de Investigación sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
| | - Carlos Munoz-Garay
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICF-UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
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9
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Progress Report: Antimicrobial Drug Discovery in the Resistance Era. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040413. [PMID: 35455410 PMCID: PMC9030565 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance continues to be a most serious threat to public health. This situation demands that the scientific community increase their efforts for the discovery of alternative strategies to circumvent the problems associated with conventional small molecule therapeutics. The Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) Report (published in June 2021) discloses the rapidly increasing number of bacterial infections that are mainly caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. These concerns have initiated various government agencies and other organizations to educate the public regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics. This review discusses a brief highlight on the timeline of antimicrobial drug discovery with a special emphasis on the historical development of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, new antimicrobial targets and approaches, recent developments in drug screening, design, and delivery were covered. This review also discusses the emergence and roles of various antibiotic adjuvants and combination therapies while shedding light on current challenges and future perspectives. Overall, the emergence of resistant microbial strains has challenged drug discovery but their efforts to develop alternative technologies such as nanomaterials seem to be promising for the future.
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10
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Overview of Host Defense Peptides with Promising Anti-Breast Cancer Activity. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/sjecr-2021-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women worldwide. The main limitations of conventional anti-cancer therapy, including breast cancer treatment, are side effects and the development of resistance to chemotherapeutics. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are bioactive compounds of innate immunity isolated from almost all living organisms, which exhibit wide range of biological activities. This review focuses on the anti-cancer effects of HDPs and their therapeutic potential against breast cancer. Numerous HDPs from different sources, including mammalian and amphibian origin, and their chemically modified analogues, exert the spectrum of anti-cancer activities. These effects include direct disruption of cancer cell membrane, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and cancer cell proliferation, but also the modulation of anti-cancer immune response. Selected examples of HDPs of different origin and their anti-breast cancer capacities have been reviewed. Conclusively, due to their anti-cancer effects accompanied by substantial selectivity for cancer cells and low toxicity for normal cells, HDPs have been widely recognized as possible therapeutic agents.
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11
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de Sousa NA, Marani MM, Lopes ALF, Silva EM, Barbosa EA, Vasconcelos AG, Kuzniewski FTB, Lustosa SS, Gomes KP, Colugnati DB, Rocha JA, Santos LH, Benquerer MP, Quelemes P, Véras L, Moreira DC, Gadelha KKL, Magalhães PJC, Plácido A, Eaton P, Nicolau L, Medeiros JVR, Leite JRSA. BR-bombesin: a novel bombesin-related peptide from the skin secretion of the Chaco tree frog (Boana raniceps) with physiological gastric effects. Amino Acids 2022; 54:733-747. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03114-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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12
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Barros ALAN, Hamed A, Marani M, Moreira DC, Eaton P, Plácido A, Kato MJ, Leite JRSA. The Arsenal of Bioactive Molecules in the Skin Secretion of Urodele Amphibians. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:810821. [PMID: 35095522 PMCID: PMC8795703 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.810821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Urodele amphibians (∼768 spp.), salamanders and newts, are a rich source of molecules with bioactive properties, especially those isolated from their skin secretions. These include pharmacological attributes, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, vasoactive, immune system modulation, and dermal wound healing activities. Considering the high demand for new compounds to guide the discovery of new drugs to treat conventional and novel diseases, this review summarizes the characteristics of molecules identified in the skin of urodele amphibians. We describe urodele-derived peptides and alkaloids, with emphasis on their biological activities, which can be considered new scaffolds for the pharmaceutical industry. Although much more attention has been given to anurans, bioactive molecules produced by urodeles have the potential to be used for biotechnological purposes and stand as viable alternatives for the development of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L A N Barros
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Tropical, PPGMT, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, NMT, Faculdade de Medicina, UnB, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Abdelaaty Hamed
- Instituto de Química, IQ, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City-Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariela Marani
- IPEEC-CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Daniel C Moreira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Peter Eaton
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Joseph Banks Laboratories, The Bridge, School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Plácido
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Bioprospectum, Lda, UPTEC, Porto, Portugal
| | - Massuo J Kato
- Instituto de Química, IQ, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Roberto S A Leite
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Tropical, PPGMT, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, NMT, Faculdade de Medicina, UnB, Brasília, Brazil.,Bioprospectum, Lda, UPTEC, Porto, Portugal
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13
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Xiong W, Li J, Feng Y, Chai J, Wu J, Hu Y, Tian M, Lu W, Xu X, Zou M. Brevinin-2GHk, a Peptide Derived from the Skin of Fejervarya limnocharis, Inhibits Zika Virus Infection by Disrupting Viral Integrity. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122382. [PMID: 34960651 PMCID: PMC8708736 DOI: 10.3390/v13122382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Several years have passed since the Zika virus (ZIKV) pandemic reoccurred in 2015–2016. However, there is still a lack of proved protective vaccines or effective drugs against ZIKV. The peptide brevinin-2GHk (BR2GK), pertaining to the brevinin-2 family of antimicrobial peptides, has been reported to exhibit only weak antibacterial activity, and its antiviral effects have not been investigated. Thus, we analyzed the effect of BR2GK on ZIKV infection. BR2GK showed significant inhibitory activity in the early and middle stages of ZIKV infection, with negligible cytotoxicity. Furthermore, BR2GK was suggested to bind with ZIKV E protein and disrupt the integrity of the envelope, thus directly inactivating ZIKV. In addition, BR2GK can also penetrate the cell membrane, which may contribute to inhibition of the middle stage of ZIKV infection. BR2GK blocked ZIKV E protein expression with an IC50 of 3.408 ± 0.738 μΜ. In summary, BR2GK was found to be a multi-functional candidate and a potential lead compound for further development of anti-ZIKV drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichen Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jingyan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yifei Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiena Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yunrui Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Maolin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wancheng Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (M.Z.)
| | - Min Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; (W.X.); (J.L.); (Y.F.); (J.C.); (J.W.); (Y.H.); (M.T.); (W.L.)
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Correspondence: (X.X.); (M.Z.)
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