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Paterniti I, Scuderi SA, Cambria L, Nostro A, Esposito E, Marino A. Protective Effect of Probiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1770. [PMID: 38339047 PMCID: PMC10855269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Probiotic therapy needs consideration as an alternative strategy to prevent and possibly treat corneal infection. This study aimed to assess the preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis on reducing the infection of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The probiotics' preventive effect against infection was evaluated in cell monolayers pretreated with each probiotic 1 h and 24 h prior to P. aeruginosa challenge followed by 1 h and 24 h of growth in combination. Cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and antinitrosative activities were evaluated. L. reuteri and B. longum adhered to HCE cells, preserved occludin tight junctions' integrity, and increased mucin production on a SkinEthicTM HCE model. Pretreatment with L. reuteri or B. longum significantly protected HCE cells from infection at 24 h, increasing cell viability at 110% (110.51 ± 5.15; p ≤ 0.05) and 137% (137.55 ± 11.97; p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Each probiotic showed anti-inflammatory and antinitrosative activities, reducing TNF-α level (p ≤ 0.001) and NOx amount (p ≤ 0.001) and reestablishing IL-10 level (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that L. reuteri and B. longum exert protective effects in the context of corneal infection caused by P. aeruginosa by restoring cell viability and modulating inflammatory cytokine release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andreana Marino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (I.P.); (S.A.S.); (L.C.); (A.N.); (E.E.)
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Awasthi S, Singh B, Ramani V, Godbole NM, King C. Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum and histone proteins in immunomodulation by TLR4-interacting SPA4 peptide against Escherichia coli. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0031123. [PMID: 37909750 PMCID: PMC10714950 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00311-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary host defense is critical for the control of lung infection and inflammation. An increased expression and activity of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) induce phagocytic uptake/clearance and inflammation against Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we addressed the mechanistic aspect of the immunomodulatory activity of the TLR4-interacting SPA4 peptide (amino acid sequence GDFRYSDGTPVNYTNWYRGE) against Escherichia coli. Binding of the SPA4 peptide to bacteria and direct anti-bacterial effects were investigated using flow cytometric, microscopic, and bacteriological methods. The bacterial uptake and inflammatory cytokine response were studied in dendritic cells expressing endogenous basal level of TLR4 or overexpressing TLR4. The subcellular distribution and co-localization of TLR4 and bacteria were investigated by immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, we studied the cellular expression and co-localization of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecules (calnexin and ER membrane protein complex subunit 1; EMC1) with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in cells infected with E. coli and treated with the SPA4 peptide. Simultaneously, the expression of histone H2A protein was quantitated by immunoblotting. Our results demonstrate no binding or direct killing of the bacteria by SPA4 peptide. Instead, it induces the uptake and localization of E. coli in the phagolysosomes for lysis and simultaneously suppresses the secreted levels of TNF-α. Overexpression of TLR4 further augments the pro-phagocytic and anti-inflammatory activity of SPA4 peptide. A time-dependent change in subcellular distribution of TLR4 and an increased co-localization of TLR4 with E. coli in SPA4 peptide-treated cells suggest an enhanced recognition and internalization of bacteria in conjugation with TLR4. Furthermore, an increased co-localization of calnexin and EMC1 with LAMP1 indicates the involvement of ER in pro-phagocytic activity of SPA4 peptide. Simultaneous reduction in secreted amounts of TNF-α coincides with suppressed histone H2A protein expression in the SPA4 peptide-treated cells. These results provide initial insights into the plausible role of ER and histones in the TLR4-immunomodulatory activity of SPA4 peptide against Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanjana Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Bhupinder Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Vijay Ramani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Nachiket M. Godbole
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Catherine King
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Marasini S, Craig JP, Dean SJ, Leanse LG. Managing Corneal Infections: Out with the old, in with the new? Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1334. [PMID: 37627753 PMCID: PMC10451842 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
There have been multiple reports of eye infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with increasing evidence of ineffective treatment outcomes from existing therapies. With respect to corneal infections, the most commonly used antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporines) are demonstrating reduced efficacy against bacterial keratitis isolates. While traditional methods are losing efficacy, several novel technologies are under investigation, including light-based anti-infective technology with or without chemical substrates, phage therapy, and probiotics. Many of these methods show non-selective antimicrobial activity with potential development as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Multiple preclinical studies and a limited number of clinical case studies have confirmed the efficacy of some of these novel methods. However, given the rapid evolution of corneal infections, their treatment requires rapid institution to limit the impact on vision and prevent complications such as scarring and corneal perforation. Given their rapid effects on microbial viability, light-based technologies seem particularly promising in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Marasini
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (S.M.); (J.P.C.); (S.J.D.)
| | - Jennifer P. Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (S.M.); (J.P.C.); (S.J.D.)
| | - Simon J. Dean
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (S.M.); (J.P.C.); (S.J.D.)
| | - Leon G. Leanse
- Health and Sports Sciences Hub, Europa Point Campus, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Regueiro U, López-López M, Varela-Fernández R, Otero-Espinar FJ, Lema I. Biomedical Applications of Lactoferrin on the Ocular Surface. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030865. [PMID: 36986726 PMCID: PMC10052036 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) is a first-line defense protein with a pleiotropic functional pattern that includes anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumoral properties. Remarkably, this iron-binding glycoprotein promotes iron retention, restricting free radical production and avoiding oxidative damage and inflammation. On the ocular surface, LF is released from corneal epithelial cells and lacrimal glands, representing a significant percentage of the total tear fluid proteins. Due to its multifunctionality, the availability of LF may be limited in several ocular disorders. Consequently, to reinforce the action of this highly beneficial glycoprotein on the ocular surface, LF has been proposed for the treatment of different conditions such as dry eye, keratoconus, conjunctivitis, and viral or bacterial ocular infections, among others. In this review, we outline the structure and the biological functions of LF, its relevant role at the ocular surface, its implication in LF-related ocular surface disorders, and its potential for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uxía Regueiro
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maite López-López
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rubén Varela-Fernández
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Otero-Espinar
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Institute of Materials (iMATUS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.O.-E.); (I.L.)
| | - Isabel Lema
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Galician Institute of Ophthalmology (INGO), Conxo Provincial Hospital, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.O.-E.); (I.L.)
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