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Bozidis P, Markou E, Gouni A, Gartzonika K. Does Phage Therapy Need a Pan-Phage? Pathogens 2024; 13:522. [PMID: 38921819 PMCID: PMC11206709 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is undoubtedly one of the most serious global health threats. One response to this threat that has been gaining momentum over the past decade is 'phage therapy'. According to this, lytic bacteriophages are used for the treatment of bacterial infections, either alone or in combination with antimicrobial agents. However, to ensure the efficacy and broad applicability of phage therapy, several challenges must be overcome. These challenges encompass the development of methods and strategies for the host range manipulation and bypass of the resistance mechanisms developed by pathogenic bacteria, as has been the case since the advent of antibiotics. As our knowledge and understanding of the interactions between phages and their hosts evolves, the key issue is to define the host range for each application. In this article, we discuss the factors that affect host range and how this determines the classification of phages into different categories of action. For each host range group, recent representative examples are provided, together with suggestions on how the different groups can be used to combat certain types of bacterial infections. The available methodologies for host range expansion, either through sequential adaptation to a new pathogen or through genetic engineering techniques, are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Bozidis
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Eleftheria Markou
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Athanasia Gouni
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Konstantina Gartzonika
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (A.G.)
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Yu X, Cheng L, Yi X, Li B, Li X, Liu X, Liu Z, Kong X. Gut phageome: challenges in research and impact on human microbiota. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1379382. [PMID: 38585689 PMCID: PMC10995246 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1379382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The human gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining our health. Fluctuations in the diversity and structure of the gut microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several metabolic and inflammatory conditions. Dietary patterns, medication, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity can all influence the abundance of different types of microbiota in the gut, which in turn can affect the health of individuals. Intestinal phages are an essential component of the gut microbiome, but most studies predominantly focus on the structure and dynamics of gut bacteria while neglecting the role of phages in shaping the gut microbiome. As bacteria-killing viruses, the distribution of bacteriophages in the intestine, their role in influencing the intestinal microbiota, and their mechanisms of action remain elusive. Herein, we present an overview of the current knowledge of gut phages, their lifestyles, identification, and potential impact on the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Li Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Pathology, Hospital of Shanxi People’s Armed Police, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xin Yi
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bing Li
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xueqin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The General Hospital of Jincheng Coal Industry Group, Jincheng, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaomei Kong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Pneumoconiosis, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Podlacha M, Węgrzyn G, Węgrzyn A. Bacteriophages-Dangerous Viruses Acting Incognito or Underestimated Saviors in the Fight against Bacteria? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2107. [PMID: 38396784 PMCID: PMC10889324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042107] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The steadily increasing number of drug-resistant bacterial species has prompted the search for alternative treatments, resulting in a growing interest in bacteriophages. Although they are viruses infecting bacterial cells, bacteriophages are an extremely important part of the human microbiota. By interacting with eukaryotic cells, they are able to modulate the functioning of many systems, including the immune and nervous systems, affecting not only the homeostasis of the organism, but potentially also the regulation of pathological processes. Therefore, the aim of this review is to answer the questions of (i) how animal/human immune systems respond to bacteriophages under physiological conditions and under conditions of reduced immunity, especially during bacterial infection; (ii) whether bacteriophages can induce negative changes in brain functioning after crossing the blood-brain barrier, which could result in various disorders or in an increase in the risk of neurodegenerative diseases; and (iii) how bacteriophages can modify gut microbiota. The crucial dilemma is whether administration of bacteriophages is always beneficial or rather if it may involve any risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Podlacha
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (M.P.); (G.W.)
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Phage Therapy Center, University Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Research, University of Gdansk, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
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Marsiglia R, Marangelo C, Vernocchi P, Scanu M, Pane S, Russo A, Guanziroli E, Del Chierico F, Valeriani M, Molteni F, Putignani L. Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study. Microorganisms 2023; 12:37. [PMID: 38257864 PMCID: PMC10819831 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) can be caused by perturbations of the gut-brain axis. An imbalance in the gut microbiota (GM), or dysbiosis, may be linked to several IS risk factors and can influence the brain through the production of different metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), indole and derivatives. This study examines ecological changes in the GM and its metabolic activities after stroke. Fecal samples of 10 IS patients were compared to 21 healthy controls (CTRLs). GM ecological profiles were generated via 16S rRNA taxonomy as functional profiles using metabolomics analysis performed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Additionally fecal zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, was measured using an enzyme-linked immuno assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses and correlated with clinical features and biochemical variables using correlation and nonparametric tests. Metabolomic analyses, carried out on a subject subgroup, revealed a high concentration of fecal metabolites, such as SCFAs, in the GM of IS patients, which was corroborated by the enrichment of SCFA-producing bacterial genera such as Bacteroides, Christensellaceae, Alistipes and Akkermansia. Conversely, indole and 3-methyl indole (skatole) decreased compared to a subset of six CTRLs. This study illustrates how IS might affect the gut microbial milieu and may suggest potential microbial and metabolic biomarkers of IS. Expanded populations of Akkermansia and enrichment of acetic acid could be considered potential disease phenotype signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Marsiglia
- Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.M.); (P.V.); (M.S.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Chiara Marangelo
- Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.M.); (P.V.); (M.S.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Pamela Vernocchi
- Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.M.); (P.V.); (M.S.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Matteo Scanu
- Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.M.); (P.V.); (M.S.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Stefania Pane
- Unit of Microbiomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessandra Russo
- Unit of Microbiomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.P.); (A.R.)
| | - Eleonora Guanziroli
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como, 23845 Costa Masnaga, Italy; (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Federica Del Chierico
- Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.M.); (P.V.); (M.S.); (F.D.C.)
| | - Massimiliano Valeriani
- Developmental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
- Center for Sensory Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como, 23845 Costa Masnaga, Italy; (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Lorenza Putignani
- Unit of Microbiomics and Research Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
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