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Heil M. Self-DNA driven inflammation in COVID-19 and after mRNA-based vaccination: lessons for non-COVID-19 pathologies. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1259879. [PMID: 38439942 PMCID: PMC10910434 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1259879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic triggered an unprecedented concentration of economic and research efforts to generate knowledge at unequalled speed on deregulated interferon type I signalling and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer in B-cells (NF-κB)-driven interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18 secretion causing cytokine storms. The translation of the knowledge on how the resulting systemic inflammation can lead to life-threatening complications into novel treatments and vaccine technologies is underway. Nevertheless, previously existing knowledge on the role of cytoplasmatic or circulating self-DNA as a pro-inflammatory damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) was largely ignored. Pathologies reported 'de novo' for patients infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 to be outcomes of self-DNA-driven inflammation in fact had been linked earlier to self-DNA in different contexts, e.g., the infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1, sterile inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. I highlight particularly how synergies with other DAMPs can render immunogenic properties to normally non-immunogenic extracellular self-DNA, and I discuss the shared features of the gp41 unit of the HIV-1 envelope protein and the SARS-CoV 2 Spike protein that enable HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 to interact with cell or nuclear membranes, trigger syncytia formation, inflict damage to their host's DNA, and trigger inflammation - likely for their own benefit. These similarities motivate speculations that similar mechanisms to those driven by gp41 can explain how inflammatory self-DNA contributes to some of most frequent adverse events after vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer/BioNTech) or the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine, i.e., myocarditis, herpes zoster, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune nephritis or hepatitis, new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, and flare-ups of psoriasis or lupus. The hope is to motivate a wider application of the lessons learned from the experiences with COVID-19 and the new mRNA vaccines to combat future non-COVID-19 diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Heil
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, Laboratorio de Ecología de Plantas, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV)-Unidad Irapuato, Irapuato, Mexico
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Fu J, Zong X, Jin M, Min J, Wang F, Wang Y. Mechanisms and regulation of defensins in host defense. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:300. [PMID: 37574471 PMCID: PMC10423725 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As a family of cationic host defense peptides, defensins are mainly synthesized by Paneth cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, contributing to host defense. Their biological functions in innate immunity, as well as their structure and activity relationships, along with their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential, have been of great interest in recent years. To highlight the key research into the role of defensins in human and animal health, we first describe their research history, structural features, evolution, and antimicrobial mechanisms. Next, we cover the role of defensins in immune homeostasis, chemotaxis, mucosal barrier function, gut microbiota regulation, intestinal development and regulation of cell death. Further, we discuss their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential in various diseases, including infectious disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and obesity, chronic inflammatory lung disease, periodontitis and cancer. Finally, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the nutrient-dependent regulation of defensins, including fatty acids, amino acids, microelements, plant extracts, and probiotics, while considering the clinical application of such regulation. Together, the review summarizes the various biological functions, mechanism of actions and potential clinical significance of defensins, along with the challenges in developing defensins-based therapy, thus providing crucial insights into their biology and potential clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xin Zong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mingliang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Junxia Min
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fudi Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.
| | - Yizhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Eastern China, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Deņisova A, Pilmane M, Kažoka D. Antimicrobial Peptides and Interleukins in Cleft Soft Palate. Children (Basel) 2023; 10:1162. [PMID: 37508659 PMCID: PMC10378461 DOI: 10.3390/children10071162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Cleft palate is one of the most common and well-studied congenital anomalies; however, the role of protective tissue factors in its pathophysiology is still debated. The aim of our study was to evaluate interleukin and antimicrobial peptide appearance and distribution in cleft palate. Eight soft palate samples were obtained during veloplasty procedures. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect HBD-2-, HBD-3-, HBD-4-, LL-37-, IL-10-, and CD-163-positive cells via light microscopy. For statistical evaluation, the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used. A significant difference between study groups was observed for HBD-2 and IL-10 in epithelial and connective tissue as well as HBD-4 in connective tissue. The number of HBD-3-positive cells was moderate in the patients, and few were observed in the controls. The number of LL-37-positive cells varied from a moderate amount to a numerous amount in both study groups, whilst CD-163 marked a moderate number of positive cells in patients, and a few-to-moderate amount was observed in the controls. Numerous correlations between studied factors were revealed in cleft tissues. The increase in antimicrobial peptides HBD-2 and HBD-4 and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 suggested a wide compensatory elevation of the local immune system against cleft-raised tissue changes. The correlations between the studied factors (HBD-2, HBD-3, HBD-4, LL-37, and IL-10) proved the synergistic involvement of common local defense factors in postnatal cleft palate morphopathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Deņisova
- Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, Riga Stradins University, Kronvalda Boulevard 9, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
| | - Māra Pilmane
- Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, Riga Stradins University, Kronvalda Boulevard 9, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dzintra Kažoka
- Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, Riga Stradins University, Kronvalda Boulevard 9, LV-1010 Riga, Latvia
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Adyns L, Proost P, Struyf S. Role of Defensins in Tumor Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5268. [PMID: 36982340 PMCID: PMC10049535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Defensins have long been considered as merely antimicrobial peptides. Throughout the years, more immune-related functions have been discovered for both the α-defensin and β-defensin subfamily. This review provides insights into the role of defensins in tumor immunity. Since defensins are present and differentially expressed in certain cancer types, researchers started to unravel their role in the tumor microenvironment. The human neutrophil peptides have been demonstrated to be directly oncolytic by permealizing the cell membrane. Further, defensins can inflict DNA damage and induce apoptosis of tumor cells. In the tumor microenvironment, defensins can act as chemoattractants for subsets of immune cells, such as T cells, immature dendritic cells, monocytes and mast cells. Additionally, by activating the targeted leukocytes, defensins generate pro-inflammatory signals. Moreover, immuno-adjuvant effects have been reported in a variety of models. Therefore, the action of defensins reaches beyond their direct antimicrobial effect, i.e., the lysis of microbes invading the mucosal surfaces. By causing an increase in pro-inflammatory signaling events, cell lysis (generating antigens) and attraction and activation of antigen presenting cells, defensins could have a relevant role in activating the adaptive immune system and generating anti-tumor immunity, and could thus contribute to the success of immune therapy.
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Shelley JR, McHugh BJ, Wills J, Dorin JR, Weller R, Clarke DJ, Davidson DJ. A mechanistic evaluation of human beta defensin 2 mediated protection of human skin barrier in vitro. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2271. [PMID: 36755116 PMCID: PMC9908873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29558-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human skin barrier, a biological imperative, is impaired in inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Staphylococcus aureus is associated with AD lesions and contributes to pathological inflammation and further barrier impairment. S. aureus secretes extracellular proteases, such as V8 (or 'SspA'), which cleave extracellular proteins to reduce skin barrier. Previous studies demonstrated that the host defence peptide human beta-defensin 2 (HBD2) prevented V8-mediated damage. Here, the mechanism of HBD2-mediated barrier protection in vitro is examined. Application of exogenous HBD2 provided protection against V8, irrespective of timeline of application or native peptide folding, raising the prospect of simple peptide analogues as therapeutics. HBD2 treatment, in context of V8-mediated damage, modulated the proteomic/secretomic profiles of HaCaT cells, altering levels of specific extracellular matrix proteins, potentially recovering V8 damage. However, HBD2 alone did not substantially modulate cellular proteomic/secretomics profiles in the absence of damage, suggesting possible therapeutic targeting of lesion damage sites only. HBD2 did not show any direct protease inhibition or induce expression of known antiproteases, did not alter keratinocyte migration or proliferation, or form protective nanonet structures. These data validate the barrier-protective properties of HBD2 in vitro and establish key protein datasets for further targeted mechanistic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Shelley
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK.
- The Commonwealth Building, The Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Brian J McHugh
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Jimi Wills
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital Campus, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, Scotland, UK
| | - Julia R Dorin
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Richard Weller
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - David J Clarke
- The EastChem School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Donald J Davidson
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
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Smith KJ, Gwyer Findlay E. Expression of antimicrobial host defence peptides in the central nervous system during health and disease. Discov Immunol 2022; 1:kyac003. [PMID: 38566904 PMCID: PMC10917193 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial host defence peptides (HDP) are critical for the first line of defence against bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Over the past decade we have become more aware that, in addition to their antimicrobial roles, they also possess the potent immunomodulatory capacity. This includes chemoattracting immune cells, activating dendritic cells and macrophages, and altering T-cell differentiation. Most examinations of their immunomodulatory roles have focused on tissues in which they are very abundant, such as the intestine and the inflamed skin. However, HDP have now been detected in the brain and the spinal cord during a number of conditions. We propose that their presence in the central nervous system (CNS) during homeostasis, infection, and neurodegenerative disease has the potential to contribute to immunosurveillance, alter host responses and skew developing immunity. Here, we review the evidence for HDP expression and function in the CNS in health and disease. We describe how a wide range of HDP are expressed in the CNS of humans, rodents, birds, and fish, suggesting a conserved role in protecting the brain from pathogens, with evidence of production by resident CNS cells. We highlight differences in methodology used and how this may have resulted in the immunomodulatory roles of HDP being overlooked. Finally, we discuss what HDP expression may mean for CNS immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie J Smith
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emily Gwyer Findlay
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, UK
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Deņisova A, Pilmane M, Fedirko P. Glycosaminoglycan, Antimicrobial Defence Molecule and Cytokine Appearance in Tracheal Hyaline Cartilage of Healthy Humans. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2022; 7. [PMID: 35893329 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk7030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyaline cartilage is an important tracheal structure, yet little is known about its molecular composition, complicating investigation of pathologies and replacement options. Our aim was to research tracheal hyaline cartilage structure, protective tissue factors and variations in healthy humans. The tissue material was obtained from 10 cadavers obtained from the Riga Stradins University Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology archive. Tissues were stained with Bismarck brown and PAS for glycosaminoglycans, and immunohistochemistry was performed for HBD-2, HBD-3, HBD-4, IL-10 and LL-37. The slides were inspected by light microscopy and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated. The extracellular matrix was positive across hyaline cartilage for PAS, yet Bismarck brown marked positive proliferation and growth zones. Numerous positive cells for both factors were found in all zones. All of the antimicrobial defence molecules and cytokines were found in a moderate number of cells, except in the mature cell zone with few positive cells. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient revealed strong and moderate correlations between studied factors. Hyaline cartilage is a tracheal defence structure with a moderate number of antimicrobial defence protein and cytokine immunoreactive cells as well as numerous glycosaminoglycan positive cells. The extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans provide structural scaffolding and intercellular signalling. The correlations between the studied factors confirm the synergistic activity of them.
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Bugli F, Martini C, Di Vito M, Cacaci M, Catalucci D, Gori A, Iafisco M, Sanguinetti M, Vitali A. Antimicrobial peptides for tackling cystic fibrosis related bacterial infections: a review. Microbiol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Lohova E, Vitenberga-Verza Z, Kazoka D, Pilmane M. Local Defence System in Healthy Lungs. Clin Pract 2021; 11:728-746. [PMID: 34698129 PMCID: PMC8544484 DOI: 10.3390/clinpract11040088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The respiratory system is one of the main entrance gates for infection. The aim of this work was to compare the appearance of specific mucosal pro-inflammatory and common anti-microbial defence factors in healthy lung tissue, from an ontogenetic point of view. Materials and methods: Healthy lung tissues were collected from 15 patients (three females and 12 males) in the age range from 18 to 86. Immunohistochemistry to human β defensin 2 (HBD-2), human β defensin 3 (HBD-3), human β defensin 4 (HBD-4), cathelicidine (LL-37) and interleukine 17A (IL-17A) were performed. Results: The lung tissue material contained bronchial and lung parenchyma material in which no histological changes, connected with the inflammatory process, were detected. During the study, various statistically significant differences were detected in immunoreactive expression between different factors in all lung tissue structures. Conclusion: All healthy lung structures, but especially the cartilage, alveolar epithelium and the alveolar macrophages, are the main locations for the baseline synthesis of antimicrobial proteins and IL-17A. Cartilage shows high functional plasticity of this structure, including significant antimicrobial activity and participation in local lung protection response. Interrelated changes between antimicrobial proteins in different tissue confirm baseline synergistical cooperation of all these factors in healthy lung host defence.
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Zhou J, Deng GM. The role of bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs in diseases. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 109:991-998. [PMID: 33527516 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3mr1220-748rrrrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial DNA containing unmethylated CpG motifs can activate immune cells to release proinflammatory cytokines. Here, the role of bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs in diseases with a focus on arthritis is discussed. Our studies demonstrate that the intraarticular injection of bacterial DNA and oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODN) induced arthritis. The induction of arthritis involves the role of macrophages over other cells such as neutrophils, NK cells, and lymphocytes. TNF-α and TNFRI play an important role in the development of arthritis. NF-κB also plays a critical regulatory role in arthritis. Systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, along with antibiotic therapy, has beneficial effects on the course and the outcome of bacterial arthritis. Thus, future treatment strategies for bacterial arthritis should include attempts to minimizing bacterial growth while blocking the proinflammatory effects of the bacterial DNA. Significant therapeutic efficiency has also been shown by CpG ODN-mediated Th1 immune activation in mouse models of cancer, infectious disease, and allergy/asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guo-Min Deng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Abstract
Defensins are short, rapidly evolving, cationic antimicrobial host defence peptides with a repertoire of functions, still incompletely realised, that extends beyond direct microbial killing. They are released or secreted at epithelial surfaces, and in some cases, from immune cells in response to infection and inflammation. Defensins have been described as endogenous alarmins, alerting the body to danger and responding to inflammatory signals by promoting both local innate and adaptive systemic immune responses. However, there is now increasing evidence that they exert variable control on the response to danger; creating a dichotomous response that can suppress inflammation in some circumstances but exacerbate the response to danger and damage in others and, at higher levels, lead to a cytotoxic effect. Focussing in this review on human β-defensins, we discuss the evidence for their functions as proinflammatory, immune activators amplifying the response to infection or damage signals and/or as mediators of resolution of damage, contributing to a return to homeostasis. Finally, we consider their involvement in the development of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Shelley
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Donald J Davidson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Julia R Dorin
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, Scotland
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Mookherjee N, Anderson MA, Haagsman HP, Davidson DJ. Antimicrobial host defence peptides: functions and clinical potential. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:311-332. [DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0058-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 425] [Impact Index Per Article: 106.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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van Boeckel SR, Macpherson H, Norman JE, Davidson DJ, Stock SJ. Inflammation-mediated generation and inflammatory potential of human placental cell-free fetal DNA. Placenta 2020; 93:49-55. [PMID: 32250739 PMCID: PMC7146537 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Circulating DNA can be pro-inflammatory when detected by leukocytes via toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) of placental origin, circulates in pregnancy, and increased concentrations are seen in conditions associated with placental and maternal inflammation such as pre-eclampsia. However, whether cff-DNA is directly pro-inflammatory in pregnant women and what regulates cff-DNA levels in pregnancy are unknown. Methods Using a human term placental explant model, we examined whether induction of placental inflammation can promote cff-DNA release, and the capacity of this cff-DNA to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pregnant women. Results We demonstrate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation in placental explants and induced apoptosis after 24 h. However, this did not increase levels of cff-DNA generation compared to controls. Furthermore, the methylation status of the cff-DNA, was not altered by LPS-induced inflammation. Cff-DNA did not elicit production of inflammatory cytokines from PBMCs, in contrast to exposure to LPS or the TLR9 agonist CpG-ODN. Finally, we demonstrate that cff-DNA acquired directly from pregnant women did not differ in methylation status from placental extracted DNA, or from placental explant generated cell-free DNA, and that, unlike Escherichia coli DNA, this cff-DNA has a low level of unmethylated CpG sequences. Discussion Our data suggest that placental inflammation does not increase release of cff-DNA and that placental cff-DNA is not pro-inflammatory to circulating PBMCs. It thus seems unlikely that high levels of cff-DNA are either a direct consequence or cause of inflammation observed in obstetric complications. Cell-free fetal DNA was generated using a human placental explant model. Lipopolysaccharide causes inflammation and cell death in placental explants. Inflammation does not increase cell-free fetal DNA release from placental explants. Generated DNA does not elicit inflammation from blood cells from pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R van Boeckel
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Heather Macpherson
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E Norman
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Donald J Davidson
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, QMRI, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Stock
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh NINE Edinburgh BioQuarter, 9 Little France Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX, United Kingdom
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Batra V, Maheshwarappa A, Dagar K, Kumar S, Soni A, Kumaresan A, Kumar R, Datta TK. Unusual interplay of contrasting selective pressures on β-defensin genes implicated in male fertility of the Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:214. [PMID: 31771505 PMCID: PMC6878701 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1535-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The buffalo, despite its superior milk-producing ability, suffers from reproductive limitations that constrain its lifetime productivity. Male sub-fertility, manifested as low conception rates (CRs), is a major concern in buffaloes. The epididymal sperm surface-binding proteins which participate in the sperm surface remodelling (SSR) events affect the survival and performance of the spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract (FRT). A mutation in an epididymal secreted protein, beta-defensin 126 (DEFB-126/BD-126), a class-A beta-defensin (CA-BD), resulted in decreased CRs in human cohorts across the globe. To better understand the role of CA-BDs in buffalo reproduction, this study aimed to identify the BD genes for characterization of the selection pressure(s) acting on them, and to identify the most abundant CA-BD transcript in the buffalo male reproductive tract (MRT) for predicting its reproductive functional significance. RESULTS Despite the low protein sequence homology with their orthologs, the CA-BDs have maintained the molecular framework and the structural core vital to their biological functions. Their coding-sequences in ruminants revealed evidence of pervasive purifying and episodic diversifying selection pressures. The buffalo CA-BD genes were expressed in the major reproductive and non-reproductive tissues exhibiting spatial variations. The Buffalo BD-129 (BuBD-129) was the most abundant and the longest CA-BD in the distal-MRT segments and was predicted to be heavily O-glycosylated. CONCLUSIONS The maintenance of the structural core, despite the sequence divergence, indicated the conservation of the molecular functions of the CA-BDs. The expression of the buffalo CA-BDs in both the distal-MRT segments and non-reproductive tissues indicate the retention the primordial microbicidal activity, which was also predicted by in silico sequence analyses. However, the observed spatial variations in their expression across the MRT hint at their region-specific roles. Their comparison across mammalian species revealed a pattern in which the various CA-BDs appeared to follow dissimilar evolutionary paths. This pattern appears to maintain only the highly efficacious CA-BD alleles and diversify their functional repertoire in the ruminants. Our preliminary results and analyses indicated that BuBD-129 could be the functional ortholog of the primate DEFB-126. Further studies are warranted to assess its molecular functions to elucidate its role in immunity, reproduction and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India
| | | | - Komal Dagar
- Animal Genomics Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Animal Genomics Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India
| | - Apoorva Soni
- Animal Genomics Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India
| | - A Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Lab, SRS of NDRI, Bengaluru, 560030, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India
| | - T K Datta
- Animal Genomics Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, India.
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15
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Catinean A, Neag MA, Mitre AO, Bocsan CI, Buzoianu AD. Microbiota and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases-An Overview. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7090279. [PMID: 31438634 PMCID: PMC6781142 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7090279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the relationship between microbiota and various diseases, especially immune-mediated diseases. Because conventional therapy for many autoimmune diseases is limited both in efficacy and safety, there is an increased interest in identifying nutraceuticals, particularly probiotics, able to modulate the microbiota and ameliorate these diseases. In this review, we analyzed the research focused on the role of gut microbiota and skin in immunity, their role in immune-mediated skin diseases (IMSDs), and the beneficial effect of probiotics in patients with this pathology. We selected articles published between 2009 and 2019 in PubMed and ScienceDirect that provided information regarding microbiota, IMSDs and the role of probiotics in these diseases. We included results from different types of studies including observational and interventional clinical trials or in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. Our results showed that probiotics have a beneficial effect in changing the microbiota of patients with IMSDs; they also influence disease progression. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of new therapies on intestinal microbiota. It is also important to determine whether the microbiota of patients with autoimmune diseases can be manipulated in order to restore homeostasis of the microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Catinean
- Department of Internal Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria Adriana Neag
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Andrei Otto Mitre
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Corina Ioana Bocsan
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Dana Buzoianu
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Abstract
Diverse commensal populations are now regarded as key to physiological homeostasis and protection against disease. Although bacteria are the most abundant component of microbiomes, and the most intensively studied, the microbiome also consists of viral, fungal, archael, and protozoan communities, about which comparatively little is known. Host-defense peptides (HDPs), originally described as antimicrobial, now have renewed significance as curators of the pervasive microbial loads required to maintain homeostasis and manage microbiome diversity. Harnessing HDP biology to transition away from non-selective, antibiotic-mediated treatments for clearance of microbes is a new paradigm, particularly in veterinary medicine. One family of evolutionarily conserved HDPs, β-defensins which are produced in diverse combinations by epithelial and immune cell populations, are multifunctional cationic peptides which manage the cross-talk between host and microbes and maintain a healthy yet dynamic equilibrium across mucosal systems. They are therefore key gatekeepers to the oral, respiratory, reproductive and enteric tissues, preventing pathogen-associated inflammation and disease and maintaining physiological normality. Expansions in the number of genes encoding these natural antibiotics have been described in the genomes of some species, the functional significance of which has only recently being appreciated. β-defensin expression has been documented pre-birth and disruptions in their regulation may play a role in maladaptive neonatal immune programming, thereby contributing to subsequent disease susceptibility. Here we review recent evidence supporting a critical role for β-defensins as farmers of the pervasive and complex prokaryotic ecosystems that occupy all body surfaces and cavities. We also share some new perspectives on the role of β-defensins as sensors of homeostasis and the immune vanguard particularly at sites of immunological privilege where inflammation is attenuated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran G. Meade
- Animal and Bioscience Research Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Ireland
| | - Cliona O'Farrelly
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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17
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Abstract
The accumulation of nucleic acids in aberrant compartments is a signal of danger: fragments of cytosolic or extracellular self-DNA indicate cellular dysfunctions or disruption, whereas cytosolic fragments of nonself-DNA or RNA indicate infections. Therefore, nucleic acids trigger immunity in mammals and plants. In mammals, endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) sense single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds) RNA or CpG-rich DNA, whereas various cytosolic receptors sense dsDNA. Although a self/nonself discrimination could favor targeted immune responses, no sequence-specific sensing of nucleic acids has been reported for mammals. Specific immune responses to extracellular self-DNA versus DNA from related species were recently reported for plants, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The subcellular localization of mammalian receptors can favor self/nonself discrimination based on the localization of DNA fragments. However, autoantibodies and diverse damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) shuttle DNA through membranes, and most of the mammalian receptors share downstream signaling elements such as stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and the master transcription regulators, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). The resulting type I interferon (IFN) response stimulates innate immunity against multiple threats-from infection to physical injury or endogenous DNA damage-all of which lead to the accumulation of eDNA or cytoplasmatic dsDNA. Therefore, no or only low selective pressures might have favored a strict self/nonself discrimination in nucleic acid sensing. We conclude that the discrimination between self- and nonself-DNA is likely to be less strict-and less important-than assumed originally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Heil
- Departmento de Ingeniería Genética, CINVESTAV-Irapuato, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
| | - Isaac Vega-Muñoz
- Departmento de Ingeniería Genética, CINVESTAV-Irapuato, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
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18
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Suff N, Karda R, Diaz JA, Ng J, Baruteau J, Perocheau D, Tangney M, Taylor PW, Peebles D, Buckley SMK, Waddington SN. Ascending Vaginal Infection Using Bioluminescent Bacteria Evokes Intrauterine Inflammation, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Brain Injury in Pregnant Mice. Am J Pathol 2018; 188:2164-2176. [PMID: 30036519 PMCID: PMC6168615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth is a serious global health problem and the leading cause of infant death before 5 years of age. At least 40% of cases are associated with infection. The most common way for pathogens to access the uterine cavity is by ascending from the vagina. Bioluminescent pathogens have revolutionized the understanding of infectious diseases. We hypothesized that bioluminescent Escherichia coli can be used to track and monitor ascending vaginal infections. Two bioluminescent strains were studied: E. coli K12 MG1655-lux, a nonpathogenic laboratory strain, and E. coli K1 A192PP-lux2, a pathogenic strain capable of causing neonatal meningitis and sepsis in neonatal rats. On embryonic day 16, mice received intravaginal E. coli K12, E. coli K1, or phosphate-buffered saline followed by whole-body bioluminescent imaging. In both cases, intravaginal delivery of E. coli K12 or E. coli K1 led to bacterial ascension into the uterine cavity, but only E. coli K1 induced preterm parturition. Intravaginal administration of E. coli K1 significantly reduced the proportion of pups born alive compared with E. coli K12 and phosphate-buffered saline controls. However, in both groups of viable pups born after bacterial inoculation, there was evidence of comparable brain inflammation by postnatal day 6. This study ascribes specific mechanisms by which exposure to intrauterine bacteria leads to premature delivery and neurologic inflammation in neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Suff
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Preterm Birth Group, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rajvinder Karda
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan A Diaz
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Ng
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Baruteau
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Metabolic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dany Perocheau
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Tangney
- SynBio Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Peter W Taylor
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Donald Peebles
- Preterm Birth Group, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne M K Buckley
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Simon N Waddington
- Gene Transfer Technology Group, University College London, London, United Kingdom; MRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Duran-Flores D, Heil M. Extracellular self-DNA as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that triggers self-specific immunity induction in plants. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 72:78-88. [PMID: 29042243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals sense self or non-self extracellular or extranuclear DNA fragments (hereinafter collectively termed eDNA) as indicators of injury or infection and respond with immunity. We hypothesised that eDNA acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) also in plants and that it contributes to self versus non-self discrimination. Treating plants and suspension-cultured cells of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) with fragmented self eDNA (obtained from other plants of the same species) induced early, immunity-related signalling responses such as H2O2 generation and MAPK activation, decreased the infection by a bacterial pathogen (Pseudomonas syringae) and increased an indirect defence to herbivores (extrafloral nectar secretion). By contrast, non-self DNA (obtained from lima bean, Phaseolus lunatus, and Acacia farnesiana) had significantly lower or no detectable effects. Only fragments below a size of 700 bp were active, and treating the eDNA preparation DNAse abolished its inducing effects, whereas treatment with RNAse or proteinase had no detectable effect. These findings indicate that DNA fragments, rather than small RNAs, single nucleotides or proteins, accounted for the observed effects. We suggest that eDNA functions a DAMP in plants and that plants discriminate self from non-self at a species-specific level. The immune systems of plants and mammals share multiple central elements, but further work will be required to understand the mechanisms and the selective benefits of an immunity response that is triggered by eDNA in a species-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Duran-Flores
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, CINVESTAV-Irapuato, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Martin Heil
- Departamento de Ingeniería Genética, CINVESTAV-Irapuato, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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Williams H, Campbell L, Crompton RA, Singh G, McHugh BJ, Davidson DJ, McBain AJ, Cruickshank SM, Hardman MJ. Microbial Host Interactions and Impaired Wound Healing in Mice and Humans: Defining a Role for BD14 and NOD2. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:2264-2274. [PMID: 29723492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wounds cause significant patient morbidity and mortality. A key factor in their etiology is microbial infection, yet skin host-microbiota interactions during wound repair remain poorly understood. Microbiome profiles of noninfected human chronic wounds are associated with subsequent healing outcome. Furthermore, poor clinical healing outcome was associated with increased local expression of the pattern recognition receptor NOD2. To investigate NOD2 function in the context of cutaneous healing, we treated mice with the NOD2 ligand muramyl dipeptide and analyzed wound repair parameters and expression of antimicrobial peptides. Muramyl dipeptide treatment of littermate controls significantly delayed wound repair associated with reduced re-epithelialization, heightened inflammation, and up-regulation of murine β-defensins 1, 3, and particularly 14. We postulated that although murine β-defensin 14 might affect local skin microbial communities, it may further affect other healing parameters. Indeed, exogenously administered murine β-defensin 14 directly delayed mouse primary keratinocyte scratch wound closure in vitro. To further explore the role of murine β-defensin 14 in wound repair, we used Defb14-/- mice and showed they had a global delay in healing in vivo, associated with alterations in wound microbiota. Taken together, these studies suggest a key role for NOD2-mediated regulation of local skin microbiota, which in turn affects chronic wound etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Williams
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Laura Campbell
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Rachel A Crompton
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Gurdeep Singh
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Brian J McHugh
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Donald J Davidson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew J McBain
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sheena M Cruickshank
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Matthew J Hardman
- Division of Infection, Immunity, and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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21
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Fruitwala S, El-Naccache DW, Chang TL. Multifaceted immune functions of human defensins and underlying mechanisms. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 88:163-172. [PMID: 29501617 PMCID: PMC6485945 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Defensins have been long recognized as natural antimicrobial peptides, but they also possess diverse and versatile immune functions. Defensins can both induce inflammation and suppress inflammatory responses by acting on specific cells through distinct mechanisms. Defensins can also modulate the immune response by forming a complex with cellular molecules including proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. The mechanisms of defensin-mediated immune modulation appear to be cell-type and context specific. Because the levels of human defensins are often altered in response to infection or disease states, suggesting their clinical relevance, this review summarizes the complex immune functions of human defensins and their underlying mechanisms of action, which have implications for the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saahil Fruitwala
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Darine W El-Naccache
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Theresa L Chang
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
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22
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van Boeckel SR, Davidson DJ, Norman JE, Stock SJ. Cell-free fetal DNA and spontaneous preterm birth. Reproduction 2017; 155:R137-R145. [PMID: 29269517 PMCID: PMC5812054 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation is known to play a key role in preterm and term parturition. Cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) is present in the maternal circulation and increases with gestational age and some pregnancy complications (e.g. preterm birth, preeclampsia). Microbial DNA and adult cell-free DNA can be pro-inflammatory through DNA-sensing mechanisms such as Toll-like receptor 9 and the Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway. However, the pro-inflammatory properties of cff-DNA, and the possible effects of this on pregnancy and parturition are unknown. Clinical studies have quantified cff-DNA levels in the maternal circulation in women who deliver preterm and women who deliver at term and show an association between preterm labor and higher cff-DNA levels in the 2nd, 3rd trimester and at onset of preterm birth symptoms. Together with potential pro-inflammatory properties of cff-DNA, this rise suggests a potential mechanistic role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous preterm birth. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking cff-DNA to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, obtained from preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R van Boeckel
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthUniversity of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Donald J Davidson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation ResearchUniversity of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jane E Norman
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthUniversity of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah J Stock
- Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health at the MRC Centre for Reproductive HealthUniversity of Edinburgh, QMRI, Edinburgh, UK
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