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Majewska J, Miernikiewicz P, Szymczak A, Kaźmierczak Z, Goszczyński TM, Owczarek B, Rybicka I, Ciekot J, Dąbrowska K. Evolution of the T4 phage virion is driven by selection pressure from non-bacterial factors. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0011523. [PMID: 37724862 PMCID: PMC10580926 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00115-23] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages colonize animal and human bodies, propagating on sensitive bacteria that are symbionts, commensals, or pathogens of animals and humans. T4-like phages are dependent on abundant symbionts such as Escherichia coli, commonly present in animal and human gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Bacteriophage T4 is one of the most complex viruses, and its intricate structure, particularly the capsid head protecting the phage genome, likely contributes substantially to the overall phage fitness in diverse environments. We investigated how individual head proteins-gp24, Hoc, and Soc-affect T4 phage survival under pressure from non-bacterial factors. We constructed a panel of T4 phage variants defective in these structural proteins: T4∆Soc, T4∆24byp24, T4∆Hoc∆Soc, T4∆Hoc∆24byp24, T4∆Soc∆24byp24, and T4∆Hoc∆Soc∆24byp24 (byp = bypass). These variants were investigated for their sensitivity to selected environmental conditions relevant to the microenvironment of the GI tract, including pH, temperature, and digestive enzymes. The simple and "primitive" structure of the phage capsid (∆24byp24) was significantly less stable at low pH and more sensitive to inactivation by digestive enzymes, and the simultaneous lack of gp24 and Soc resulted in a notable decrease in phage activity at 37°C. Gp24 was also found to be highly resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation. Thus, gp24, which was acquired relatively late in evolution, seems to play a key role in T4 withstanding environmental conditions, including those related to the animal/human GI tract, and Soc is a molecular glue that enhances this protective effect. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages are important components of animal and human microbiota, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, where they dominate the viral community and contribute to shaping microbial balance. However, interactions with bacterial hosts are not the only element of the equation in phage survival-phages inhabiting the GI tract are constantly exposed to increased temperature, pH fluctuations, or digestive enzymes, which raises the question of whether and how the complex structure of phage capsids contributes to their persistence in the specific microenvironment of human/animal bodies. Here we address this phage-centric perspective, identifying the role of individual head proteins in T4 phage survival in GI tract conditions. The selection pressure driving the evolution of T4-like phages could have come from the external environment that affects phage virions with increased temperature and variable pH; it is possible that in the local microenvironment along the GI tract, the phage benefits from stability-protecting proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Majewska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksander Szymczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz M. Goszczyński
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Izabela Rybicka
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ciekot
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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Fokine A, Islam MZ, Fang Q, Chen Z, Sun L, Rao VB. Structure and Function of Hoc-A Novel Environment Sensing Device Encoded by T4 and Other Bacteriophages. Viruses 2023; 15:1517. [PMID: 37515203 PMCID: PMC10385173 DOI: 10.3390/v15071517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage T4 is decorated with 155 180 Å-long fibers of the highly antigenic outer capsid protein (Hoc). In this study, we describe a near-atomic structural model of Hoc by combining cryo-electron microscopy and AlphaFold structure predictions. It consists of a conserved C-terminal capsid-binding domain attached to a string of three variable immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, an architecture well-preserved in hundreds of Hoc molecules found in phage genomes. Each T4-Hoc fiber attaches randomly to the center of gp23* hexameric capsomers in one of the six possible orientations, though at the vertex-proximal hexamers that deviate from 6-fold symmetry, Hoc binds in two preferred orientations related by 180° rotation. Remarkably, each Hoc fiber binds to all six subunits of the capsomer, though the interactions are greatest with three of the subunits, resulting in the off-centered attachment of the C-domain. Biochemical analyses suggest that the acidic Hoc fiber (pI, ~4-5) allows for the clustering of virions in acidic pH and dispersion in neutral/alkaline pH. Hoc appears to have evolved as a sensing device that allows the phage to navigate its movements through reversible clustering-dispersion transitions so that it reaches its destination, the host bacterium, and persists in various ecological niches such as the human/mammalian gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Mohammad Zahidul Islam
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Qianglin Fang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhenguo Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
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Zou G, He L, Rao J, Song Z, Du H, Li R, Wang W, Zhou Y, Liang L, Chen H, Li J. Improving the safety and efficacy of phage therapy from the perspective of phage-mammal interactions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad042. [PMID: 37442611 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad042] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy has re-emerged as a promising solution for combating antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections. Increasingly, studies have revealed that phages possess therapeutic potential beyond their antimicrobial properties, including regulating the gut microbiome and maintain intestinal homeostasis, as a novel nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery. However, the complexity and unpredictability of phage behavior during treatment pose a significant challenge in clinical practice. The intricate interactions established between phages, humans, and bacteria throughout their long coexistence in the natural ecosystem contribute to the complexity of phage behavior in therapy, raising concerns about their efficacy and safety as therapeutic agents. Revealing the mechanisms by which phages interact with the human body will provide a theoretical basis for increased application of promising phage therapy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of phage-mammal interactions, including signaling pathways, adaptive immunity responses, and phage-mediated anti-inflammatory responses. Then, from the perspective of phage-mammalian immune system interactions, we present the first systematic overview of the factors affecting phage therapy, such as the mode of administration, the physiological status of the patient, and the biological properties of the phage, to offer new insights into phage therapy for various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Zou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lijun He
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jing Rao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zhiyong Song
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hu Du
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Runze Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lu Liang
- School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Huanchun Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jinquan Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, College of Food Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Biomedicine and Health, Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China
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Nikulin N, Nikulina A, Zimin A, Aminov R. Phages for treatment of Escherichia coli infections. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 200:171-206. [PMID: 37739555 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Diseases due to infections by pathogenic Escherichia coli strains are on the rise and with the growing antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens, including this group. Thus, alternative therapeutic options are actively investigated. Among these alternatives is phage therapy. In the case of E. coli, the combination of the well understood biology of this species and its bacteriophages represents a good guiding example for the establishment of phage therapy principles against this and other pathogenic bacteria. In this chapter, the procedures toward the development of phage therapy against pathogenic E. coli with the use of T-even group of phages are discussed. These steps involve the isolation, purification, characterisation and large-scale production of these phages, with formulation of phage cocktails for in vitro and in vivo studies. The main emphasis is made on phage therapy of enteropathogenic E. coli O157:H, which is one of the prominent human pathogens but persists as a commensal bacterium in many food animals. The implementation of phage therapy against E. coli O157:H within the One Health framework in carrier animals and for treatment of meat, vegetables, fruits and other agricultural produce thus would allow controlling and interrupting the transmission routes of this pathogen to the human food chain and preventing human disease. Examples of successful control and elimination of E. coli O157:H are given, while the problems encountered in phage treatment of this pathogen are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Nikulin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Alexandra Nikulina
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Andrei Zimin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Rustam Aminov
- The School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
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5
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Rao VB, Fokine A, Fang Q, Shao Q. Bacteriophage T4 Head: Structure, Assembly, and Genome Packaging. Viruses 2023; 15:527. [PMID: 36851741 PMCID: PMC9958956 DOI: 10.3390/v15020527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophage (phage) T4 has served as an extraordinary model to elucidate biological structures and mechanisms. Recent discoveries on the T4 head (capsid) structure, portal vertex, and genome packaging add a significant body of new literature to phage biology. Head structures in unexpanded and expanded conformations show dramatic domain movements, structural remodeling, and a ~70% increase in inner volume while creating high-affinity binding sites for the outer decoration proteins Soc and Hoc. Small changes in intercapsomer interactions modulate angles between capsomer planes, leading to profound alterations in head length. The in situ cryo-EM structure of the symmetry-mismatched portal vertex shows the remarkable structural morphing of local regions of the portal protein, allowing similar interactions with the capsid protein in different structural environments. Conformational changes in these interactions trigger the structural remodeling of capsid protein subunits surrounding the portal vertex, which propagate as a wave of expansion throughout the capsid. A second symmetry mismatch is created when a pentameric packaging motor assembles at the outer "clip" domains of the dodecameric portal vertex. The single-molecule dynamics of the packaging machine suggests a continuous burst mechanism in which the motor subunits adjusted to the shape of the DNA fire ATP hydrolysis, generating speeds as high as 2000 bp/s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venigalla B. Rao
- Bacteriophage Medical Research Center, Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Andrei Fokine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Qianglin Fang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Qianqian Shao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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6
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Doublier S, Cirrincione S, Scardaci R, Botta C, Lamberti C, Di Giuseppe F, Angelucci S, Rantsiou K, Cocolin L, Pessione E. Putative probiotics decrease cell viability and enhance chemotherapy effectiveness in human cancer cells: role of butyrate and secreted proteins. Microbiol Res 2022; 260:127012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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7
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Shahin K, Zhang L, Mehraban MH, Collard JM, Hedayatkhah A, Mansoorianfar M, Soleimani-Delfan A, Wang R. Clinical and experimental bacteriophage studies: Recommendations for possible approaches for standing against SARS-CoV-2. Microb Pathog 2022; 164:105442. [PMID: 35151823 PMCID: PMC8830156 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In 2019, the world faced a serious health challenge, the rapid spreading of a life-threatening viral pneumonia, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a betacoronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of January 2022 WHO statistics shows more than 5.6 million death and about 350 million infection by SARS-CoV-2. One of the life threatening aspects of COVID-19 is secondary infections and reduced efficacy of antibiotics against them. Since the beginning of COVID-19 many researches have been done on identification, treatment, and vaccine development. Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) could offer novel approaches to detect, treat and control COVID-19. Phage therapy and in particular using phage cocktails can be used to control or eliminate the bacterial pathogen as an alternative or complementary therapeutic agent. At the same time, phage interaction with the host immune system can regulate the inflammatory response. In addition, phage display and engineered synthetic phages can be utilized to develop new vaccines and antibodies, stimulate the immune system, and elicit a rapid and well-appropriate defense response. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 new variants like delta and omicron has proved the urgent need for precise, efficient and novel approaches for vaccine development and virus detection techniques in which bacteriophages may be one of the plausible solutions. Therefore, phages with similar morphology and/or genetic content to that of coronaviruses can be used for ecological and epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 behavior and future generations of coronavirus, and in general new viral pathogens. This article is a comprehensive review/perspective of potential applications of bacteriophages in the fight against the present pandemic and the post-COVID era.
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8
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Formulation strategies for bacteriophages to target intracellular bacterial pathogens. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113864. [PMID: 34271022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages (Phages) are antibacterial viruses that are unaffected by antibiotic drug resistance. Many Phase I and Phase II phage therapy clinical trials have shown acceptable safety profiles. However, none of the completed trials could yield data supporting the promising observations noted in the experimental phage therapy. These trials have mainly focused on phage suspensions without enough attention paid to the stability of phage during processing, storage, and administration. This is important because in vivo studies have shown that the effectiveness of phage therapy greatly depends on the ratio of phage to bacterial concentrations (multiplicity of infection) at the infection site. Additionally, bacteria can evade phages through the development of phage-resistance and intracellular residence. This review focuses on the use of phage therapy against bacteria that survive within the intracellular niches. Recent research on phage behavior reveals that some phage can directly interact with, get internalized into, and get transcytosed across mammalian cells, prompting further research on the governing mechanisms of these interactions and the feasibility of harnessing therapeutic phage to target intracellular bacteria. Advances to improve the capability of phage attacking intracellular bacteria using formulation approaches such as encapsulating/conjugating phages into/with vector carriers via liposomes, polymeric particles, inorganic nanoparticles, and cell penetrating peptides, are summarized. While promising progress has been achieved, research in this area is still in its infancy and warrants further attention.
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9
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Kaźmierczak Z, Majewska J, Miernikiewicz P, Międzybrodzki R, Nowak S, Harhala M, Lecion D, Kęska W, Owczarek B, Ciekot J, Drab M, Kędzierski P, Mazurkiewicz-Kania M, Górski A, Dąbrowska K. Immune Response to Therapeutic Staphylococcal Bacteriophages in Mammals: Kinetics of Induction, Immunogenic Structural Proteins, Natural and Induced Antibodies. Front Immunol 2021; 12:639570. [PMID: 34194425 PMCID: PMC8236893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.639570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages are able to affect the human immune system. Phage-specific antibodies are considered as major factors shaping phage pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. So far, general knowledge of phage antigenicity nevertheless remains extremely limited. Here we present comparative studies of immunogenicity in two therapeutic bacteriophages, A3R and 676Z, active against Staphylococcus aureus, routinely applied in patients at the Phage Therapy Unit, Poland. Comparison of the overall ability of whole phages to induce specific antibodies in a murine model revealed typical kinetics of IgM and IgG induction by these two phages. In further studies we identified the location of four phage proteins in the virions, with the focus on the external capsid head (Mcp) or tail sheath (TmpH) or an unidentified precise location (ORF059 and ORF096), and we confirmed their role as structural proteins of these viruses. Next, we compared the immune response elicited by these proteins after phage administration in mice. Similar to that in T4 phage, Mcp was the major element of the capsid that induced specific antibodies. Studies of protein-specific sera revealed that antibodies specific to ORF096 were able to neutralize antibacterial activity of the phages. In humans (population level), none of the studied proteins plays a particular role in the induction of specific antibodies; thus none potentially affects in a particular way the effectiveness of A3R and 676Z. Also in patients subjected to phage therapy, we did not observe increased specific immune responses to the investigated proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Majewska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Nowak
- Laboratory of Microscopic Techniques, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Harhala
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Lecion
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Weronika Kęska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jarosław Ciekot
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Drab
- Unit of Nano-Structural Bio-Interactions, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Kędzierski
- Advanced Materials Engineering and Modelling Group, Faculty of Chemistry Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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10
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Abstract
Bacteriophages-viruses that infect bacteria-are abundant within our bodies, but their significance to human health is only beginning to be explored. Here, we synthesize what is currently known about our phageome and its interactions with the immune system. We first review how phages indirectly affect immunity via bacterial expression of phage-encoded proteins. We next review how phages directly influence innate immunity and bacterial clearance. Finally, we discuss adaptive immunity against phages and its implications for phage/bacterial interactions. In light of these data, we propose that our microbiome can be understood as an interconnected network of bacteria, bacteriophages, and human cells and that the stability of these tri-kingdom interactions may be important for maintaining our immunologic and metabolic health. Conversely, the disruption of this balance, through exposure to exogenous phages, microbial dysbiosis, or immune dysregulation, may contribute to disease. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 8 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medeea Popescu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA; .,Immunology Program, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Jonas D Van Belleghem
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA; .,These authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Arya Khosravi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA;
| | - Paul L Bollyky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA;
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11
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Kaźmierczak Z, Majewska J, Milczarek M, Owczarek B, Dąbrowska K. Circulation of Fluorescently Labelled Phage in a Murine Model. Viruses 2021; 13:297. [PMID: 33672895 PMCID: PMC7917791 DOI: 10.3390/v13020297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between bacteriophages and mammals strongly affect possible applications of bacteriophages. This has created a need for tools that facilitate studies of phage circulation and deposition in tissues. Here, we propose red fluorescent protein (RFP)-labelled E. coli lytic phages as a new tool for the investigation of phage interactions with cells and tissues. The interaction of RFP-labelled phages with living eukaryotic cells (macrophages) was visualized after 20 min of co-incubation. RFP-labeled phages were applied in a murine model of phage circulation in vivo. Phages administered by three different routes (intravenously, orally, rectally) were detected through the course of time. The intravenous route of administration was the most efficient for phage delivery to multiple body compartments: 20 min after administration, virions were detected in lymph nodes, lungs, and liver; 30 min after administration, they were detectable in muscles; and 1 h after administration, phages were detected in spleen and lymph nodes. Oral and rectal administration of RFP-labelled phages allowed for their detection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Kamieńskiego 73a, 51-154 Wroclaw, Poland
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.M.); (B.O.); (K.D.)
| | - Joanna Majewska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.M.); (B.O.); (K.D.)
| | - Magdalena Milczarek
- Laboratory of Experimental Anticancer Therapy, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.M.); (B.O.); (K.D.)
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.M.); (B.O.); (K.D.)
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12
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Green SI, Gu Liu C, Yu X, Gibson S, Salmen W, Rajan A, Carter HE, Clark JR, Song X, Ramig RF, Trautner BW, Kaplan HB, Maresso AW. Targeting of Mammalian Glycans Enhances Phage Predation in the Gastrointestinal Tract. mBio 2021; 12:e03474-20. [PMID: 33563833 PMCID: PMC7885116 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03474-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal mucosal surface consists of a eukaryotic epithelium, a prokaryotic microbiota, and a carbohydrate-rich interface that separates them. In the gastrointestinal tract, the interaction of bacteriophages (phages) and their prokaryotic hosts influences the health of the mammalian host, especially colonization with invasive pathobionts. Antibiotics may be used, but they also kill protective commensals. Here, we report a novel phage whose lytic cycle is enhanced in intestinal environments. The tail fiber gene, whose protein product binds human heparan sulfated proteoglycans and localizes the phage to the epithelial cell surface, positions it near its bacterial host, a type of locational targeting mechanism. This finding offers the prospect of developing mucosal targeting phage to selectively remove invasive pathobiont species from mucosal surfaces.IMPORTANCE Invasive pathobionts or microbes capable of causing disease can reside deep within the mucosal epithelium of our gastrointestinal tract. Targeted effective antibacterial therapies are needed to combat these disease-causing organisms, many of which may be multidrug resistant. Here, we isolated a lytic bacteriophage (phage) that can localize to the epithelial surface by binding heparan sulfated glycans, positioning it near its host, Escherichia coli This targeted therapy can be used to selectively remove invasive pathobionts from the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina I Green
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carmen Gu Liu
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xue Yu
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shelley Gibson
- Department of Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wilhem Salmen
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anubama Rajan
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hannah E Carter
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Justin R Clark
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xuezheng Song
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory Comprehensive Glycomics Core, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert F Ramig
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Barbara W Trautner
- Michael E. Debakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Heidi B Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony W Maresso
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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13
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Putra RD, Lyrawati D. Interactions between Bacteriophages and Eukaryotic Cells. SCIENTIFICA 2020; 2020:3589316. [PMID: 32582449 PMCID: PMC7301238 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3589316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
As the name implies, bacteriophage is a bacterium-specific virus. It infects and kills the bacterial host. Bacteriophages have gained attention as alternative antimicrobial entities in the science community in the western world since the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance among microbes. Although generally considered as prokaryote-specific viruses, recent studies indicate that bacteriophages can interact with eukaryotic organisms, including humans. In the current review, these interactions are divided into two categories, i.e., indirect and direct interactions, with the involvement of bacteriophages, bacteria, and eukaryotes. We discuss bacteriophage-related diseases, transcytosis of bacteriophages, bacteriophage interactions with cancer cells, collaboration of bacteriophages and eukaryotes against bacterial infections, and horizontal gene transfer between bacteriophages and eukaryotes. Such interactions are crucial for understanding and developing bacteriophages as the therapeutic agents and pharmaceutical delivery systems. With the advancement and combination of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches and clinical trials, bacteriophages definitely serve as useful repertoire for biologic target-based drug development to manage many complex diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Lyrawati
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang 65145, Indonesia
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14
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Dąbrowska K, Abedon ST. Pharmacologically Aware Phage Therapy: Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Obstacles to Phage Antibacterial Action in Animal and Human Bodies. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2019; 83:e00012-19. [PMID: 31666296 PMCID: PMC6822990 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00012-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of viruses infecting bacteria (bacteriophages or phages) to treat bacterial infections has been ongoing clinically for approximately 100 years. Despite that long history, the growing international crisis of resistance to standard antibiotics, abundant anecdotal evidence of efficacy, and one successful modern clinical trial of efficacy, this phage therapy is not yet a mainstream approach in medicine. One explanation for why phage therapy has not been subject to more widespread implementation is that phage therapy research, both preclinical and clinical, can be insufficiently pharmacologically aware. Consequently, here we consider the pharmacological obstacles to phage therapy effectiveness, with phages in phage therapy explicitly being considered to serve as drug equivalents. The study of pharmacology has traditionally been differentiated into pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects. We therefore separately consider the difficulties that phages as virions can have in traveling through body compartments toward reaching their target bacteria (pharmacokinetics) and the difficulties that phages can have in exerting antibacterial activity once they have reached those bacteria (pharmacodynamics). The latter difficulties, at least in part, are functions of phage host range and bacterial resistance to phages. Given the apparently low toxicity of phages and the minimal side effects of phage therapy as practiced, phage therapy should be successful so long as phages can reach the targeted bacteria in sufficiently high numbers, adsorb, and then kill those bacteria. Greater awareness of what obstacles to this success generally or specifically can exist, as documented in this review, should aid in the further development of phage therapy toward wider use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Stephen T Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Mansfield, Ohio, USA
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15
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Żaczek M, Górski A, Skaradzińska A, Łusiak-Szelachowska M, Weber-Dąbrowska B. Phage penetration of eukaryotic cells: practical implications. Future Virol 2019. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2019-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The inability to infect eukaryotic cells has been considered as the most undeniable feature of all bacterial viruses. Such specificity, limited only for bacterial hosts, raises questions about the paths and challenges phages should overcome when circulating through the human body. Recently, it has been shown that phages are able to continually penetrate human organs and tissues. Latest reports revealed that phages can cross eukaryotic cell barriers both para- and transcellularly and even reach the nucleus. Further, phages are capable of internalizing within cells through different endocytic mechanisms. Such phenomenon indicates that phages could shape human microbiome composition and affect all aspects of human health. Thus, herein, we summarize the current state of knowledge and describe this phenomenon with a particular emphasis on endocytic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Żaczek
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aneta Skaradzińska
- Department of Biotechnology & Food Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology & Food Science, Wrocław University of Environmental & Life Sciences, Chełmońskiego 37, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marzanna Łusiak-Szelachowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
- Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
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16
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Górski A, Międzybrodzki R, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Żaczek M, Borysowski J. Phage-specific diverse effects of bacterial viruses on the immune system. Future Microbiol 2019; 14:1171-1174. [PMID: 31535921 PMCID: PMC6802706 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowogrodzka 59, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maciej Żaczek
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences (HIIET PAS), R Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jan Borysowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowogrodzka 59, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland
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17
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Huh H, Wong S, St Jean J, Slavcev R. Bacteriophage interactions with mammalian tissue: Therapeutic applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 145:4-17. [PMID: 30659855 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The human body is a large reservoir for bacterial viruses known as bacteriophages (phages), which participate in dynamic interactions with their bacterial and human hosts that ultimately affect human health. The current growing interest in human resident phages is paralleled by new uses of phages, including the design of engineered phages for therapeutic applications. Despite the increasing number of clinical trials being conducted, the understanding of the interaction of phages and mammalian cells and tissues is still largely unknown. The presence of phages in compartments within the body previously considered purely sterile, suggests that phages possess a unique capability of bypassing anatomical and physiological barriers characterized by varying degrees of selectivity and permeability. This review will discuss the direct evidence of the accumulation of bacteriophages in various tissues, focusing on the unique capability of phages to traverse relatively impermeable barriers in mammals and its relevance to its current applications in therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haein Huh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Shirley Wong
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Jesse St Jean
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Roderick Slavcev
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10A Victoria St S, Kitchener N2G 1C5, Canada.
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18
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Ranjibar F, Habibi-Anbouhi M, Kazemi-Lomedasht F, Aghaee-Bakhtiyari SH, Alirahimi E, Behdani M. Cell-specific targeting by engineered M13 bacteriophage expressing VEGFR2 nanobody. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2018; 21:884-888. [PMID: 30524687 PMCID: PMC6272075 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2018.26191.6432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Filamentous bacteriophage M13 was genetically engineered to specifically target mammalian cells for gene delivery purpose. Materials and Methods A vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-specific nanobody was genetically fused to the capsid gene III of M13 bacteriophage (pHEN4/3VGR19). A mammalian expression construct containing Cop-green fluorescent protein (Cop-GFP), as a reporter gene, was amplified by PCR and then sub-cloned in the pHEN4/3VGR19 phagemid. The resulting construct was transfected into 293KDR cell. The recombinant phage was extracted and confirmed and then transduced into VEGFR2 expressing cell (293KDR). Results Seventy-two hr after transfection, green fluorescence was detected in 30% of the cells. About 1% of the cells which transduced by recombinant phages were able to express GFP. Conclusion It is hoped that the results from this study will help to find potential vectors to improve the efficiency of gene delivery. Taken together, we conclude that this newly-introduced vector can be used in cancer researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farideh Ranjibar
- Biotechnology Research Center, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Biotechnology Research Center, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hamid Aghaee-Bakhtiyari
- Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ehsan Alirahimi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Venom & Biotherapeutics Molecules Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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19
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Abstract
The human body is colonized by a diverse collective of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. The smallest entity of this microbial conglomerate are the bacterial viruses. Bacteriophages, or phages for short, exert significant selective pressure on their bacterial hosts, undoubtedly influencing the human microbiome and its impact on our health and well-being. Phages colonize all niches of the body, including the skin, oral cavity, lungs, gut, and urinary tract. As such our bodies are frequently and continuously exposed to diverse collections of phages. Despite the prevalence of phages throughout our bodies, the extent of their interactions with human cells, organs, and immune system is still largely unknown. Phages physically interact with our mucosal surfaces, are capable of bypassing epithelial cell layers, disseminate throughout the body and may manipulate our immune system. Here, I establish the novel concept of an "intra-body phageome," which encompasses the collection of phages residing within the classically "sterile" regions of the body. This review will take a phage-centric view of the microbiota, human body, and immune system with the ultimate goal of inspiring a greater appreciation for both the indirect and direct interactions between bacteriophages and their mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J Barr
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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20
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Górski A, Międzybrodzki R, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Bagińska N, Borysowski J. Perspectives of Phage-Eukaryotic Cell Interactions to Control Epstein-Barr Virus Infections. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:630. [PMID: 29666617 PMCID: PMC5891836 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, leading medical journals emphasized the importance of further studies on the potential application of bacterial viruses (phages) for the treatment of antibiotics-resistant infections outlining the present status of the therapy and perspectives for the future. Furthermore, a leading scientific journal pointed to the recent progress in research on phage interactions with eukaryotic cells (especially cells of the immune system) and potential implications of their results for our broader understanding of the role of phages – not only as “bacteria eaters” – but also as an important part of our body defense protecting against external and internal pathogenic invaders (as suggested previously). This illustrates how our understanding of the actual role and potential of phages is expanding and how worldwide interest in their use in medicine is growing. In this article we envision how this advancement of our knowledge about phages could be translated into the progress in combating herpesvirus infections especially those caused by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Phage Therapy Unit, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Natalia Bagińska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Jan Borysowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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21
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Basson AR, Lam M, Cominelli F. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Strategies for Therapeutic Gut Microbiota Modulation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and their Next-Generation Approaches. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2017; 46:689-729. [PMID: 29173517 PMCID: PMC5909826 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The human gut microbiome exerts a major impact on human health and disease, and therapeutic gut microbiota modulation is now a well-advocated strategy in the management of many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Scientific and clinical evidence in support of complementary and alternative medicine, in targeting intestinal dysbiosis among patients with IBD, or other disorders, has increased dramatically over the past years. Delivery of "artificial" stool replacements for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could provide an effective, safer alternative to that of human donor stool. Nevertheless, optimum timing of FMT administration in IBD remains unexplored, and future investigations are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail R Basson
- Digestive Health Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Minh Lam
- Digestive Health Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Fabio Cominelli
- Digestive Health Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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22
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Kłopot A, Zakrzewska A, Lecion D, Majewska JM, Harhala MA, Lahutta K, Kaźmierczak Z, Łaczmański Ł, Kłak M, Dąbrowska K. Real-Time qPCR as a Method for Detection of Antibody-Neutralized Phage Particles. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2170. [PMID: 29163448 PMCID: PMC5672142 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The most common method for phage quantitation is the plaque assay, which relies on phage ability to infect bacteria. However, non-infective phage particles may preserve other biological properties; specifically, they may enter interactions with the immune system of animals and humans. Here, we demonstrate real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection of bacteriophages as an alternative to the plaque assay. The closely related staphylococcal bacteriophages A3R and 676Z and the coliphage T4 were used as model phages. They were tested in vivo in mice, ex vivo in human sera, and on plastic surfaces designed for ELISAs. T4 phage was injected intravenously into pre-immunized mice. The phage was completely neutralized by specific antibodies within 5 h (0 pfu/ml of serum, as determined by the plaque assay), but it was still detected by qPCR in the amount of approximately 107 pfu/ml of serum. This demonstrates a substantial timelapse between "microbiological disappearance" and true clearance of phage particles from the circulation. In human sera ex vivo, qPCR was also able to detect neutralized phage particles that were not detected by the standard plaque assay. The investigated bacteriophages differed considerably in their ability to immobilize on plastic surfaces: this difference was greater than one order of magnitude, as shown by qPCR of phage recovered from plastic plates. The ELISA did not detect differences in phage binding to plates. Major limitations of qPCR are possible inhibitors of the PCR reaction or free phage DNA, which need to be considered in procedures of phage sample preparation for qPCR testing. We propose that phage pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies should not rely merely on detection of antibacterial activity of a phage. Real-time qPCR can be an alternative for phage detection, especially in immunological studies of bacteriophages. It can also be useful for studies of phage-based drug nanocarriers or biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kłopot
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Adriana Zakrzewska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Dorota Lecion
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna M Majewska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marek A Harhala
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Karolina Lahutta
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Łukasz Łaczmański
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marlena Kłak
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital, Wrocław, Poland
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23
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Lee KL, Murray AA, Le DHT, Sheen MR, Shukla S, Commandeur U, Fiering S, Steinmetz NF. Combination of Plant Virus Nanoparticle-Based in Situ Vaccination with Chemotherapy Potentiates Antitumor Response. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17. [PMID: 28650644 PMCID: PMC5623935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutics are gaining more traction in the armamentarium used to combat cancer. Specifically, in situ vaccination strategies have gained interest because of their ability to alter the tumor microenvironment to an antitumor state. Herein, we investigate whether flexuous plant virus-based nanoparticles formed by the potato virus X (PVX) can be used as an immunotherapeutic for in situ vaccine monotherapy. We further developed dual chemo-immunotherapeutics by incorporating doxorubicin (DOX) into PVX yielding a dual-functional nanoparticle (PVX-DOX) or by coadministration of the two therapeutic regimes, PVX immunotherapy and DOX chemotherapy (PVX+DOX). In the context of B16F10 melanoma, PVX was able to elicit delayed tumor progression when administered as an intratumoral in situ vaccine. Furthermore, the coadministration of DOX via PVX+DOX enhanced the response of the PVX monotherapy through increased survival, which was also represented in the enhanced antitumor cytokine/chemokine profile stimulated by PVX+DOX when compared to PVX or DOX alone. Importantly, coadministered PVX+DOX was better for in situ vaccination than PVX loaded with DOX (PVX-DOX). Whereas the nanomedicine field strives to design multifunctional nanoparticles that integrate several functions and therapeutic regimens into a single nanoparticle, our data suggest a paradigm shift; some therapeutics may need to be administered separately to synergize and achieve the most potent therapeutic outcome. Altogether, our studies show that development of plant viral nanoparticles for in situ vaccines for treatment is a possibility, and dual mechanistic therapeutics can increase efficacy. Nonetheless, combining immunotherapeutics with cytolytic chemotherapy requires detailed investigation to inform optimal integration of cytolytic and immunotherapies and maximize synergy and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin L. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Schools of Medicine and Engineering, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Abner A. Murray
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Duc H. T. Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Schools of Medicine and Engineering, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Mee Rie Sheen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Sourabh Shukla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Schools of Medicine and Engineering, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Ulrich Commandeur
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH-Aachen University, 52064 Aachen, Germany
| | - Steven Fiering
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, United States
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University Schools of Medicine and Engineering, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
- Corresponding Author:
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Phage-Phagocyte Interactions and Their Implications for Phage Application as Therapeutics. Viruses 2017; 9:v9060150. [PMID: 28613272 PMCID: PMC5489797 DOI: 10.3390/v9060150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Phagocytes are the main component of innate immunity. They remove pathogens and particles from organisms using their bactericidal tools in the form of both reactive oxygen species and degrading enzymes-contained in granules-that are potentially toxic proteins. Therefore, it is important to investigate the possible interactions between phages and immune cells and avoid any phage side effects on them. Recent progress in knowledge concerning the influence of phages on phagocytes is also important as such interactions may shape the immune response. In this review we have summarized the current knowledge on phage interactions with phagocytes described so far and their potential implications for phage therapy. The data suggesting that phage do not downregulate important phagocyte functions are especially relevant for the concept of phage therapy.
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Międzybrodzki R, Kłak M, Jończyk-Matysiak E, Bubak B, Wójcik A, Kaszowska M, Weber-Dąbrowska B, Łobocka M, Górski A. Means to Facilitate the Overcoming of Gastric Juice Barrier by a Therapeutic Staphylococcal Bacteriophage A5/80. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:467. [PMID: 28386250 PMCID: PMC5362586 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article we compare the efficacy of different pharmacological agents (ranitidine, and omeprazole) to support phage transit from stomach to distal portions of the gastrointestinal tract in rats. We show that a temporal modification of environment in the animal stomach may protect Twort-like therapeutic antistaphylococcal phage A5/80 (from bacteriophage collection of the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy PAS in Wroclaw, Poland) from the inactivation by gastric juice effectively enough to enable a significant fraction of orally administered A5/80 to pass to the intestine. Interestingly, we found that yogurt may be a relatively strong in enhancing phage transit. Given the immunomodulating activities of phages our data may suggest that phages and yogurt can act synergistically in mediating their probiotic activities and enhancing the effectiveness of oral phage therapy. We also demonstrate that orally applied phages of similar size, morphology, and sensitivity to acidic environment may differ in their translocation into the bloodstream. This was evident in mice in which a therapeutic staphylococcal phage A5/80 reached the blood upon oral administration combined with antacid agent whilst T4 phage was not detected even when applied in 103 times higher dose. Our findings also suggest that phage penetration from digestive tract to the blood may be species-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryszard Międzybrodzki
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWroclaw, Poland; Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWroclaw, Poland; Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of WarsawWarsaw, Poland
| | - Marlena Kłak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWroclaw, Poland; Research and Development Center, Regional Specialized HospitalWrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Bubak
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wójcik
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marta Kaszowska
- Laboratory of Microbial Immunochemistry and Vaccines, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Beata Weber-Dąbrowska
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Łobocka
- Autonomous Department of Microbial Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGWWarsaw, Poland; Department of Microbial Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of SciencesWarsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWroclaw, Poland; Phage Therapy Unit, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of SciencesWroclaw, Poland; Department of Clinical Immunology, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of WarsawWarsaw, Poland
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Barr JJ, Auro R, Sam-Soon N, Kassegne S, Peters G, Bonilla N, Hatay M, Mourtada S, Bailey B, Youle M, Felts B, Baljon A, Nulton J, Salamon P, Rohwer F. Subdiffusive motion of bacteriophage in mucosal surfaces increases the frequency of bacterial encounters. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:13675-80. [PMID: 26483471 PMCID: PMC4640763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1508355112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) defend mucosal surfaces against bacterial infections. However, their complex interactions with their bacterial hosts and with the mucus-covered epithelium remain mostly unexplored. Our previous work demonstrated that T4 phage with Hoc proteins exposed on their capsid adhered to mucin glycoproteins and protected mucus-producing tissue culture cells in vitro. On this basis, we proposed our bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) model of immunity. Here, to test this model, we developed a microfluidic device (chip) that emulates a mucosal surface experiencing constant fluid flow and mucin secretion dynamics. Using mucus-producing human cells and Escherichia coli in the chip, we observed similar accumulation and persistence of mucus-adherent T4 phage and nonadherent T4∆hoc phage in the mucus. Nevertheless, T4 phage reduced bacterial colonization of the epithelium >4,000-fold compared with T4∆hoc phage. This suggests that phage adherence to mucus increases encounters with bacterial hosts by some other mechanism. Phages are traditionally thought to be completely dependent on normal diffusion, driven by random Brownian motion, for host contact. We demonstrated that T4 phage particles displayed subdiffusive motion in mucus, whereas T4∆hoc particles displayed normal diffusion. Experiments and modeling indicate that subdiffusive motion increases phage-host encounters when bacterial concentration is low. By concentrating phages in an optimal mucus zone, subdiffusion increases their host encounters and antimicrobial action. Our revised BAM model proposes that the fundamental mechanism of mucosal immunity is subdiffusion resulting from adherence to mucus. These findings suggest intriguing possibilities for engineering phages to manipulate and personalize the mucosal microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy J Barr
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182;
| | - Rita Auro
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Nicholas Sam-Soon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Sam Kassegne
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Gregory Peters
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Natasha Bonilla
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Mark Hatay
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Sarah Mourtada
- Department of Mathematics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Barbara Bailey
- Department of Mathematics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | | | - Ben Felts
- Department of Mathematics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Arlette Baljon
- Department of Physics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Jim Nulton
- Department of Mathematics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Peter Salamon
- Department of Mathematics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
| | - Forest Rohwer
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182
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27
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Removal of endotoxins from bacteriophage preparations by extraction with organic solvents. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0122672. [PMID: 25811193 PMCID: PMC4374689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin, pyrogen) constitutes a very troubling contaminant of crude phage lysates produced in Gram-negative bacteria. Toxicity of LPS depends on the strong innate immunity response including the cytokines. Therefore, its removal is important for bacteriophage applications. In this paper, we present a procedure for extractive removal of endotoxin from bacteriophage preparations with water immiscible solvents (1-octanol or 1-butanol). During extraction most of the phage lytic activity is retained in the aqueous phase, while endotoxin accumulates in the organic solvent. The levels of endotoxin (expressed as endotoxin units, EU) in the aqueous bacteriophage-containing fraction determined by limulus amebocyte lysate or EndoLISA assay were exceptionally low. While the initial endotoxin levels in the crude phage lysates ranged between 103 and 105 EU/ml the average level after organic extraction remaining in the aqueous fraction was 5.3 EU/ml. These values when related to phage titers decreased from 103-105 EU/109 PFU (plaque forming units) down to an average of 2.8 EU/109 PFU. The purification procedure is scalable, efficient and applicable to all the bacteriophages tested: T4, HAP1 (E. coli) and F8 (P. aeruginosa).
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28
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Advances in phage therapy and novel applications of phages in biotechnology encourage interest in phage impact on human and animal immunity. Here we present comparative studies of immunogenic properties of T4 phage head surface proteins gp23*, gp24*, Hoc, and Soc, both as elements of the phage capsid and as isolated agents. Studies comprise evaluation of specific antibodies in the human population, analysis of the proteins' impact on the primary and secondary responses in mice, and the effect of specific antibodies on phage antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo in mice. In humans, natural antibodies specific to T4-like phages were abundant (81% of investigated sera). Among those, significantly elevated levels of IgG antibodies only against major head protein (gp23*) were found, which probably reflected cross-reactions of T4 with antibodies induced by other T4-like phages. Both IgM and IgG antibodies were induced mostly by gp23* and Hoc, while weak (gp24*) and very weak (Soc) reactivities of other head proteins were noticed. Thus, T4 head proteins that markedly contribute to immunological memory to the phage are highly antigenic outer capsid protein (Hoc) and major capsid protein (gp23*). Specific anti-gp23* and anti-Hoc antibodies substantially decreased T4 phage activity in vitro and to some extent in vivo. Cooperating with antibodies, the immune complement system also contributed to annihilating phages. IMPORTANCE Current descriptions of phage immunogenicity and its biological consequences are still vague and incomplete; thus, the central problem of this work is timely and may have strong practical implications. Here is presented the very first description of the contribution of bacteriophage proteins to immunological memory of the phage. Understanding of interactions between phages and mammalian immunology may help in biotechnological adaptations of phages for therapeutic requirements as well as for better appreciation of phage ecology and their role in the biosphere.
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Dąbrowska K, Kaźmierczak Z, Majewska J, Miernikiewicz P, Piotrowicz A, Wietrzyk J, Lecion D, Hodyra K, Nasulewicz-Goldeman A, Owczarek B, Górski A. Bacteriophages displaying anticancer peptides in combined antibacterial and anticancer treatment. Future Microbiol 2014; 9:861-9. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb.14.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Aims: Novel anticancer strategies have employed bacteriophages as drug carriers and display platforms for anticancer agents; however, bacteriophage-based platforms maintain their natural antibacterial activity. This study provides the assessment of combined anticancer (engineered) and antibacterial (natural) phage activity in therapies. Materials & methods: An in vivo BALB/c mouse model of 4T1 tumor growth accompanied by surgical wound infection was applied. The wounds were located in the areas of tumors. Bacteriophages (T4) were modified with anticancer Tyr–Ile–Gly–Ser–Arg (YIGSR) peptides by phage display and injected intraperitoneally. Results & conclusion: Tumor growth was decreased in mice treated with YIGSR-displaying phages. The acuteness of wounds, bacterial load and inflammatory markers in phages-treated mice were markedly decreased. Thus, engineered bacteriophages combine antibacterial and anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Majewska
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Piotrowicz
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna Wietrzyk
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Dorota Lecion
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Hodyra
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Nasulewicz-Goldeman
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Institute of Immunology & Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland
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30
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Kaźmierczak Z, Piotrowicz A, Owczarek B, Hodyra K, Miernikiewicz P, Lecion D, Harhala M, Górski A, Dąbrowska K. Molecular imaging of T4 phage in mammalian tissues and cells. BACTERIOPHAGE 2014; 4:e28364. [PMID: 24653943 DOI: 10.4161/bact.28364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Advances in phage therapy encourage scientific interest in interactions of phages with human and animal organisms. This has created a need for developing tools that facilitate studies of phage circulation and deposition in tissues and cells. Here we propose a new green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based method for T4 phage molecular imaging in living systems. The method employs decoration of a phage capsid with GFP fused to the N-terminus of Hoc protein by in vivo phage display. Fluorescent phages were positively assessed as regards their applicability for detection inside living mammalian cells (by phagocytosis) and tissues (filtering and retention by lymph nodes and spleen). Molecular imaging provides innovative techniques that have brought substantial progress in life sciences. We propose it as a useful tool for studies of phage biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Kaźmierczak
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Piotrowicz
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Hodyra
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Lecion
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Harhala
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Górski
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy; Polish Academy of Sciences; Wroclaw, Poland
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31
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Mills S, Shanahan F, Stanton C, Hill C, Coffey A, Ross RP. Movers and shakers: influence of bacteriophages in shaping the mammalian gut microbiota. Gut Microbes 2013; 4:4-16. [PMID: 23022738 PMCID: PMC3555884 DOI: 10.4161/gmic.22371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The human intestinal microbiota is one of the most densely populated ecosystems on Earth, containing up to 10 ( 13) bacteria/g and in some respects can be considered an organ itself given its role in human health. Bacteriophages (phages) are the most abundant replicating entities on the planet and thrive wherever their bacterial hosts exist. They undoubtedly influence the dominant microbial populations in many ecosystems including the human intestine. Within this setting, lysogeny appears to be the preferred life cycle, presumably due to nutrient limitations and lack of suitable hosts protected in biofilms, hence the predator/prey dynamic observed in many ecosystems is absent. On the other hand, free virulent phages in the gut are more common among sufferers of intestinal diseases and have been shown to increase with antibiotic usage. Many of these phages evolve from prophages of intestinal bacteria and emerge under conditions where their bacterial hosts encounter stress suggesting that prophages can significantly alter the microbial community composition. Based on these observations, we propose the "community shuffling" model which hypothesizes that prophage induction contributes to intestinal dysbiosis by altering the ratio of symbionts to pathobionts, enabling pathobiont niche reoccupation. The consequences of the increased phage load on the mammalian immune system are also addressed. While this is an area of intestinal biology which has received little attention, this review assembles evidence from the literature which supports the role of phages as one of the biological drivers behind the composition of the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Mills
- Teagasc Food Research Centre; Moorepark; Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
| | - Fergus Shanahan
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre; University College Cork; National University of Ireland; Cork, Ireland,Department of Medicine; University College Cork; National University of Ireland; Cork, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- Teagasc Food Research Centre; Moorepark; Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre; University College Cork; National University of Ireland; Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre; University College Cork; National University of Ireland; Cork, Ireland,Department of Microbiology; University College Cork; National University of Ireland; Cork, Ireland
| | - Aidan Coffey
- Department of Biological Sciences; Cork Institute of Technology; Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
| | - R. Paul Ross
- Teagasc Food Research Centre; Moorepark; Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre; University College Cork; National University of Ireland; Cork, Ireland,Correspondence to: R. Paul Ross,
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Abstract
Although the natural hosts for bacteriophages are bacteria, a growing body of data shows that phages can also interact with some populations of mammalian cells, especially with cells of the immune system. In general, these interactions include two main aspects. The first is the phage immunogenicity, that is, the capacity of phages to induce specific immune responses, in particular the generation of specific antibodies against phage antigens. The other aspect includes the immunomodulatory activity of phages, that is, the nonspecific effects of phages on different functions of major populations of immune cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses. These functions include, among others, phagocytosis and the respiratory burst of phagocytic cells, the production of cytokines, and the generation of antibodies against nonphage antigens. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the interactions between phages and cells of the immune system, along with their implications for phage therapy. These topics are presented based on the results of experimental studies and unique data on immunomodulatory effects found in patients with bacterial infections treated with phage preparations.
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33
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Miernikiewicz P, Owczarek B, Piotrowicz A, Boczkowska B, Rzewucka K, Figura G, Letarov A, Kulikov E, Kopciuch A, Świtała-Jeleń K, Oślizło A, Hodyra K, Gubernator J, Dąbrowska K. Recombinant expression and purification of T4 phage Hoc, Soc, gp23, gp24 proteins in native conformations with stability studies. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38902. [PMID: 22808021 PMCID: PMC3396610 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biological activity of bacteriophage particles is essential for rational design of bacteriophages with defined pharmacokinetic parameters and to identify the mechanisms of immunobiological activities demonstrated for some bacteriophages. This work requires highly purified preparations of the individual phage structural proteins, possessing native conformation that is essential for their reactivity, and free of incompatible biologically active substances such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study we describe expression in E. coli and purification of four proteins forming the surface of the bacteriophage T4 head: gp23, gp24, gphoc and gpsoc. We optimized protein expression using a set of chaperones for effective production of soluble proteins in their native conformations. The assistance of chaperones was critical for production of soluble gp23 (chaperone gp31 of T4 phage) and of gpsoc (chaperone TF of E. coli). Phage head proteins were purified in native conditions by affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography. Two-step LPS removal allowed immunological purity grade with the average endotoxin activity less than 1 unit per ml of protein preparation. The secondary structure and stability of the proteins were studied using circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry, which confirmed that highly purified proteins preserve their native conformations. In increasing concentration of a denaturant (guanidine hydrochloride), protein stability was proved to increase as follows: gpsoc, gp23, gphoc. The denaturation profile of gp24 protein showed independent domain unfolding with the most stable larger domain. The native purified recombinant phage proteins obtained in this work were shown to be suitable for immunological experiments in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Owczarek
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Piotrowicz
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Boczkowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kamila Rzewucka
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Figura
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Andrey Letarov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugene Kulikov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Agnieszka Kopciuch
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kinga Świtała-Jeleń
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Oślizło
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Hodyra
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Gubernator
- Department of Lipids and Liposomes, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
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34
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Abstract
Bacteriophage-based medical research provides the opportunity to develop targeted nanomedicines with heightened efficiency and safety profiles. Filamentous phages also can and have been formulated as targeted drug-delivery nanomedicines, and phage may also serve as promising alternatives/complements to antibiotics. Over the past decade the use of phage for both the prophylaxis and the treatment of bacterial infection, has gained special significance in view of a dramatic rise in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacterial strains. Two potential medical applications of phages are the treatment of bacterial infections and their use as immunizing agents in diagnosis and monitoring patients with immunodeficiencies. Recently, phages have been employed as gene-delivery vectors (phage nanomedicine), for nearly half a century as tools in genetic research, for about two decades as tools for the discovery of specific target-binding proteins and peptides, and for almost a decade as tools for vaccine development. As phage applications to human therapeutic development grow at an exponential rate, it will become essential to evaluate host immune responses to initial and repetitive challenges by therapeutic phage in order to develop phage therapies that offer suitable utility. This paper examines and discusses phage nanomedicine applications and the immunomodulatory effects of bacteriophage exposure and treatment modalities.
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35
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Oślizło A, Miernikiewicz P, Piotrowicz A, Owczarek B, Kopciuch A, Figura G, Dąbrowska K. Purification of phage display-modified bacteriophage T4 by affinity chromatography. BMC Biotechnol 2011; 11:59. [PMID: 21627821 PMCID: PMC3127757 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-11-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Affinity chromatography is one of the most efficient protein purification strategies. This technique comprises a one-step procedure with a purification level in the order of several thousand-fold, adaptable for various proteins, differentiated in their size, shape, charge, and other properties. The aim of this work was to verify the possibility of applying affinity chromatography in bacteriophage purification, with the perspective of therapeutic purposes. T4 is a large, icosahedral phage that may serve as an efficient display platform for foreign peptides or proteins. Here we propose a new method of T4 phage purification by affinity chromatography after its modification with affinity tags (GST and Histag) by in vivo phage display. As any permanent introduction of extraneous DNA into a phage genome is strongly unfavourable for medical purposes, integration of foreign motifs with the phage genome was not applied. The phage was propagated in bacteria expressing fusions of the phage protein Hoc with affinity tags from bacterial plasmids, independently from the phage expression system. RESULTS Elution profiles of phages modified with the specific affinity motifs (compared to non-specific phages) document their binding to the affinity resins and effective elution with standard competitive agents. Non-specific binding was also observed, but was 102-105 times weaker than the specific one. GST-modified bacteriophages were also effectively released from glutathione Sepharose by proteolytic cleavage. The possibility of proteolytic release was designed at the stage of expression vector construction. Decrease in LPS content in phage preparations was dependent on the washing intensity; intensive washing resulted in preparations of 11-40 EU/ml. CONCLUSIONS Affinity tags can be successfully incorporated into the T4 phage capsid by the in vivo phage display technique and they strongly elevate bacteriophage affinity to a specific resin. Affinity chromatography can be considered as a new phage purification method, appropriate for further investigations and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Oślizło
- Bacteriophage Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, R.Weigla 12, Wroclaw, Poland
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Budynek P, Dabrowska K, Skaradziński G, Górski A. Bacteriophages and cancer. Arch Microbiol 2010; 192:315-20. [PMID: 20232198 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-010-0559-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 02/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages can be used effectively to cure bacterial infections. They are known to be active against bacteria but inactive against eukaryotic cells. Nevertheless, novel observations suggest that phages are not neutral for higher organisms. They can affect physiological and immunological processes which may be crucial to their expected positive effects in therapies. Bacteriophages are a very differentiated group of viruses and at least some of them can influence cancer processes. Phages may also affect the immunological system. In general, they activate the immunological response, for example cytokine secretion. They can also switch the tumor microenvironment to one advantageous for anticancer treatment. On the other hand, bacteriophages are used as a platform for foreign peptides that may induce anticancer effects. As bacterial debris can interfere with bacteriophage activity, phage purification is significant for the final effect of a phage preparation. In this review, results of the influence of bacteriophages on cancer processes are presented which have implications for the perspective application of phage therapy in patients with cancer and the general understanding of the role of bacteriophages in the human organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Budynek
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Wroclaw, Poland.
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Kurzepa A, Dabrowska K, Switała-Jeleń K, Górski A. Molecular modification of T4 bacteriophage proteins and its potential application - review. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2009; 54:5-15. [PMID: 19330539 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-009-0002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2008] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophage T4 is a virus with well-known genetics, structure, and biology. Such techniques as X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction allowed describing its structure very precisely. The genome of this bacteriophage was completely sequenced, which opens the way for the use of many molecular techniques, such as site-specific mutagenesis, which was widely applied, e.g., in investigating the functions of some essential T4 proteins. The phage-display method, which is commonly applied in bacteriophage modifications, was successfully used to display antigens (PorA protein, VP2 protein of vvIBDV, and antigens of anthrax and HIV) on T4's capsid platform. As first studies showed, the phage-display system as well as site-specific mutagenesis may also be used to modify interactions between phage particles and mammalian cells or to obtain phages infecting species other than the host bacteria. These may be used, among others, in the constantly developing bacteriophage therapy. All manipulations of this popular bacteriophage may enable the development of vaccine technology, phage therapy, and other branches of biological and medical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kurzepa
- L. Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.
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Letarov A, Kulikov E. The bacteriophages in human- and animal body-associated microbial communities. J Appl Microbiol 2009; 107:1-13. [PMID: 19239553 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04143.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Felix d'Herelle first demonstrated, about 90 years ago, the presence of bacteriophages in human and animal body microbiota. Our comprehension of the impact of naturally occurring bacteriophages on symbiotic bacteria, and of their role in general homeostasis of macro-organism, nevertheless remains quite fragmentary. Analysis of data in various human- and animal body-associated microbial systems on phage occurrence, diversity, host specificity and dynamics, as well as host occurrence, specificity and dynamics, suggests that mechanisms which stabilize phage-bacteria coexistence are not identical for either different species or different body sites. Regulation by phage infection instead probably depends on specific physical, chemical and biological conditions, e.g. pH, nutrient densities, host prevalence, relation to mucosa and other surfaces and presence of phage inhibiting substances. In some animal species intestinal bacteriophages thus appear to exert significant selective pressure over at least some resident bacterial populations, resulting in phages playing important roles in the self-regulation of these microbial systems while at the same time contributing to maintenance of bacterial diversity (i.e. 'killing the winner'). Emerging data additionally suggest that bacteriophage particles could play roles in regulating the immune reactions of the macro-organism. Alternatively, for many systems links between phages and community characteristics have not been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Letarov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology RAS, Moscow, Russia.
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Kurzepa A, Dabrowska K, Skaradziński G, Górski A. Bacteriophage interactions with phagocytes and their potential significance in experimental therapy. Clin Exp Med 2009; 9:93-100. [PMID: 19184327 PMCID: PMC7088290 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-008-0027-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2008] [Accepted: 12/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Bacteriophages are among the most numerous creatures on earth and they are omnipresent. They are thus in constant natural contact with humans and animals. However, the clinical and technological use of bacteriophages has also become more frequent, which is why all aspects of phage–mammal interactions need to be explored. Bacteriophages are able to interact with mammalian phagocytes. They may inhibit the phagocytosis of bacteria, but they may also undergo phagocytosis themselves. The ability of bacteriophages to reduce reactive oxygen species production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of bacteria or their endotoxins was also confirmed. Studies show that the high immunogenicity of bacteriophages may also be employed in anti-tumor treatment. The present knowledge of phage interactions with cellular components of the mammalian immune system is sparse and insufficient, especially considering the increasing interest in the application of these viruses in human life. We believe that continuation of such research is indispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Kurzepa
- L. Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland.
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Dabrowska K, Skaradziński G, Jończyk P, Kurzepa A, Wietrzyk J, Owczarek B, Zaczek M, Switała-Jeleń K, Boratyński J, Poźniak G, Maciejewska M, Górski A. The effect of bacteriophages T4 and HAP1 on in vitro melanoma migration. BMC Microbiol 2009; 9:13. [PMID: 19154575 PMCID: PMC2639589 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-9-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2008] [Accepted: 01/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The antibacterial activity of bacteriophages has been described rather well. However, knowledge about the direct interactions of bacteriophages with mammalian organisms and their other, i.e. non-antibacterial, activities in mammalian systems is quite scarce. It must be emphasised that bacteriophages are natural parasites of bacteria, which in turn are parasites or symbionts of mammals (including humans). Bacteriophages are constantly present in mammalian bodies and the environment in great amounts. On the other hand, the perspective of the possible use of bacteriophage preparations for antibacterial therapies in cancer patients generates a substantial need to investigate the effects of phages on cancer processes. Results In these studies the migration of human and mouse melanoma on fibronectin was inhibited by purified T4 and HAP1 bacteriophage preparations. The migration of human melanoma was also inhibited by the HAP1 phage preparation on matrigel. No response of either melanoma cell line to lipopolysaccharide was observed. Therefore the effect of the phage preparations cannot be attributed to lipopolysaccharide. No differences in the effects of T4 and HAP1 on melanoma migration were observed. Conclusion We believe that these observations are of importance for any further attempts to use bacteriophage preparations in antibacterial treatment. The risk of antibiotic-resistant hospital infections strongly affects cancer patients and these results suggest the possibility of beneficial phage treatment. We also believe that they will contribute to the general understanding of bacteriophage biology, as bacteriophages, extremely ubiquitous entities, are in permanent contact with human organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Dabrowska
- Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
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