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Zhang MY, Li S, Wang CY, Zhang ZX, Han YL, Liu XQ, Cheng J, Zhou XY, Zhang YX. A novel antimicrobial peptide S24 combats serious wound infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024:dkae191. [PMID: 38863365 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are ranked as top-priority organisms by WHO. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising antimicrobial agents that are highly effective against serious bacterial infections. METHODS In our previous study, a series of α-helical AMPs were screened using a novel multiple-descriptor strategy. The current research suggested that S24 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against major pathogenic bacteria, and displayed minimal haemolysis, good serum stability and maintained salt resistance. RESULTS We found that S24 exerted an antimicrobial effect by destroying outer membrane permeability and producing a strong binding effect on bacterial genomic DNA that inhibits genomic DNA migration. Furthermore, S24 exerted a strong ability to promote healing in wound infected by P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and mixed strains in a mouse model. CONCLUSIONS Overall, S24 showed good stability under physiological conditions and excellent antimicrobial activity, suggesting it may be a potential candidate for the development of serious bacterial infection treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yue Zhang
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Shuang Li
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Cai-Yun Wang
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yu-Ling Han
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xin-Qi Liu
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Juan Cheng
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xun-Yong Zhou
- Weihuakang (Shenzhen) Biotech. Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518001, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
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2
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Carpenter AM, van Hoek ML. Development of a defibrinated human blood hemolysis assay for rapid testing of hemolytic activity compared to computational prediction. J Immunol Methods 2024; 529:113670. [PMID: 38604530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2024.113670] [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: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Cytotoxicity studies determining hemolytic properties of antimicrobial peptides or other drugs are an important step in the development of novel therapeutics for clinical use. Hemolysis is an affordable, accessible, and rapid method for initial assessment of cellular toxicity for all drugs under development. However, variability in species of red blood cells and protocols used may result in significant differences in results. AMPs generally possess higher selectivity for bacterial cells but can have toxicity against host cells at high concentrations. Knowing the hemolytic activity of the peptides we are developing contributes to our understanding of their potential toxicity. Computational approaches for predicting hemolytic activity of AMPs exist and were tested head-to-head with our experimental results. RESULTS Starting with an observation of high hemolytic activity of LL-37 peptide against human red blood cells that were collected in EDTA, we explored alternative approaches to develop a more robust, accurate and simple hemolysis assay using defibrinated human blood. We found significant differences between the sensitivity of defibrinated red blood cells and EDTA treated red blood cells. SIGNIFICANCE Accurately determining the hemolytic activity using human red blood cells will allow for a more robust calculation of the therapeutic index of our potential antimicrobial compounds, a critical measure in their pre-clinical development. CONCLUSION We introduce a standardized, more accurate protocol for assessing hemolytic activity using defibrinated human red blood cells. This approach, facilitated by the increased commercial availability of de-identified human blood and defibrination methods, offers a robust tool for evaluating toxicity of emerging drug compounds, especially AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Carpenter
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, United States of America
| | - Monique L van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, United States of America; Center for Infectious Disease Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, United States of America.
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3
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Jing R, Zhang L, Li R, Yang Z, Song J, Wang Q, Cao N, Han G, Yin H. Milk-derived extracellular vesicles functionalized with anti-tumour necrosis factor-α nanobody and anti-microbial peptide alleviate ulcerative colitis in mice. J Extracell Vesicles 2024; 13:e12462. [PMID: 38840457 PMCID: PMC11154809 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) manifests clinically with chronic intestinal inflammation and microflora dysbiosis. Although biologics can effectively control inflammation, efficient delivery to the colon and colon epithelial cells remains challenging. Milk-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) show promise as an oral delivery tool, however, the ability to load biologics into EV presents challenges to therapeutic applications. Here, we demonstrate that fusing cell-penetrating peptide (TAT) to green fluorescent protein (GFP) enabled biologics loading into EV and protected against degradation in the gastrointestinal environment in vitro and in vivo after oral delivery. Oral administration of EV loaded with anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) nanobody (VHHm3F) (EVVHH) via TAT significantly reduced tissue TNF-α levels and alleviated pathologies in mice with acute UC, compared to VHH alone. In mice with chronic UC, simultaneously introducing VHH and an antimicrobial peptide LL37 into EV (EVLV), then administering orally improved intestinal barrier, inflammation and microbiota balance, resulted in relief of UC-induced depression and anxiety. Collectively, we demonstrated that oral delivery of EVLV effectively alleviated UC in mice and TAT efficiently loaded biologics into EV to confer protection from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. This therapeutic strategy is promising for UC and is a simple and generalizable approach towards drug-loaded orally-administrable EV treatment for other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renwei Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Leijie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Ruibin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Zhongqiu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Jun Song
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Nan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Gang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - HaiFang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology & The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education) & School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Medical TechnologyTianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
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4
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Liang Q, Liu Z, Liang Z, Zhu C, Li D, Kong Q, Mou H. Development strategies and application of antimicrobial peptides as future alternatives to in-feed antibiotics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172150. [PMID: 38580107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The use of in-feed antibiotics has been widely restricted due to the significant environmental pollution and food safety concerns they have caused. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted widespread attention as potential future alternatives to in-feed antibiotics owing to their demonstrated antimicrobial activity and environment friendly characteristics. However, the challenges of weak bioactivity, immature stability, and low production yields of natural AMPs impede practical application in the feed industry. To address these problems, efforts have been made to develop strategies for approaching the AMPs with enhanced properties. Herein, we summarize approaches to improving the properties of AMPs as potential alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, mainly including optimization of structural parameters, sequence modification, selection of microbial hosts, fusion expression, and industrially fermentation control. Additionally, the potential for application of AMPs in animal husbandry is discussed. This comprehensive review lays a strong theoretical foundation for the development of in-feed AMPs to achieve the public health globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingping Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Zhemin Liu
- Fundamental Science R&D Center of Vazyme Biotech Co. Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Ziyu Liang
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Changliang Zhu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Dongyu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Qing Kong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Haijin Mou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China.
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Xi L, Du J, Xue W, Shao K, Jiang X, Peng W, Li W, Huang S. Cathelicidin LL-37 promotes wound healing in diabetic mice by regulating TFEB-dependent autophagy. Peptides 2024; 175:171183. [PMID: 38423213 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Diabetic patients often experience impaired wound healing. Human cathelicidin LL-37 possesses various biological functions, such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and pro-wound healing activities. Autophagy has important effects on skin wound healing. However, little is known about whether LL-37 accelerates diabetic wound healing by regulating autophagy. In the study, we aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in LL-37-induced wound healing and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved. A full-thickness wound closure model was established in diabetic mice to evaluate the effects of LL-37 and an autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) on wound healing. The roles of LL-37 and 3-MA in regulating keratinocyte migration were assessed using transwell migration and wound healing assays. The activation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) was measured using western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) assays of its nuclear translocation. The results showed that LL-37 treatment improved wound healing in diabetic mice, whereas these effects were reversed by 3-MA. In vitro, 3-MA decreased the effects of LL-37 on promoting HaCat keratinocyte migration in the presence of high glucose (HG). Mechanistically, LL-37 promoted TFEB activation and resulted in subsequent activation of autophagy, as evidenced by increased nuclear translocation of TFEB and increased expression of ATG5, ATG7, and beclin 1 (BECN1), whereas these changes were blocked by TFEB knockdown. As expected, TFEB knockdown damaged the effects of LL-37 on promoting keratinocyte migration. Collectively, these results suggest that LL-37 accelerates wound healing in diabetic mice by activating TFEB-dependent autophagy, providing new insights into the mechanism by which LL-37 promotes diabetic wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuqing Xi
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Xue
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kan Shao
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenfang Peng
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyi Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shan Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Lebedev M, Benjamin AB, Kumar S, Molchanova N, Lin JS, Koster KJ, Leibowitz JL, Barron AE, Cirillo JD. Antiviral Effect of Antimicrobial Peptoid TM9 and Murine Model of Respiratory Coronavirus Infection. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:464. [PMID: 38675125 PMCID: PMC11054490 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040464] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
New antiviral agents are essential to improving treatment and control of SARS-CoV-2 infections that can lead to the disease COVID-19. Antimicrobial peptoids are sequence-specific oligo-N-substituted glycine peptidomimetics that emulate the structure and function of natural antimicrobial peptides but are resistant to proteases. We demonstrate antiviral activity of a new peptoid (TM9) against the coronavirus, murine hepatitis virus (MHV), as a closely related model for the structure and antiviral susceptibility profile of SARS-CoV-2. This peptoid mimics the human cathelicidin LL-37, which has also been shown to have antimicrobial and antiviral activity. In this study, TM9 was effective against three murine coronavirus strains, demonstrating that the therapeutic window is large enough to allow the use of TM9 for treatment. All three isolates of MHV generated infection in mice after 15 min of exposure by aerosol using the Madison aerosol chamber, and all three viral strains could be isolated from the lungs throughout the 5-day observation period post-infection, with the peak titers on day 2. MHV-A59 and MHV-A59-GFP were also isolated from the liver, heart, spleen, olfactory bulbs, and brain. These data demonstrate that MHV serves as a valuable natural murine model of coronavirus pathogenesis in multiple organs, including the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Lebedev
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (M.L.); (A.B.B.); (S.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.L.L.)
| | - Aaron B. Benjamin
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (M.L.); (A.B.B.); (S.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.L.L.)
| | - Sathish Kumar
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (M.L.); (A.B.B.); (S.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.L.L.)
| | - Natalia Molchanova
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.L.); (A.E.B.)
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.L.); (A.E.B.)
| | - Kent J. Koster
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (M.L.); (A.B.B.); (S.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.L.L.)
| | - Julian L. Leibowitz
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (M.L.); (A.B.B.); (S.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.L.L.)
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (N.M.); (J.S.L.); (A.E.B.)
| | - Jeffrey D. Cirillo
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; (M.L.); (A.B.B.); (S.K.); (K.J.K.); (J.L.L.)
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7
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Gasanov V, Vorotelyak E, Vasiliev A. Expression of the Antimicrobial Peptide SE-33-A2P, a Modified Analog of Cathelicidin, and an Analysis of Its Properties. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:190. [PMID: 38391576 PMCID: PMC10886013 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020190] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we developed a method for the expression of the antimicrobial peptide SE-33-A2P in E. coli bacterial cells. The SE-33-A2P peptide consists of A2P and SE-33 peptides and is a retro analog of cathelicidin possessing antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the A2P peptide is a self-cleaving peptide. For an efficient expression of the SE-33-A2P peptide, a gene encoding several repetitive sequences of the SE-33 peptide separated by A2P sequences was created. The gene was cloned into a plasmid, with which E. coli cells were transformed. An induction of the product expression was carried out by IPTG after the cell culture gained high density. The inducible expression product, due to the properties of the A2P peptide, was cleaved in the cell into SE-33-A2P peptides. As the next step, the SE-33-A2P peptide was purified using filtration and chromatography. Its activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, was proved. The developed approach for obtaining a prokaryotic system for the expression of a highly active antimicrobial peptide expands the opportunities for producing antimicrobial peptides via industrial methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vagif Gasanov
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, N.K. Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str. 26, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Vorotelyak
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, N.K. Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str. 26, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Vasiliev
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, N.K. Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Str. 26, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Ragonis-Bachar P, Axel G, Blau S, Ben-Tal N, Kolodny R, Landau M. What can AlphaFold do for antimicrobial amyloids? Proteins 2024; 92:265-281. [PMID: 37855235 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Amyloids, protein, and peptide assemblies in various organisms are crucial in physiological and pathological processes. Their intricate structures, however, present significant challenges, limiting our understanding of their functions, regulatory mechanisms, and potential applications in biomedicine and technology. This study evaluated the AlphaFold2 ColabFold method's structure predictions for antimicrobial amyloids, using eight antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including those with experimentally determined structures and AMPs known for their distinct amyloidogenic morphological features. Additionally, two well-known human amyloids, amyloid-β and islet amyloid polypeptide, were included in the analysis due to their disease relevance, short sequences, and antimicrobial properties. Amyloids typically exhibit tightly mated β-strand sheets forming a cross-β configuration. However, certain amphipathic α-helical subunits can also form amyloid fibrils adopting a cross-α structure. Some AMPs in the study exhibited a combination of cross-α and cross-β amyloid fibrils, adding complexity to structure prediction. The results showed that the AlphaFold2 ColabFold models favored α-helical structures in the tested amyloids, successfully predicting the presence of α-helical mated sheets and a hydrophobic core resembling the cross-α configuration. This implies that the AI-based algorithms prefer assemblies of the monomeric state, which was frequently predicted as helical, or capture an α-helical membrane-active form of toxic peptides, which is triggered upon interaction with lipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Axel
- George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shahar Blau
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nir Ben-Tal
- George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rachel Kolodny
- Department of Computer Science, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Meytal Landau
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- CSSB Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg, Germany
- The Center for Experimental Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg, Germany
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9
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Winter J, Jepsen S. Role of innate host defense proteins in oral cancerogenesis. Periodontol 2000 2024. [PMID: 38265172 DOI: 10.1111/prd.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
It is nowadays well accepted that chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and progression. Under this aspect, the oral cavity is predestined to examine this connection because periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease and oral squamous cell carcinomas are the most common oral malignant lesions. In this review, we describe how particular molecules of the human innate host defense system may participate as molecular links between these two important chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Specific focus is directed toward antimicrobial polypeptides, such as the cathelicidin LL-37 and human defensins, as well as S100 proteins and alarmins. We report in which way these peptides and proteins are able to initiate and support oral tumorigenesis, showing direct mechanisms by binding to growth-stimulating cell surface receptors and/or indirect effects, for example, inducing tumor-promoting genes. Finally, bacterial challenges with impact on oral cancerogenesis are briefly addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Winter
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Søren Jepsen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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10
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Aguilera-Puga MDC, Cancelarich NL, Marani MM, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Plisson F. Accelerating the Discovery and Design of Antimicrobial Peptides with Artificial Intelligence. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2714:329-352. [PMID: 37676607 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3441-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptides modulate many processes of human physiology targeting ion channels, protein receptors, or enzymes. They represent valuable starting points for the development of new biologics against communicable and non-communicable disorders. However, turning native peptide ligands into druggable materials requires high selectivity and efficacy, predictable metabolism, and good safety profiles. Machine learning models have gradually emerged as cost-effective and time-saving solutions to predict and generate new proteins with optimal properties. In this chapter, we will discuss the evolution and applications of predictive modeling and generative modeling to discover and design safe and effective antimicrobial peptides. We will also present their current limitations and suggest future research directions, applicable to peptide drug design campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana D C Aguilera-Puga
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
- CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Natalia L Cancelarich
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Mariela M Marani
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Fabien Plisson
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV-IPN), Unidad de Genómica Avanzada, Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad (Langebio), Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
- CINVESTAV-IPN, Unidad Irapuato, Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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11
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van Hoek ML, Alsaab FM, Carpenter AM. GATR-3, a Peptide That Eradicates Preformed Biofilms of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 13:39. [PMID: 38247598 PMCID: PMC10812447 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium that causes hospital-acquired and opportunistic infections, resulting in pneumonia, sepsis, and severe wound infections that can be difficult to treat due to antimicrobial resistance and the formation of biofilms. There is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobials to tackle the rapid increase in antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent an additional class of potential agents with direct antimicrobial and/or host-defense activating activities. In this study, we present GATR-3, a synthetic, designed AMP that was modified from a cryptic peptide discovered in American alligator, as our lead peptide to target multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and antibiofilm assays were performed to assess GATR-3 against a panel of 8 MDR A. baumannii strains, including AB5075 and some clinical strains. The GATR-3 mechanism of action was determined to be via loss of membrane integrity as measured by DiSC3(5) and ethidium bromide assays. GATR-3 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against all tested multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains with rapid killing. Biofilms are difficult to treat and eradicate. Excitingly, GATR-3 inhibited biofilm formation and, more importantly, eradicated preformed biofilms of MDR A. baumannii AB5075, as evidenced by MBEC assays and scanning electron micrographs. GATR3 did not induce resistance in MDR A. baumannii, unlike colistin. Additionally, the toxicity of GATR-3 was evaluated using human red blood cells, HepG2 cells, and waxworms using hemolysis and MTT assays. GATR-3 demonstrated little to no cytotoxicity against HepG2 and red blood cells, even at 100 μg/mL. GATR-3 injection showed little toxicity in the waxworm model, resulting in a 90% survival rate. The therapeutic index of GATR-3 was estimated (based on the HC50/MIC against human RBCs) to be 1250. Overall, GATR-3 is a promising candidate to advance to preclinical testing to potentially treat MDR A. baumannii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique L. van Hoek
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Fahad M. Alsaab
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa 36428, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashley M. Carpenter
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
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12
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Zhang W, An Z, Bai Y, Zhou Y, Chen F, Wang KJ. A novel antimicrobial peptide Scyreptin 1-30 from Scylla paramamosain exhibiting potential therapy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa early infection in a mouse burn wound model. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 218:115917. [PMID: 37952897 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115917] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitutes a significant global threat to human health. In recent years, there has been a concerning surge in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, highlighting the pressing need to urgently explore novel and effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a focal point of research, capturing significant attention as promising antimicrobial agents. In this study, we have identified a novel cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) named Scyreptin1-30, derived from the marine invertebrate Scylla paramamosain. The results showed that Scyreptin1-30 exhibits a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, demonstrating significant potency against both bacteria and fungi, and even against the clinically isolated multidrug-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, Scyreptin1-30 exhibited rapid bactericidal kinetic. The results of antibacterial mechanism showed that Scyreptin1-30 destroyed the integrity of bacterial membranes, leading to bacterial death and exhibited potent anti-biofilm activity against P. aeruginosa. The activity of Scyreptin1-30 against bacteria had a favorable thermal stability, displayed a certain ion tolerance, and showed no discernible cytotoxicity when assessed against both the mammalian cell line HEK293T and the fish cell lines ZF4. In an In vivo study, Scyreptin1-30 exhibited a remarkably reduction in the bacterial load caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa at the site of infection, and promoted wound healing in a mouse model of burn infection. This study indicated that Scyreptin1-30 holds promise as an effective antibacterial agent, potentially serving as a topical skin treatment against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, including those caused by P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhe An
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yuqi Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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13
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Hernández-Arvizu EE, Silis-Moreno TM, García-Arredondo JA, Rodríguez-Torres A, Cervantes-Chávez JA, Mosqueda J. Aquiluscidin, a Cathelicidin from Crotalus aquilus, and the Vcn-23 Derivative Peptide, Have Anti-Microbial Activity against Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2778. [PMID: 38004789 PMCID: PMC10673557 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112778] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-microbial peptides play a vital role in the defense mechanisms of various organisms performing functions that range from the elimination of microorganisms, through diverse mechanisms, to the modulation of the immune response, providing protection to the host. Among these peptides, cathelicidins, a well-studied family of anti-microbial peptides, are found in various animal species, including reptiles. Due to the rise in anti-microbial resistance, these compounds have been suggested as potential candidates for developing new drugs. In this study, we identified and characterized a cathelicidin-like peptide called Aquiluscidin (Aq-CATH) from transcripts obtained from the skin and oral mucosa of the Querétaro's dark rattlesnake, Crotalus aquilus. The cDNA was cloned, sequenced, and yielded a 566-base-pair sequence. Using bioinformatics, we predicted that the peptide precursor contains a signal peptide, a 101-amino-acid conserved cathelin domain, an anionic region, and a 34-amino-acid mature peptide in the C-terminal region. Aq-CATH and a derived 23-amino-acid peptide (Vcn-23) were synthesized, and their anti-microbial activity was evaluated against various species of bacteria in in vitro assays. The minimal inhibitory concentrations against bacteria ranged from 2 to 8 μg/mL for both peptides. Furthermore, at concentrations of up to 50 μM, they exhibited no significant hemolytic activity (<2.3% and <1.2% for Aquiluscidin and Vcn-23, respectively) against rat erythrocytes and displayed no significant cytotoxic activity at low concentrations (>65% cell viability at 25 µM). Finally, this study represents the first identification of an antimicrobial peptide in Crotalus aquilus, which belongs to the cathelicidin family and exhibits the characteristic features of these peptides. Both Aq-CATH and its derived molecule, Vcn-23, displayed remarkable inhibitory activity against all tested bacteria, highlighting their potential as promising candidates for further antimicrobial research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.)
- Ph.D. Program in Natural Sciences, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Teresa Monserrat Silis-Moreno
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.)
| | - José Alejandro García-Arredondo
- Departamento de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario S/N, Queretaro 76010, Mexico;
| | - Angelina Rodríguez-Torres
- Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (A.R.-T.); (J.A.C.-C.)
- Cuerpo Academico Salud Animal y Microbiología Ambiental, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | | | - Juan Mosqueda
- Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico; (E.E.H.-A.)
- Cuerpo Academico Salud Animal y Microbiología Ambiental, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
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Bhatt T, Dam B, Khedkar SU, Lall S, Pandey S, Kataria S, Ajnabi J, Gulzar SEJ, Dias PM, Waskar M, Raut J, Sundaramurthy V, Vemula PK, Ghatlia N, Majumdar A, Jamora C. Niacinamide enhances cathelicidin mediated SARS-CoV-2 membrane disruption. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1255478. [PMID: 38022563 PMCID: PMC10663372 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1255478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The continual emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants threatens to compromise the effectiveness of worldwide vaccination programs, and highlights the need for complementary strategies for a sustainable containment plan. An effective approach is to mobilize the body's own antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection and propagation. We have found that human cathelicidin (LL37), an AMP found at epithelial barriers as well as in various bodily fluids, has the capacity to neutralise multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2. Biophysical and computational studies indicate that LL37's mechanism of action is through the disruption of the viral membrane. This antiviral activity of LL37 is enhanced by the hydrotropic action of niacinamide, which may increase the bioavailability of the AMP. Interestingly, we observed an inverse correlation between LL37 levels and disease severity of COVID-19 positive patients, suggesting enhancement of AMP response as a potential therapeutic avenue to mitigate disease severity. The combination of niacinamide and LL37 is a potent antiviral formulation that targets viral membranes of various variants and can be an effective strategy to overcome vaccine escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanay Bhatt
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Binita Dam
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Sneha Uday Khedkar
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sahil Lall
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Subhashini Pandey
- Integrative Chemical Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sunny Kataria
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Johan Ajnabi
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Praveen Kumar Vemula
- Integrative Chemical Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Colin Jamora
- IFOM-inStem Joint Research Laboratory, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Homeostasis, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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15
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Kalimuthu S, Pudipeddi A, Braś G, Tanner JA, Rapala-Kozik M, Leung YY, Neelakantan P. A heptadeca amino acid peptide subunit of cathelicidin LL-37 has previously unreported antifungal activity. APMIS 2023; 131:584-600. [PMID: 37150907 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Yeasts such as Candida albicans, albeit being ubiquitous members of the skin, oral and vaginal microbiome, can cause superficial to life-threatening infections. Human cathelicidin LL-37-based peptides have antibacterial activity and yet, their antifungal activity remains to be thoroughly characterized. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the activity of LL-37-based peptides against C. albicans. LL-37 and its derivatives were tested for their ability to kill C. albicans planktonic cells in the presence of various biological matrices (serum, plasma, saliva and urine), that have been reported to inactivate peptides. The antibiofilm activity, resistance development and biocompatibility were investigated for the lead peptide. GK-17, a 17 amino acid peptide, showed remarkable stability to fungal aspartyl proteases and rapidly killed planktonic C. albicans despite the presence of biological matrices. GK-17 also inhibited adhesion to biotic and abiotic substrates, inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated preformed biofilms in the presence of biological matrices. Compared to nystatin, GK-17 had a lower propensity to allow for resistance development by C. albicans. The peptide showed concentration-dependent biocompatibility to red blood cells, with only 30% hemolysis even at 4× the fungicidal concentration. Taken together, GK-17 is a novel antifungal peptide with promising effects against C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanthini Kalimuthu
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Akhila Pudipeddi
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Grażyna Braś
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Julian A Tanner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Maria Rapala-Kozik
- Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Bioanalytics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Yiu Yan Leung
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong SAR
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16
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Yang S, Duncan GA. Synthetic mucus biomaterials for antimicrobial peptide delivery. J Biomed Mater Res A 2023; 111:1616-1626. [PMID: 37199137 PMCID: PMC10524183 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections, their therapeutic efficacy is limited due to the rapid degradation and low bioavailability of AMPs. To address this, we have developed and characterized a synthetic mucus (SM) biomaterial capable of delivering LL37 AMPs and enhancing their therapeutic effect. LL37 is an AMP that exhibits a wide range of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. LL37 loaded SM hydrogels demonstrated controlled release with 70%-95% of loaded LL37 over 8 h due to charge-mediated interactions between mucins and LL37 AMPs. Compared to treatment with LL37 alone where antimicrobial activity was reduced after 3 h, LL37-SM hydrogels inhibited P. aeruginosa (PAO1) growth over 12 h. LL37-SM hydrogel treatment reduced PAO1 viability over 6 h whereas a rebound in bacterial growth was observed when treated with LL37 only. These data demonstrate LL37-SM hydrogels enhance antimicrobial activity by preserving LL37 AMP activity and bioavailability. Overall, this work establishes SM biomaterials as a platform for enhanced AMP delivery for antimicrobial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Yang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregg A Duncan
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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17
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Sharma T, Kundu N, Kaur S, Shankaraswamy J, Saxena S. Why to target G-quadruplexes using peptides: Next-generation G4-interacting ligands. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3491. [PMID: 37009771 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Guanine-rich oligonucleotides existing in both DNA and RNA are able to fold into four-stranded DNA secondary structures via Hoogsteen type hydrogen-bonding, where four guanines self-assemble into a square planar arrangement, which, when stacked upon each other, results in the formation of higher-order structures called G-quadruplexes. Their distribution is not random; they are more frequently present at telomeres, proto-oncogenic promoters, introns, 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions, stem cell markers, ribosome binding sites and so forth and are associated with various biological functions, all of which play a pivotal role in various incurable diseases like cancer and cellular ageing. Several studies have suggested that G-quadruplexes could not regulate biological processes by themselves; instead, various proteins take part in this regulation and can be important therapeutic targets. There are certain limitations in using whole G4-protein for therapeutics purpose because of its high manufacturing cost, laborious structure prediction, dynamic nature, unavailability for oral administration due to its degradation in the gut and inefficient penetration to reach the target site because of the large size. Hence, biologically active peptides can be the potential candidates for therapeutic intervention instead of the whole G4-protein complex. In this review, we aimed to clarify the biological roles of G4s, how we can identify them throughout the genome via bioinformatics, the proteins interacting with G4s and how G4-interacting peptide molecules may be the potential next-generation ligands for targeting the G4 motifs located in biologically important regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniya Sharma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Nikita Kundu
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Sarvpreet Kaur
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
| | - Jadala Shankaraswamy
- Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Budwel, Telangana, India
| | - Sarika Saxena
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India
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18
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Mitra A, Paul S. Pathways of hLL-37 17-29 Aggregation Give Insight into the Mechanism of α-Amyloid Formation. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8162-8175. [PMID: 37707359 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c04742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
α-amyloids present a novel self-assembly principle that can be utilized to prepare functional biomaterials. Evidence of α-amyloid formation in the active core of the human LL-37 protein (comprising residues 17 to 29) was associated with this peptide's membranolytic property. Though mechanistic pathways of β-amyloid formation are known, such studies are scarce in α-amyloids. Modern computational techniques allow such mechanistic studies in molecular detail. Here, we propose aggregation pathways in hLL-3717-29 through molecular dynamics simulations. We first identified oligomers among peptides based on a distance criterion. The distribution of oligomers was then used to build Markov state models from which pathways were obtained using the framework of transition path theory. We checked the structural stability of the peptides during oligomerization, which is crucial from their functional point of view. We also investigated the key residues that participate in oligomer formation, the interactions between them, and the effect of residue mutations on the binding free energy of the peptides. Our findings suggest that larger oligomers are produced from the association of smaller and intermediate oligomers. The peptides retain their helical structure during aggregation with transient occurrences of 3-10 helix and turns. Hydrophobic interactions are vital in the aggregation of these peptides with Ile24 playing a crucial role. Mutation of this residue to alanine decreases the peptides' binding free energy, resulting in reduced aggregation tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Mitra
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Sandip Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
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19
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Brown L, Yipp BG. Neutrophil swarming: Is a good offense the best defense? iScience 2023; 26:107655. [PMID: 37670784 PMCID: PMC10475518 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The phenomenon of swarming has long been observed in nature as a strategic event that serves as a good offense toward prey and predators. Imaging studies have uncovered that neutrophils employ this swarm-like tactic within infected and inflamed tissues as part of the innate immune response. Much of our understanding of neutrophil swarming builds from observations during sterile inflammation and various bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections of the skin. However, the architecture and function of the skin differ significantly from vital organs where highly specialized microenvironments carry out critical functions. Therefore, the detrimental extent this perturbation may have on organ function remains unclear. In this review, we examine organ-specific swarming within the skin, liver, and lungs, with a detailed focus on swarming within microvascular environments. In addition, we examine potential "swarmulants" that initiate both transient and persistent swarms that have been implicated in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Brown
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bryan G. Yipp
- Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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20
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Tiwari P, Srivastava Y, Sharma A, Vinayagam R. Antimicrobial Peptides: The Production of Novel Peptide-Based Therapeutics in Plant Systems. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1875. [PMID: 37763279 PMCID: PMC10532476 DOI: 10.3390/life13091875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance is alarming and has a significant impact on the economies of emerging and underdeveloped nations. The redundancy of antibiotic discovery platforms (ADPs) and injudicious use of conventional antibiotics has severely impacted millions, across the globe. Potent antimicrobials from biological sources have been extensively explored as a ray of hope to counter the growing menace of antibiotic resistance in the population. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are gaining momentum as powerful antimicrobial therapies to combat drug-resistant bacterial strains. The tremendous therapeutic potential of natural and synthesized AMPs as novel and potent antimicrobials is highlighted by their unique mode of action, as exemplified by multiple research initiatives. Recent advances and developments in antimicrobial discovery and research have increased our understanding of the structure, characteristics, and function of AMPs; nevertheless, knowledge gaps still need to be addressed before these therapeutic options can be fully exploited. This thematic article provides a comprehensive insight into the potential of AMPs as potent arsenals to counter drug-resistant pathogens, a historical overview and recent advances, and their efficient production in plants, defining novel upcoming trends in drug discovery and research. The advances in synthetic biology and plant-based expression systems for AMP production have defined new paradigms in the efficient production of potent antimicrobials in plant systems, a prospective approach to countering drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Tiwari
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yashdeep Srivastava
- RR Institute of Modern Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226201, Uttar Pradesh, India;
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Institute of Advanced Research, Koba Institutional Area, Gandhinagar 392426, Gujarat, India;
| | - Ramachandran Vinayagam
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea;
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21
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Liu C, Henning-Knechtel A, Österlund N, Wu J, Wang G, Gräslund RAO, Kirmizialtin S, Luo J. Oligomer Dynamics of LL-37 Truncated Fragments Probed by α-Hemolysin Pore and Molecular Simulations. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206232. [PMID: 37170734 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Oligomerization of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is critical in their effects on pathogens. LL-37 and its truncated fragments are widely investigated regarding their structures, antimicrobial activities, and application, such as developing new antibiotics. Due to the small size and weak intermolecular interactions of LL-37 fragments, it is still elusive to establish the relationship between oligomeric states and antimicrobial activities. Here, an α-hemolysin nanopore, mass spectrometry (MS), and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are used to characterize the oligomeric states of two LL-37 fragments. Nanopore studies provide evidence of trapping events related to the oligomer formation and provide further details on their stabilities, which are confirmed by MS and MD simulations. Furthermore, simulation results reveal the molecular basis of oligomer dynamics and states of LL-37 fragments. This work provides unique insights into the relationship between the oligomer dynamics of AMPs and their antimicrobial activities at the single-molecule level. The study demonstrates how integrating methods allows deciphering single molecule level understanding from nanopore sensing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Anja Henning-Knechtel
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, UAE
| | - Nicklas Österlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Jinming Wu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5900, USA
| | | | - Serdal Kirmizialtin
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 129188, UAE
| | - Jinghui Luo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
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22
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Weng T, Yang M, Zhang W, Jin R, Xia S, Zhang M, Wu P, He X, Han C, Zhao X, Wang X. Dual gene-activated dermal scaffolds regulate angiogenesis and wound healing by mediating the coexpression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10562. [PMID: 37693053 PMCID: PMC10487340 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10562] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The vascularization of dermal substitutes is a key challenge in efforts to heal deep skin defects. In this study, dual gene-activated dermal scaffolds (DGADSs-1) were fabricated by loading nanocomposite particles of polyethylenimine (PEI)/multiple plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) encoding vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 at a ratio of 1:1. In a similar manner, DGADSs-2 were loaded with a chimeric plasmid encoding both VEGF and Ang-1. In vitro studies showed that both types of DGADSs released PEI/pDNA nanoparticles in a sustained manner; they demonstrated effective transfection ability, leading to upregulated expression of VEGF and Ang-1. Furthermore, both types of DGADSs promoted fibroblast proliferation and blood vessel formation, although DGADSs-1 showed a more obvious promotion effect. A rat full-thickness skin defect model showed that split-thickness skin transplanted using a one-step method could achieve full survival at the 12th day after surgery in both DGADSs-1 and DGADSs-2 groups, and the vascularization time of dermal substitutes was significantly shortened. Compared with the other three groups of scaffolds, the DGADSs-1 group had significantly greater cell infiltration, collagen deposition, neovascularization, and vascular maturation, all of which promoted wound healing. Thus, compared with single-gene-activated dermal scaffolds, DGADSs show greater potential for enhancing angiogenesis. DGADSs with different loading modes also exhibited differences in terms of angiogenesis; the effect of loading two genes (DGADSs-1) was better than the effect of loading a chimeric gene (DGADSs-2). In summary, DGADSs, which continuously upregulate VEGF and Ang-1 expression, offer a new functional tissue-engineered dermal substitute with the ability to activate vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Weng
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
- Department of Burn and Plastic SurgeryChildren's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical CenterHangzhouChina
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Ronghua Jin
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Sizhan Xia
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Manjia Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Pan Wu
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaojie He
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Chunmao Han
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
| | - Xiong Zhao
- Department of Burn and Plastic SurgeryChildren's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical CenterHangzhouChina
| | - Xingang Wang
- Department of Burns & Wound Care CentreSecond Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- The Key Laboratory of Severe Trauma and Burns of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouChina
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23
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Alsaab FM, Dean SN, Bobde S, Ascoli GG, van Hoek ML. Computationally Designed AMPs with Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity against MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1396. [PMID: 37760693 PMCID: PMC10525135 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091396] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of new antimicrobials is necessary to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, especially those that infect wounds and form prodigious biofilms, such as Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of new therapeutics against drug-resistant bacteria, including gram-negatives. Here, we utilized a computational AMP design strategy combining database filtering technology plus positional analysis to design a series of novel peptides, named HRZN, designed to be active against A. baumannii. All of the HRZN peptides we synthesized exhibited antimicrobial activity against three MDR A. baumannii strains with HRZN-15 being the most active (MIC 4 µg/mL). This peptide also inhibited and eradicated biofilm of A. baumannii strain AB5075 at 8 and 16 µg/mL, which is highly effective. HRZN-15 permeabilized and depolarized the membrane of AB5075 rapidly, as demonstrated by the killing kinetics. HRZN 13 and 14 peptides had little to no hemolysis activity against human red blood cells, whereas HRZN-15, -16, and -17 peptides demonstrated more significant hemolytic activity. HRZN-15 also demonstrated toxicity to waxworms. Further modification of HRZN-15 could result in a new peptide with an improved toxicity profile. Overall, we successfully designed a set of new AMPs that demonstrated activity against MDR A. baumannii using a computational approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad M. Alsaab
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (S.B.)
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa 36428, Saudi Arabia
| | - Scott N. Dean
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA
| | - Shravani Bobde
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (S.B.)
| | - Gabriel G. Ascoli
- Aspiring Scientist Summer Internship Program, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Monique L. van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (S.B.)
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
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24
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Ioannou P, Baliou S, Kofteridis DP. Antimicrobial Peptides in Infectious Diseases and Beyond-A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1651. [PMID: 37629508 PMCID: PMC10455936 DOI: 10.3390/life13081651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent medical research and clinical practice developments, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly limits therapeutics for infectious diseases. Thus, novel treatments for infectious diseases, especially in this era of increasing AMR, are urgently needed. There is ongoing research on non-classical therapies for infectious diseases utilizing alternative antimicrobial mechanisms to fight pathogens, such as bacteriophages or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are evolutionarily conserved molecules naturally produced by several organisms, such as plants, insects, marine organisms, and mammals, aiming to protect the host by fighting pathogenic microorganisms. There is ongoing research regarding developing AMPs for clinical use in infectious diseases. Moreover, AMPs have several other non-medical applications in the food industry, such as preservatives, animal husbandry, plant protection, and aquaculture. This review focuses on AMPs, their origins, biology, structure, mechanisms of action, non-medical applications, and clinical applications in infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros Ioannou
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stella Baliou
- Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Diamantis P. Kofteridis
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
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25
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Blest HTW, Chauveau L. cGAMP the travelling messenger. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1150705. [PMID: 37287967 PMCID: PMC10242147 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1150705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
2'3'-cGAMP is a key molecule in the cGAS-STING pathway. This cyclic dinucleotide is produced by the cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS in response to the presence of aberrant dsDNA in the cytoplasm which is associated with microbial invasion or cellular damage. 2'3'-cGAMP acts as a second messenger and activates STING, the central hub of DNA sensing, to induce type-I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines necessary for responses against infection, cancer or cellular stress. Classically, detection of pathogens or danger by pattern recognition receptors (PRR) was thought to signal and induce the production of interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cell where sensing occurred. These interferon and cytokines then signal in both an autocrine and paracrine manner to induce responses in neighboring cells. Deviating from this dogma, recent studies have identified multiple mechanisms by which 2'3'-cGAMP can travel to neighboring cells where it activates STING independent of DNA sensing by cGAS. This observation is of great importance, as the cGAS-STING pathway is involved in immune responses against microbial invaders and cancer while its dysregulation drives the pathology of a wide range of inflammatory diseases to which antagonists have been elusive. In this review, we describe the fast-paced discoveries of the mechanisms by which 2'3'-cGAMP can be transported. We further highlight the diseases where they are important and detail how this change in perspective can be applied to vaccine design, cancer immunotherapies and treatment of cGAS-STING associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry T. W. Blest
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lise Chauveau
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM) - CNRS UMR 9004, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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26
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Li Y, Ma Y, Yu J, Li C, Yu D, Dai R, Li Q, Cao CY. A dual functional polypeptide with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for the treatment of periodontitis. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124920. [PMID: 37196724 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Periodontitis has been reported as the sixth most prevalent disease in human beings. This destructive disease is closely related to systemic diseases. Existing local drug delivery systems for periodontitis suffer from poor antibacterial effect and drug resistance. Inspired by the pathogenesis of periodontitis, we implemented a strategy to construct a dual functional polypeptide LL37-C15, which exhibited remarkable antibacterial effect against P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. In addition, LL37-C15 inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by controlling the inflammatory pathway and reversing macrophage M1. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of LL37-C15 was also verified in vivo in a periodontitis rat model through the morphometry and histological observations of alveolar bone, hematoxylin-eosin, and Trap staining in gingival tissue. The results of molecular dynamics simulations showed that LL37-C15 could selectively destroy the bacterial cell membrane and protect the animal cell membrane in a self-destructive manner. The results showed that the polypeptide LL37-C15, as a novel promising therapeutic agent, exhibited a great potential for the periodontitis management. What's more, this dual functional polypeptide provides a promising strategy for building a multifunctional therapeutic platform against the inflammation and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexiang Li
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yunfeng Ma
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jianan Yu
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Cancan Li
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Da Yu
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ruoxi Dai
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Department of Comprehensive Care, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Quanli Li
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chris Ying Cao
- Stomatologic Hospital & College, Anhui Medical University, Key Lab. of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei 230032, China.
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27
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Asensio-Calavia P, González-Acosta S, Otazo-Pérez A, López MR, Morales-delaNuez A, Pérez de la Lastra JM. Teleost Piscidins-In Silico Perspective of Natural Peptide Antibiotics from Marine Sources. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12050855. [PMID: 37237758 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fish, like all other animals, are exposed to constant contact with microbes, both on their skin and on the surfaces of their respiratory and digestive systems. Fish have a system of non-specific immune responses that provides them with initial protection against infection and allows them to survive under normal conditions despite the presence of these potential invaders. However, fish are less protected against invading diseases than other marine vertebrates because their epidermal surface, composed primarily of living cells, lacks the keratinized skin that serves as an efficient natural barrier in other marine vertebrates. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one type of innate immune protection present in all life forms. AMPs have been shown to have a broader range of biological effects than conventional antibiotics, including antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and antifungal effects. Although other AMPs, such as defensins and hepcidins, are found in all vertebrates and are relatively well conserved, piscidins are found exclusively in Teleost fish and are not found in any other animal. Therefore, there is less information on the expression and bioactivity of piscidins than on other AMPs. Piscidins are highly effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that cause disease in fish and humans and have the potential to be used as pharmacological anti-infectives in biomedicine and aquaculture. To better understand the potential benefits and limitations of using these peptides as therapeutic agents, we are conducting a comprehensive study of the Teleost piscidins included in the "reviewed" category of the UniProt database using bioinformatics tools. They all have amphipathic alpha-helical structures. The amphipathic architecture of piscidin peptides and positively charged residues influence their antibacterial activity. These alpha-helices are intriguing antimicrobial drugs due to their stability in high-salt and metal environments. New treatments for multidrug-resistant bacteria, cancer, and inflammation may be inspired by piscidin peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Asensio-Calavia
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- School of Doctoral and Graduate Studies, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, SN. Edificio Calabaza-Apdo. 456, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Sergio González-Acosta
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- School of Doctoral and Graduate Studies, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, SN. Edificio Calabaza-Apdo. 456, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Andrea Otazo-Pérez
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- School of Doctoral and Graduate Studies, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, SN. Edificio Calabaza-Apdo. 456, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel R López
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Antonio Morales-delaNuez
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - José Manuel Pérez de la Lastra
- Biotechnology of Macromolecules Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, 3, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
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28
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van Dijk A, Guabiraba R, Bailleul G, Schouler C, Haagsman HP, Lalmanach AC. Evolutionary diversification of defensins and cathelicidins in birds and primates. Mol Immunol 2023; 157:53-69. [PMID: 36996595 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Divergent evolution for more than 310 million years has resulted in an avian immune system that is complex and more compact than that of primates, sharing much of its structure and functions. Not surprisingly, well conserved ancient host defense molecules, such as defensins and cathelicidins, have diversified over time. In this review, we describe how evolution influenced the host defense peptides repertoire, its distribution, and the relationship between structure and biological functions. Marked features of primate and avian HDPs are linked to species-specific characteristics, biological requirements, and environmental challenge.
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29
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Leite ML, Duque HM, Rodrigues GR, da Cunha NB, Franco OL. The LL-37 domain: a clue to cathelicidin immunomodulatory response? Peptides 2023; 165:171011. [PMID: 37068711 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are naturally occurring polypeptide sequences that, in addition to being active against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other parasites, may stimulate immunomodulatory responses. Cathelicidins, a family of HDPs, are produced by diverse animal species, such as mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, to protect them against pathogen infections. These peptides have variable C-terminal domains responsible for their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities and a highly conserved N-terminal pre-pro region homologous to cathelin. Although cathelicidins are the major components of innate immunity, the molecular basis by which they induce an immune response is still unclear. In this review, we will address the role of the LL-37 domain and its SK-24, IV-20, FK-13 and LL-37 fragments in the immunity response. Other cathelicidins also share structural and functional characteristics with the LL-37 domain, suggesting that these fragments may be responsible for interaction between these peptides and receptors in humans. Fragments of the LL-37 domain can give us clues about how homologous cathelicidins, in general, induce an immune response. AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIAL: No data was used for the research described in the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Lopes Leite
- Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Harry Morales Duque
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gisele Regina Rodrigues
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nicolau Brito da Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brasil
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.
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30
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Shih CC, Liao WC, Ke HY, Kuo CW, Tsao CM, Tsai WC, Chiu YL, Huang HC, Wu CC. Antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 preserves intestinal barrier and organ function in rats with heat stroke. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114565. [PMID: 36958193 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Global warming increases the incidence of heat stroke (HS) and HS causes the reduction of visceral blood flow during hyperthermia, leading to intestinal barrier disruption, microbial translocation, systemic inflammation and multiple organ failure. Cathelicidin LL-37 exhibits antimicrobial activities, helps innate immunity within the gut to maintain intestinal homeostasis, and augments intestinal wound healing and barrier function. Thus, we evaluated the effects and possible mechanisms of cathelicidin LL-37 on HS. Wistar rats were placed in a heating-chamber of 42 ̊C to induce HS. Changes in rectal temperature, hemodynamic parameters, and survival rate were measured during the experimental period. Blood samples and ilea were collected to analyze the effects of LL-37 on systemic inflammation, multiple organ dysfunction, and intestinal injury. Furthermore, LS174T and HT-29 cells were used to assess the underlying mechanisms. Our data showed cathelicidin LL-37 ameliorated the damage of intestinal cells induced by HS. Intestinal injury, systemic inflammation, and nitrosative stress (high nitric oxide level) caused by continuous hyperthermia were attenuated in HS rats treated with cathelicidin LL-37, and hence, improved multiple organ dysfunction, coagulopathy, and survival rate. These beneficial effects of cathelicidin LL-37 were attributed to the protection of intestinal goblet cells (by increasing transepithelial resistance, mucin-2 and Nrf2 expression) and the improvement of intestinal barrier function (less cyclooxygenase-2 expression and FITC-dextran translocation). Interestingly, high cathelicidin expression in the ileal samples of inflammatory bowel disease patients was associated with better clinical outcome. These results suggest that cathelicidin LL-37 could prevent heat stress-induced intestinal damage and heat-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chin Shih
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Wei-Chieh Liao
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hung-Yen Ke
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Wen Kuo
- Department of Nephrology, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Ming Tsao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chiuan Tsai
- Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Lin Chiu
- Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsieh-Chou Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chin-Chen Wu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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31
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Aria H, Rezaei M. Immunogenic cell death inducer peptides: A new approach for cancer therapy, current status and future perspectives. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114503. [PMID: 36921539 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunogenic Cell Death (ICD) is a type of cell death that kills tumor cells by stimulating the adaptive immune response against other tumor cells. ICD depends on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the secretion of Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMP) by the dying tumor cell. DAMPs recruit innate immune cells such as Dendritic Cells (DC), triggering a cancer-specific immune response such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to eliminate remaining cancer cells. ICD is accompanied by several hallmarks in dying cells, such as surface translocation of ER chaperones, calreticulin (CALR), and extracellular secretion of DAMPs such as high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Therapeutic peptides can kill bacteria and tumor cells thus affecting the immune system. They have high specificity and affinity for their targets, small size, appropriate cell membrane penetration, short half-life, and simple production processes. Peptides are interesting agents for immunomodulation since they may overcome the limitations of other therapeutics. Thus, the development of peptides affecting the TME and active antitumoral immunity has been actively pursued. On the other hand, several peptides have been recently identified to trigger ICD and anti-cancer responses. In the present review, we review previous studies on peptide-induced ICD, their mechanism, their targets, and markers. They include anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), cationic or mitochondrial targeting, checkpoint inhibitors, antiapoptotic inhibitors, and "don't eat me" inhibitor peptides. Also, peptides will be investigated potentially inducing ICD that is divided into ER stressors, ATPase inhibitors, and anti-microbial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Aria
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marzieh Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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32
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Yang S, Duncan G. Synthetic Mucus Biomaterials for Antimicrobial Peptide Delivery. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531025. [PMID: 36945438 PMCID: PMC10028879 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections, their therapeutic efficacy is limited due to the rapid degradation and low bioavailability of AMPs. To address this, we have developed and characterized a synthetic mucus (SM) biomaterial capable of delivering AMPs and enhancing their therapeutic effect. LL37 loaded SM hydrogels demonstrated controlled release of LL37 over 8 hours as a result of charge-mediated interactions between mucins and LL37 AMPs. Compared to treatment with LL37 alone where antimicrobial activity was reduced after 3 hours, LL37-SM hydrogels inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 growth over 12 hours. LL37-SM hydrogel treatment reduced PAO1 viability over 6 hours whereas a rebound in bacterial growth was observed when treated with LL37 only. These data demonstrate LL37-SM hydrogels enhance antimicrobial activity by preserving LL37 AMP activity and bioavailability. Overall, this work establishes SM biomaterials as a platform for enhanced AMP delivery for antimicrobial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Yang
- University of Maryland, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, College Park, MD
| | - Gregg Duncan
- University of Maryland, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, College Park, MD
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Coletto LA, Rizzo C, Guggino G, Caporali R, Alivernini S, D’Agostino MA. The Role of Neutrophils in Spondyloarthritis: A Journey across the Spectrum of Disease Manifestations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044108. [PMID: 36835520 PMCID: PMC9959122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) contemplates the inflammatory involvement of the musculoskeletal system, gut, skin, and eyes, delineating heterogeneous diseases with a common pathogenetic background. In the framework of innate and adaptive immune disruption in SpA, neutrophils are arising, across different clinical domains, as pivotal cells crucial in orchestrating the pro-inflammatory response, both at systemic and tissue levels. It has been suggested they act as key players along multiple stages of disease trajectory fueling type 3 immunity, with a significant impact in the initiation and amplification of inflammation as well as in structural damage occurrence, typical of long-standing disease. The aim of our review is to focus on neutrophils' role within the spectrum of SpA, dissecting their functions and abnormalities in each of the relevant disease domains to understand their rising appeal as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Agra Coletto
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Chiara Rizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Rheumatology Section, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuliana Guggino
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Rheumatology Section, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO Institute, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Alivernini
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta D’Agostino
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Memariani H, Memariani M. Antibiofilm properties of cathelicidin LL-37: an in-depth review. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:99. [PMID: 36781570 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03545-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Notwithstanding ceaseless endeavors toward developing effective antibiofilm chemotherapeutics, biofilm-associated infections continue to be one of the most perplexing challenges confronting medicine today. Endogenous host defense peptides, such as the human cathelicidin LL-37, are being propounded as promising options for treating such infectious diseases. Over the past decennium, LL-37 has duly received tremendous research attention by virtue of its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory properties. No attempt has hitherto been made, as far as we are aware, to comprehensively review the antibiofilm effects of LL-37. Accordingly, the intent in this paper is to provide a fairly all-embracing review of the literature available on the subject. Accumulating evidence suggests that LL-37 is able to prevent biofilm establishment by different bacterial pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides fragilis, Burkholderia thailandensis, Cutibacterium acnes, Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Helicobacter pylori, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Inhibition of bacterial adhesion, downregulation of biofilm-associated genes, suppression of quorum-sensing pathways, degradation of biofilm matrix, and eradication of biofilm-residing cells are the major mechanisms responsible for antibiofilm properties of LL-37. In terms of its efficacy and safety in vivo, there are still many questions to be answered. Undoubtedly, LL-37 can open up new windows of opportunity to prevent and treat obstinate biofilm-mediated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Memariani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Memariani
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Kato H, Ohta K, Akagi M, Fukada S, Sakuma M, Naruse T, Nishi H, Shigeishi H, Takechi M, Aikawa T. LL-37-dsRNA Complexes Modulate Immune Response via RIG-I in Oral Keratinocytes. Inflammation 2023; 46:808-823. [PMID: 36763254 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01787-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Recognition of nucleic acids as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) promotes an inflammatory response. On the other hand, LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide, is a multifunctional modulator of immune response, though whether it modulates inflammatory responses induced by nucleic acids in oral keratinocytes is unknown. In this study, we firstly investigated the effect of LL-37 on CXCL10 induced by DAMPs and PAMPs in immortalized oral keratinocytes, RT7. Furthermore, the effects of LL-37 on translocation of exogenous nucleic acids into cytoplasm as well as cytosolic receptor, RIG-I on immune responses mediated by LL-37-nucleic acid complexes were examined. From these results, LL-37 enhanced necrotic cell supernatant (NCS)-induced CXCL10 expression in RT7, while the response was decreased by RNase. Complexes of LL-37 and double-stranded (ds) RNA, Poly(I:C) enhanced CXCL10 expression in comparison with each alone, which were associated with NF-κB activation. Furthermore, LL-37 was shown to bind with ds nucleotides and translocate into cytoplasm. Knockdown of RIG-I decreased expression of CXCL10 induced by LL-37-Poly(I:C) complexes, and RIG-I were co-localized with Poly(I:C) entered by LL-37 in cytoplasm. LL-37 modulates dsRNA-mediated inflammatory response via RIG-I in oral keratinocytes, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of oral inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Kato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
- Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Centerand, Chugoku Cancer Center , 3-1 Aoyama-Cho, Kure, 737-0023, Japan
| | - Kouji Ohta
- Department of Public Oral Health, Program of Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan.
| | - Misaki Akagi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Shohei Fukada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Miyuki Sakuma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takako Naruse
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Hiromi Nishi
- Department of General Dentistry, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Hideo Shigeishi
- Department of Public Oral Health, Program of Oral Health Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Masaaki Takechi
- Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Centerand, Chugoku Cancer Center , 3-1 Aoyama-Cho, Kure, 737-0023, Japan
| | - Tomonao Aikawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
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Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Gunasekera S, Göransson U. Transforming Cross-Linked Cyclic Dimers of KR-12 into Stable and Potent Antimicrobial Drug Leads. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020504. [PMID: 36831040 PMCID: PMC9953701 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Is it possible to enhance structural stability and biological activity of KR-12, a truncated antimicrobial peptide derived from the human host defense peptide LL-37? Based on the mapping of essential residues in KR-12, we have designed backbone-cyclized dimers, cross-linked via a disulfide bond to improve peptide stability, while at the same time improving on-target activity. Circular dichroism showed that each of the dimers adopts a primarily alpha-helical conformation (55% helical content) when bound to lyso-phosphatidylglycerol micelles, indicating that the helical propensity of the parent peptide is maintained in the new cross-linked cyclic form. Compared to KR-12, one of the cross-linked dimers showed 16-fold more potent antimicrobial activity against human pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans and 8-fold increased activity against Escherichia coli. Furthermore, these peptides retained antimicrobial activity at physiologically relevant conditions, including in the presence of salts and in human serum, and with selective Gram-negative antibacterial activity in rich growth media. In addition to giving further insight into the structure-activity relationship of KR-12, the current work demonstrates that by combining peptide stabilization strategies (dimerization, backbone cyclization, and cross-linking via a disulfide bond), KR-12 can be engineered into a potent antimicrobial peptide drug lead with potential utility in a therapeutic context.
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Dou X, Yan D, Liu S, Gao N, Ma Z, Shi Z, Dong N, Shan A. Host Defense Peptides in Nutrition and Diseases: A Contributor of Immunology Modulation. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:3125-3140. [PMID: 36753427 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c08522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are primary components of the innate immune system with diverse biological functions, such as antibacterial ability and immunomodulatory function. HDPs are produced and released by immune and epithelial cells against microbial invasion, which are widely distributed in humans, animals, plants, and microbes. Notably, there are great differences in endogenous HDP distribution and expression in humans and animals. Moreover, HDP expression could be regulated by exogenous substances, such as nutrients, and different physiological statuses in health and disease. In this review, we systematically assessed the regulation of expression and mechanism of endogenous HDPs from nutrition and disease perspectives, providing a basis to identify the specificity and regularity of HDP expression. Furthermore, the regulation mechanism of HDP expression was summarized systematically, and the differences in the regulation between nutrients and diseases were explored. From this review, we provide novel ideas targeted the immune regulation of HDPs for protecting host health in nutrition and practical and effective new ideas using the immune regulation theory for further research on protecting host health from pathogenic infection and excessive immunity diseases under the global challenge of the antibiotic-abuse-induced series of problems, including food security and microbial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujing Dou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziwen Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixuan Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Anshan Shan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, People's Republic of China
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The Potential of Surface-Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides for the Enhancement of Orthopaedic Medical Devices: A Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020211. [PMID: 36830122 PMCID: PMC9952162 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the well-known phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, there is a constant need for antibiotics with novel mechanisms and different targets respect to those currently in use. In this regard, the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem very promising by virtue of their bactericidal action, based on membrane permeabilization of susceptible microbes. Thanks to this feature, AMPs have a broad activity spectrum, including antibiotic-resistant strains, and microbial biofilms. Additionally, several AMPs display properties that can help tissue regeneration. A possible interesting field of application for AMPs is the development of antimicrobial coatings for implantable medical devices (e.g., orthopaedic prostheses) to prevent device-related infection. In this review, we will take note of the state of the art of AMP-based coatings for orthopaedic prostheses. We will review the most recent studies by focusing on covalently linked AMPs to titanium, their antimicrobial efficacy and plausible mode of action, and cytocompatibility. We will try to extrapolate some general rules for structure-activity (orientation, density) relationships, in order to identify the most suitable physical and chemical features of peptide candidates, and to optimize the coupling strategies to obtain antimicrobial surfaces with improved biological performance.
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Kayongo A, Robertson NM, Siddharthan T, Ntayi ML, Ndawula JC, Sande OJ, Bagaya BS, Kirenga B, Mayanja-Kizza H, Joloba ML, Forslund SK. Airway microbiome-immune crosstalk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1085551. [PMID: 36741369 PMCID: PMC9890194 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1085551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has significantly contributed to global mortality, with three million deaths reported annually. This impact is expected to increase over the next 40 years, with approximately 5 million people predicted to succumb to COPD-related deaths annually. Immune mechanisms driving disease progression have not been fully elucidated. Airway microbiota have been implicated. However, it is still unclear how changes in the airway microbiome drive persistent immune activation and consequent lung damage. Mechanisms mediating microbiome-immune crosstalk in the airways remain unclear. In this review, we examine how dysbiosis mediates airway inflammation in COPD. We give a detailed account of how airway commensal bacteria interact with the mucosal innate and adaptive immune system to regulate immune responses in healthy or diseased airways. Immune-phenotyping airway microbiota could advance COPD immunotherapeutics and identify key open questions that future research must address to further such translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Kayongo
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda,Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda,Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda,Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging Pathogens, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | | | - Trishul Siddharthan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Moses Levi Ntayi
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda,Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda,Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Josephine Caren Ndawula
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Obondo J. Sande
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard S. Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bruce Kirenga
- Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Harriet Mayanja-Kizza
- Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses L. Joloba
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sofia K. Forslund
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany,Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité - Universitatsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany,Charité-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Sofia K. Forslund,
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LL-37 antimicrobial peptide and heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimen significantly induce HIV-1 Nef-Vpr antigen- and virion-specific immune responses in mice. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:33-45. [PMID: 36550339 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03339-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES HIV infection still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The inability of highly-active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 eradication led to development of therapeutic vaccines. Exploiting effective immunogenic constructs and potent delivery systems are important to generate effective therapeutic vaccines, and overcome their poor membrane permeability. Among HIV-1 proteins, the Nef and Vpr proteins can be considered as antigen candidates in vaccine design. METHODS In this study, the immunogenicity of Nef-Vpr antigen candidate in different regimens along with antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (as a DNA carrier) and Montanide 720 (as an adjuvant) was studied in mice. Moreover, the secretion of cytokines was assessed in virion-exposed mice lymphocytes in vitro. RESULTS Our data indicated that groups immunized with the homologous protein + Montanide regimen (group 1), and also the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen (group 2) could significantly generate strong immune responses as compared to groups immunized with the DNA constructs (groups 3 & 4). Moreover, immunization of mice with the homologous DNA + LL-37 regimen in low dose of DNA (5 µg) could induce higher immune responses than the homologous naked DNA regimen in high dose of DNA (50 µg) indicating the role of LL-37 as a cell penetrating peptide. Additionally, the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen (group 2) induced significantly IFN-gamma secretion from virion-exposed lymphocytes in vitro. CONCLUSION Generally, the use of LL-37 for DNA delivery, Montanide 720 as an adjuvant, and heterologous DNA prime/protein boost strategy could significantly increase IgG2a, IFN-gamma, and Granzyme B, and maintain cytokine secretion after exposure to virions. Indeed, the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen can be considered as a potent strategy for development of therapeutic HIV vaccines.
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Zarei-Mehrvarz E, Fahimirad S, Ghaznavi-Rad E, Abbasian SS, Abtahi H. The LL-37 Antimicrobial Peptide as a Treatment for Systematic Infection of Acinetobacter baumannii in a Mouse Model. Protein Pept Lett 2023; 30:44-53. [PMID: 36177621 DOI: 10.2174/0929866529666220929160704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) played a critical role in the innate immunity of the host and are considered natural sources illustrating a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with high specificity and low cytotoxicity. AMPs generally possess a net positive charge and have amphipathic structures. Thus, AMPs can bind and interact with negatively charged bacterial cell membranes, leading to destructive defects in biomembranes and ending in cell death. LL37 is the only human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide that shows a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS To determine the antibacterial efficiency of LL37 in a mouse model of systemic A. baumannii infection, LL37 corresponding gene was expressed in E. coli, purification and refolding situations were optimized. The antimicrobial performance of produced LL-37 against A. baumannii was evaluated in vitro via MIC and Time Kill assays, and its destructive effects on the bacterial cell were confirmed by SEM image. RESULTS The recombinant LL37 showed strong antibacterial function against A. baumannii at 1.5 μg/mL concentration. Time kill assay showed a sharp reduction of cell viability during the first period of exposure, and complete cell death was recorded after 40 min exposure. CONCLUSION Furthermore, in vivo results represented a significant ability of LL37 in the treatment of systematic infected mouse models, and all infected mice receiving LL37 protein survived without no trace of bacteria in their blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Zarei-Mehrvarz
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Shohreh Fahimirad
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | | | - Hamid Abtahi
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
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Novel Alligator Cathelicidin As-CATH8 Demonstrates Anti-Infective Activity against Clinically Relevant and Crocodylian Bacterial Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11111603. [DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) represent an alternative way to address the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Crocodylians are interesting species for the study of these molecules because of their potent immune system, which confers high resistance to infection. Profile hidden Markov models were used to screen the genomes of four crocodylian species for encoded cathelicidins and eighteen novel sequences were identified. Synthetic cathelicidins showed broad spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against several clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In particular, the As-CATH8 cathelicidin showed potent in vitro activity profiles similar to the last-resort antibiotics vancomycin and polymyxin B. In addition, As-CATH8 demonstrated rapid killing of planktonic and biofilm cells, which correlated with its ability to cause cytoplasmic membrane depolarization and permeabilization as well as binding to DNA. As-CATH8 displayed greater antibiofilm activity than the human cathelicidin LL-37 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a human organoid model of biofilm skin infection. Furthermore, As-CATH8 demonstrated strong antibacterial effects in a murine abscess model of high-density bacterial infections against clinical isolates of S. aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, two of the most common bacterial species causing skin infections globally. Overall, this work expands the repertoire of cathelicidin peptides known in crocodylians, including one with considerable therapeutic promise for treating common skin infections.
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Machado A, Pereira I, Silva V, Pires I, Prada J, Poeta P, Costa L, Pereira JE, Gama M. Injectable hydrogel as a carrier of vancomycin and a cathelicidin-derived peptide for osteomyelitis treatment. J Biomed Mater Res A 2022; 110:1786-1800. [PMID: 36082973 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
A local drug delivery system that attempts to find a suitable balance between antimicrobial and regenerative actions was developed for osteomyelitis treatment (OM). This system combines the angiogenic and immunomodulatory peptide LLKKK18 (LL18) and vancomycin hydrochloride (VH), loaded into an injectable oxidized dextrin (ODEX)-based hydrogel (HG). In vitro cytotoxicity was analyzed in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts and erythrocytes. The kinetics of LL18 release was studied. Antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro against a clinical Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. A rat model of acute OM was developed by direct inoculation into a tibia defect, concomitantly with the implantation of the drug-loaded HG. The local bioburden was quantified and damage in surrounding tissues was examined histologically. In vitro, ODEX-based HG displayed a safe hemolytic profile. Half of LL18 (53%) is released during the swelling phase at physiological pH, then being gradually released until complete HG degradation. LL18-loaded HG at 300 μM was the most effective peptide formulation in decreasing in vivo infection among concentrations ranging from 86 to 429 μM. The histopathological scores observed in vivo varied with the LL18 concentration in a dose-dependent manner. VH at 28 mM completely eradicated bacteria, although with substantial tissue injury. We have found that sub-millimolar doses of VH combined with LL18 at 300 μM may suffice to eradicate the infection, with reduced tissue damage. We propose an easy-to-handle, shape-fitting HG formulation with the potential to treat MRSA-infected bone with low VH doses associated with LL18.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Machado
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS, Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS, Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Silva
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pires
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Justina Prada
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Poeta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE - Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Luís Costa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - José Eduardo Pereira
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre of Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Miguel Gama
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- LABBELS, Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
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Cardoso MH, Meneguetti BT, Oliveira-Júnior NG, Macedo MLR, Franco OL. Antimicrobial peptide production in response to gut microbiota imbalance. Peptides 2022; 157:170865. [PMID: 36038014 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiota presents essential functions in the immune response. The gut epithelium acts as a protective barrier and, therefore, can produce several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that can act against pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria. Several factors cause a disturbance in gut microbiota, including the exacerbated and erroneous use of antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy has been closely related to bacterial resistance and is also correlated with undesired side-effects to the host, including the eradication of commensal bacteria. Consequently, this results in gut microbiota imbalance and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) development. In this context, AMPs in the gut epithelium play a restructuring role for gut microbiota. Some naturally occurring AMPs are selective for pathogenic bacteria, thus preserving the health microbiota. Therefore, AMPs produced by the host's epithelial cells represent effective molecules in treating gut bacterial infections. Bearing this in mind, this review focused on describing the importance of the host's AMPs in gut microbiota modulation and their role as anti-infective agents against pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon H Cardoso
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117900, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70790160, Brazil; Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária, 79070900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Beatriz T Meneguetti
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117900, Brazil
| | - Nelson G Oliveira-Júnior
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70790160, Brazil
| | - Maria L R Macedo
- Laboratório de Purificação de Proteínas e suas Funções Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária, 79070900 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Octávio L Franco
- S-inova Biotech, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS 79117900, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70790160, Brazil.
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Jiang M, Chen R, Zhang J, Chen F, Wang KJ. A Novel Antimicrobial Peptide Spampcin 56-86 from Scylla paramamosain Exerting Rapid Bactericidal and Anti-Biofilm Activity In Vitro and Anti-Infection In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113316. [PMID: 36362111 PMCID: PMC9653689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The abuse of antibiotics leads to the increase of bacterial resistance, which seriously threatens human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find effective alternatives to antibiotics, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the most promising antibacterial agents and have received extensive attention. In this study, a novel potential AMP was identified from the marine invertebrate Scylla paramamosain and named Spampcin. After bioinformatics analysis and AMP database prediction, four truncated peptides (Spa31, Spa22, Spa20 and Spa14) derived from Spampcin were screened, all of which showed potent antimicrobial activity with different antibacterial spectrum. Among them, Spampcin56-86 (Spa31 for short) exhibited strong bactericidal activity against a variety of clinical pathogens and could rapidly kill the tested bacteria within minutes. Further analysis of the antibacterial mechanism revealed that Spa31 disrupted the integrity of the bacterial membrane (as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observation, NPN, and PI staining assays), leading to bacterial rupture, leakage of cellular contents (such as elevated extracellular ATP), increased ROS production, and ultimately cell death. Furthermore, Spa31 was found to interact with LPS and effectively inhibit bacterial biofilms. The antibacterial activity of Spa31 had good thermal stability, certain ion tolerance, and no obvious cytotoxicity. It is worth noting that Spa31 could significantly improve the survival rate of zebrafish Danio rerio infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, indicating that Spa31 played an important role in anti-infection in vivo. This study will enrich the database of marine animal AMPs and provide theoretical reference and scientific basis for the application of marine AMPs in medical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Roushi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jingrong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Fujian Innovation Research Institute for Marine Biological Antimicrobial Peptide Industrial Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (K.-J.W.)
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Fujian Innovation Research Institute for Marine Biological Antimicrobial Peptide Industrial Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- Correspondence: (F.C.); (K.-J.W.)
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Doderlin: Isolation and Characterization of a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Peptide from Lactobacillus acidophilus. Res Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2022.103995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Ramírez-Ledesma MG, Rodríguez MC, Alva-Murillo N, Avila EE. The antimicrobial peptides LL-37, KR-20, FK-13 and KR-12 inhibit the growth of a sensitive and a metronidazole-resistant strain of Trichomonas vaginalis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3503-3512. [PMID: 36171407 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07674-6] [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: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is the aetiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. This infection often remains asymptomatic and is related to several health complications. The traditional treatment for trichomoniasis uses drugs of the 5-nitroimidazole family, such as metronidazole; however, scientific reports indicate an increasing number of drug-resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides could be an alternative or complementary treatment. In this sense, one attractive candidate is the human cathelicidin, being LL-37 its active form. LL-37 possesses microbicidal activity against many microorganisms such as bacteria, Candida albicans, and Entamoeba histolytica. Shorter sequences derived from this peptide, such as KR-20, FK-13 and KR-12, have been shown to possess a higher microbicidal effect than LL-37. In this study, we determined the activity of LL-37 and its derivatives against T. vaginalis, which was unknown. The results showed that the four peptides (LL-37, KR-20, FK-13-NH2 and KR-12) decreased the viability of T. vaginalis on a 5-nitroimidazole-sensitive and a 5-nitroimidazole-resistant strain; however, KR-20 was the most effective peptide, followed by FK-13-NH2. Low concentrations of all peptides showed a better effect when combined with metronidazole in the sensitive and resistant T. vaginalis strains. These results are promising for potential future therapeutic uses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayra C Rodríguez
- Biology Department, DCNE, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Nayeli Alva-Murillo
- Biology Department, DCNE, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Eva E Avila
- Biology Department, DCNE, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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Jurgec S, Jezernik G, Gorenjak M, Büdefeld T, Potočnik U. Meta-Analytic Comparison of Global RNA Transcriptomes of Acute and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells Reveals Novel Gene Candidates Governing Myeloid Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194681. [PMID: 36230605 PMCID: PMC9562668 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Despite advances in the understanding of genetic risk factors and molecular mechanisms underlying acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), clinical outcomes of current therapies in terms of disease relapse and mortality rate pose a great economic and social burden. To overcome this, the identification of new molecular prognostic biomarkers and pharmacological targets is crucial. Recent studies have suggested that AML and CML may share common pathogenic mechanisms and cellular substrates. To this end, in the present study, global transcriptome profiles of AML and CML at the molecular and cellular level were directly compared using a combination of meta-analysis and modern statistics, and novel candidate genes and specific biological processes associated with the pathogenesis of AML and CML were characterized. Our study significantly improves our current understanding of myeloid leukemia and will help develop new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for disease progression, management and treatment response. Abstract Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) represent a group of hematological malignancies characterized by the pathogenic clonal expansion of leukemic myeloid cells. The diagnosis and clinical outcome of AML and CML are complicated by genetic heterogeneity of disease; therefore, the identification of novel molecular biomarkers and pharmacological targets is of paramount importance. Methods: RNA-seq-based transcriptome data from a total of five studies were extracted from NCBI GEO repository and subjected to an in-depth bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AML and CML. A systemic literature survey and functional gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed for the top 100 DEGs to identify novel candidate genes and biological processes associated with AML and CML. Results: LINC01554, PTMAP12, LOC644936, RPS27AP20 and FAM133CP were identified as novel risk genes for AML and CML. GO enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were significantly associated with pre-RNA splicing, reactive oxygen species and glycoprotein metabolism, the cellular endomembrane system, neutrophil migration and antimicrobial immune response. Conclusions: Our study revealed novel biomarkers and specific biological processes associated with AML and CML. Further studies are required to evaluate their value as molecular targets for managing and treating the myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Staša Jurgec
- Center for Human Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Jezernik
- Center for Human Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Mario Gorenjak
- Center for Human Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Büdefeld
- Center for Human Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Uroš Potočnik
- Center for Human Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Department for Science and Research, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska ulica 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-2-2345-854
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Saini J, Kaur P, Malik N, Lakhawat SS, Sharma PK. Antimicrobial peptides: A promising tool to combat multidrug resistance in SARS CoV2 era. Microbiol Res 2022; 265:127206. [PMID: 36162150 PMCID: PMC9491010 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), a life-threatening viral infection, is caused by a highly pathogenic virus named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Currently, no treatment is available for COVID-19; hence there is an urgent need to find effective therapeutic drugs to combat COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the fact that the world is facing a major issue of antimicrobial drug resistance, naturally occurring compounds have the potential to achieve this goal. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring antimicrobial agents which are effective against a wide variety of microbial infections. Therefore, the use of AMPs is an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review sheds light on the potential of antimicrobial peptides as antiviral agents followed by a comprehensive description of effective antiviral peptides derived from various natural sources found to be effective against SARS-CoV and other respiratory viruses. It also highlights the mechanisms of action of antiviral peptides with special emphasis on their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasleen Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
| | - Pritpal Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
| | - Naveen Malik
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
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Lobognon VD, Alard JE. Could AMPs and B-cells be the missing link in understanding periodontitis? Front Immunol 2022; 13:887147. [PMID: 36211356 PMCID: PMC9532695 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Periodontal diseases are common inflammatory conditions characterized by bone loss in response to simultaneous bacterial aggression and host defenses. The etiology of such diseases is still not completely understood, however. It has been shown that specific pathogens involved in the build-up of dysbiotic biofilms participate actively in the establishment of periodontitis. This multifactorial pathology also depends on environmental factors and host characteristics, especially defenses. The immune response to the pathogens seems to be critical in preventing the disease from starting but also contributes to tissue damage. It is known that small molecules known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key actors in the innate immune response. They not only target microbes, but also act as immuno-modulators. They can help to recruit or activate cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, or lymphocytes. AMPs have already been described in the periodontium, and their expression seems to be connected to disease activity. Alpha and beta defensins and LL37 are the AMPs most frequently linked to periodontitis. Additionally, leukocyte infiltrates, especially B-cells, have also been linked to the severity of periodontitis. Indeed, the particular subpopulations of B-cells in these infiltrates have been linked to inflammation and bone resorption. A link between B-cells and AMP could be relevant to understanding B-cells' action. Some AMP receptors, such as chemokines receptors, toll-like receptors, or purinergic receptors, have been shown to be expressed by B-cells. Consequently, the action of AMPs on B-cell subpopulations could participate to B-cell recruitment, their differentiation, and their implication in both periodontal defense and destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Dominique Lobognon
- B lymphocytes, Autoimmunity and Immunotherapies (LBAI), Mixed Research Unit (UMR)1227 INSERM, University of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Jean-Eric Alard
- B lymphocytes, Autoimmunity and Immunotherapies (LBAI), Mixed Research Unit (UMR)1227 INSERM, University of Brest, Brest, France,Service d’Odontologie, University Hospital (CHU) de Brest, Brest, France,*Correspondence: Jean-Eric Alard,
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