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Guo HX, Wang BB, Wu HY, Feng HY, Zhang HY, Gao W, Yuan B. Turtle peptide and its derivative peptide ameliorated DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting inflammation and modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 132:112024. [PMID: 38608475 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112024] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent intestinal disease with an increasing incidence worldwide that seriously affects the life of patients. Turtle peptide (TP) is a bioactive peptide extracted from turtles that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-aging properties. However, studies investigating the effect of TP on the progression of UC are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate effects and underlying mechanisms of TP and its derivative peptide GPAGPIGPV (GP-9) in alleviating UC in mice. The results showed that 500 mg/kg TP treatment significantly ameliorated colitis symptoms and oxidative stress in UC mice. TP alleviated intestinal barrier damage in UC mice by promoting mucosal repair and increasing the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO1, occludin and claudin-1). TP also modulated the composition of the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Anaerotignum, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Alistipes, and Lachno-spiraceae_NK4A136_group and decreasing the abundance of the harmful bacteria Prevotella_9 and Parasutterella. Furthermore, we characterized the peptide composition of TP and found that GP-9 ameliorated the symptoms of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, TP and its derivative peptides ameliorated DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and modulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota; this study provides a theoretical basis for the application of TP and its derivative peptides for their anti-inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Xiang Guo
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China.
| | - Bing-Bing Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China.
| | - Hong-Yu Wu
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China; Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jilin 132101, Jilin, China.
| | - Hao-Yuan Feng
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China.
| | - Hong-Yi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China.
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China.
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China.
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2
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Thomas AM, Antony SP. Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: An Emerging Nightmare to the Life-Threatening Pathogens. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024; 16:552-578. [PMID: 37022565 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10061-x] [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] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens due to improper usage of conventional antibiotics has created a global health crisis. Alternatives to antibiotics being an urgent need, the scientific community is forced to search for new antimicrobials. This exploration has led to the discovery of antimicrobial peptides, a group of small peptides occurring in different phyla such as Porifera, Cnidaria, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Chordata, as a component of their innate immune system. The marine environment, possessing immense diversity of organisms, is undoubtedly one of the richest sources of unique potential antimicrobial peptides. The distinctiveness of marine antimicrobial peptides lies in their broad-spectrum activity, mechanism of action, less cytotoxicity, and high stability, which form the benchmark for developing a potential therapeutic. This review aims to (1) synthesise the available information on the distinctive antimicrobial peptides discovered from marine organisms, particularly over the last decade, and (2) discuss the distinctiveness of marine antimicrobial peptides and their prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Maria Thomas
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India
| | - Swapna P Antony
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi, Kerala, 682016, India.
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Immunity in Sea Turtles: Review of a Host-Pathogen Arms Race Millions of Years in the Running. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040556. [PMID: 36830343 PMCID: PMC9951749 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040556] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system of sea turtles is not completely understood. Sea turtles (as reptiles) bridge a unique evolutionary gap, being ectothermic vertebrates like fish and amphibians and amniotes like birds and mammals. Turtles are ectotherms; thus, their immune system is influenced by environmental conditions like temperature and season. We aim to review the turtle immune system and note what studies have investigated sea turtles and the effect of the environment on the immune response. Turtles rely heavily on the nonspecific innate response rather than the specific adaptive response. Turtles' innate immune effectors include antimicrobial peptides, complement, and nonspecific leukocytes. The antiviral defense is understudied in terms of the diversity of pathogen receptors and interferon function. Turtles also mount adaptive responses to pathogens. Lymphoid structures responsible for lymphocyte activation and maturation are either missing in reptiles or function is affected by season. Turtles are a marker of health for their marine environment, and their immune system is commonly dysregulated because of disease or contaminants. Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumorous disease that afflicts sea turtles and is thought to be caused by a virus and an environmental factor. We aim, by exploring the current understanding of the immune system in turtles, to aid the investigation of environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease and provide options for immunotherapy.
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Zhang ZC, Guo JN, Zhang N, Wang ZQ, Lou G, Cui BB, Yang C. Identification and Validation of Immune-Related Gene for Predicting Prognosis and Therapeutic Response in Ovarian Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:763791. [PMID: 34880862 PMCID: PMC8645858 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.763791] [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: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is a devastating malignancy with a poor prognosis. The complex tumor immune microenvironment results in only a small number of patients benefiting from immunotherapy. To explore the different factors that lead to immune invasion and determine prognosis and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), we established a prognostic risk scoring model (PRSM) with differential expression of immune-related genes (IRGs) to identify key prognostic IRGs. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to their immune and stromal scores. We used a bioinformatics method to identify four key IRGs that had differences in expression between the two groups and affected prognosis. We evaluated the sensitivity of treatment from three aspects, namely chemotherapy, targeted inhibitors (TIs), and immunotherapy, to evaluate the value of prediction models and key prognostic IRGs in the clinical treatment of OC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that these four key IRGs were independent prognostic factors of overall survival in OC patients. In the high-risk group comprising four genes, macrophage M0 cells, macrophage M2 cells, and regulatory T cells, observed to be associated with poor overall survival in our study, were higher. The high-risk group had a high immunophenoscore, indicating a better response to ICIs. Taken together, we constructed a PRSM and identified four key prognostic IRGs for predicting survival and response to ICIs. Finally, the expression of these key genes in OC was evaluated using RT-qPCR. Thus, these genes provide a novel predictive biomarker for immunotherapy and immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Cong Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Jun-Nan Guo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Ge Lou
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Bin-Bin Cui
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Chang Yang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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Wang Y, Ouyang J, Luo X, Zhang M, Jiang Y, Zhang F, Zhou J, Wang Y. Identification and characterization of novel bi-functional cathelicidins from the black-spotted frog (Pelophylax nigromaculata) with both anti-infective and antioxidant activities. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 116:103928. [PMID: 33242568 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cathelicidins are an important family of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which play pivotal roles in vertebrate immune responses against microbial infections. They are regarded as potential drug leads for the development of novel antimicrobial agents and three related drugs have been developed into clinical trials. Thus, it is meaningful to identify more cathelicidins from vertebrate species. Cathelicidins from ranid frogs possess special structural characteristics and activities, but to date only 12 ranid frog cathelicidins have been identified. In the present study, two novel cathelicidins (PN-CATH1 and 2) were identified from the black-spotted frog, Pelophylax nigromaculata. PN-CATHs possess low sequence similarity with the known cathelicidins. They exhibited moderate, but broad-spectrum and rapid antimicrobial activities against the tested bacteria. They kill bacteria by mainly inducing bacterial membrane disruption and possibly generating intracellular ROS formation. They also possess potent anti-biofilm and persister cell killing activity, indicating their potential in combating infections induced by biofilms-forming bacteria. Besides direct antimicrobial activity, they exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity by effectively inhibiting the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse macrophages, which could be partly ascribed to their direct LPS-neutralizing ability. Furthermore, PN-CATHs demonstrated powerful in vitro free radical scavenging activities. Ultraviolet radiation significantly increased their in vivo gene expression in frog skin. Meanwhile, they possess weak cytotoxic activity and extremely low hemolytic activity. PN-CATHs represent the first discovery of cathelicidins family AMPs with both potent anti-infective and antioxidant activities. The discovery of PN-CATHs provides potential peptide leads for the development of novel anti-infective and antioxidant drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China
| | - Jianhong Ouyang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Xuanjin Luo
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China
| | - Minghui Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China
| | - Fen Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Jiang Zhou
- Biology Department, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China.
| | - Yipeng Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China.
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6
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Alford MA, Baquir B, Santana FL, Haney EF, Hancock REW. Cathelicidin Host Defense Peptides and Inflammatory Signaling: Striking a Balance. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1902. [PMID: 32982998 PMCID: PMC7481365 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-defense peptides (HDPs) are vital components of innate immunity in all vertebrates. While their antibacterial activity toward bacterial cells was the original focus for research, their ability to modulate immune and inflammatory processes has emerged as one of their major functions in the host and as a promising approach from which to develop novel therapeutics targeting inflammation and innate immunity. In this review, with particular emphasis on the cathelicidin family of peptides, the roles of natural HDPs are examined in managing immune activation, cellular recruitment, cytokine responses, and inflammation in response to infection, as well as their contribution(s) to various inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, we discuss current efforts to develop synthetic HDPs as therapeutics aimed at restoring balance to immune responses that are dysregulated and contribute to disease pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A. Alford
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Beverlie Baquir
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Felix L. Santana
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Evan F. Haney
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert E. W. Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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7
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da Mata ECG, Ombredane A, Joanitti GA, Kanzaki LIB, Schwartz EF. Antiretroviral and cytotoxic activities of Tityus obscurus synthetic peptide. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2020; 353:e2000151. [PMID: 32686134 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202000151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
New drugs are constantly in demand, and nature's biodiversity is a rich source of new compounds for therapeutic applications. Synthetic peptides based on the transcriptome analysis of scorpion venoms of Tityus obscurus, Opisthacanthus cayaporum, and Hadrurus gertschi were assayed for their cytotoxic and antiretroviral activity. The Tityus obscurus scorpion-derived synthetic peptide (FFGTLFKLGSKLIPGVMKLFSKKKER), in concentrations ranging from 6.24 to 0.39 μM, proved to be the most active one against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication in the HUT-78 cell line and in primary human leukocytes, with the lowest toxicity for these cells. The immune cellular response evaluated in primary human leukocytes treated with the most promising peptide and challenged with SIV infection exhibited production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and interferon-γ, which could be involved in cell defense mechanisms to overcome viral infection through proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways, similar to those evoked for triggering the mechanisms exerted by antiviral restriction factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elida C G da Mata
- Laboratory of Bioprospection, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Alicia Ombredane
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds and Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Graziella A Joanitti
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compounds and Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Ceilandia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - L I B Kanzaki
- Laboratory of Bioprospection, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth F Schwartz
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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de Barros E, Gonçalves RM, Cardoso MH, Santos NC, Franco OL, Cândido ES. Snake Venom Cathelicidins as Natural Antimicrobial Peptides. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1415. [PMID: 31849667 PMCID: PMC6895205 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioactive small molecules isolated from animals, plants, fungi and bacteria, including natural antimicrobial peptides, have shown great therapeutic potential worldwide. Among these peptides, snake venom cathelicidins are being widely exploited, because the variation in the composition of the venom reflects a range of biological activities that may be of biotechnological interest. Cathelicidins are short, cationic, and amphipathic molecules. They play an important role in host defense against microbial infections. We are currently facing a strong limitation on pharmacological interventions for infection control, which has become increasingly complex due to the lack of effective therapeutic options. In this review, we will focus on natural snake venom cathelicidins as promising candidates for the development of new antibacterial agents to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We will highlight their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities, mechanism of action, and modulation of the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizângela de Barros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Regina M Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Marlon H Cardoso
- S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nuno C Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Octávio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Elizabete S Cândido
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,S-Inova Biotech, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Brazil.,Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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