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Escobar-Salom M, Barceló IM, Rojo-Molinero E, Jordana-Lluch E, Cabot G, Oliver A, Juan C. In vitro activity of human defensins HNP-1 and hBD-3 against multidrug-resistant ESKAPE Gram-negatives of clinical origin and selected peptidoglycan recycling-defective mutants. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0035824. [PMID: 38441982 PMCID: PMC10986477 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00358-24] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of immune compounds as antimicrobial adjuvants is a classic idea recovering timeliness in the current antibiotic resistance scenario. However, the activity of certain antimicrobial peptides against ESKAPE Gram-negatives has not been sufficiently investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the activities of human defensins HNP-1 and hBD-3 alone or combined with permeabilizing/peptidoglycan-targeting agents against clinical ESKAPE Gram-negatives [Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), Enterobacter cloacae (EC), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and acute/chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)]. Lethal concentrations (LCs) of HNP-1 and hBD-3 were determined in four collections of multidrug resistant EC, AB, KP, and PA clinical strains (10-36 isolates depending on the collection). These defensins act through membrane permeabilization plus peptidoglycan building blockade, enabling that alterations in peptidoglycan recycling may increase their activity, which is why different recycling-defective mutants were also included. Combinations with physiological lysozyme and subinhibitory colistin for bactericidal activities determination, and with meropenem for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), were also assessed. HNP-1 showed undetectable activity (LC > 32 mg/L for all strains). hBD-3 showed appreciable activities: LC ranges 2-16, 8-8, 8->32, and 8->32 mg/L for AB, EC, KP, and PA, being PA strains from cystic fibrosis significantly more resistant than acute origin ones. None of the peptidoglycan recycling-defective mutants showed greater susceptibility to HNP-1/hBD-3. Combination with colistin or lysozyme did not change their bactericidal power, and virtually neither did meropenem + hBD-3 compared to meropenem MICs. This is the first study comparatively analyzing the HNP-1/hBD-3 activities against the ESKAPE Gram-negatives, and demonstrates interesting bactericidal capacities of hBD-3 mostly against AB and EC. IMPORTANCE In the current scenario of critical need for new antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant bacteria, all options must be considered, including classic ideas such as the use of purified immune compounds. However, information regarding the activity of certain human defensins against ESKAPE Gram-negatives was incomplete. This is the first study comparatively assessing the in vitro activity of two membrane-permeabilizing/peptidoglycan construction-blocking defensins (HNP-1 and hBD-3) against relevant clinical collections of ESKAPE Gram-negatives, alone or in combination with permeabilizers, additional peptidoglycan-targeting attacks, or the blockade of its recycling. Our data suggest that hBD-3 has a notable bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae strains that should be considered as potential adjuvant option. Our results suggest for the first time an increased resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from chronic infection compared to acute origin ones, and provide new clues about the predominant mode of action of hBD-3 against Gram-negatives (permeabilization rather than peptidoglycan-targeting).
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Affiliation(s)
- María Escobar-Salom
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel María Barceló
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Estrella Rojo-Molinero
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Jordana-Lluch
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel Cabot
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Oliver
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Juan
- Research Unit, University Hospital Son Espases-Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- Microbiology Department, University Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Gao X, Feng J, Wei L, Dong P, Chen J, Zhang L, Yang Y, Xu L, Wang H, Luo J, Qin M. Defensins: A novel weapon against Mycobacterium tuberculosis? Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 127:111383. [PMID: 38118315 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111383] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious airborne communicable disease caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) complex. Although the standard treatment antimicrobials, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, have made great progress in the treatment of TB, problems including the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), the severe toxicity and side effects of antimicrobials, and the low immunity of TB patients have become the bottlenecks of the current TB treatments. Therefore, both safe and effective new strategies to prevent and treat TB have become a top priority. As a subfamily of cationic antimicrobial peptides, defensins are rich in cysteine and play a vital role in resisting the invasion of microorganisms and regulating the immune response. Inspired by studies on the roles of defensins in host defence, we describe their research history and then review their structural features and antimicrobial mechanisms, specifically for fighting Mtb in detail. Finally, we discuss the clinical relevance, therapeutic potential, and potential challenges of defensins in anti-TB therapy. We further debate the possible solutions of the current application of defensins to provide new insights for eliminating Mtb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehan Gao
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jihong Feng
- Department of Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui People's Hospital, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Linna Wei
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Pinzhi Dong
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Jin Chen
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Langlang Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Junmin Luo
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
| | - Ming Qin
- Department of Immunology, Center of Immunomolecular Engineering, Innovation & Practice Base for Graduate Students Education, Special Key Laboratory of Gene Detection & Therapy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, China.
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3
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Jacobo-Delgado YM, Rodríguez-Carlos A, Serrano CJ, Rivas-Santiago B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell-wall and antimicrobial peptides: a mission impossible? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194923. [PMID: 37266428 PMCID: PMC10230078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most important infectious agents worldwide and causes more than 1.5 million deaths annually. To make matters worse, the drug resistance among Mtb strains has risen substantially in the last few decades. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find patients infected with Mtb strains that are virtually resistant to all antibiotics, which has led to the urgent search for new molecules and therapies. Over previous decades, several studies have demonstrated the efficiency of antimicrobial peptides to eliminate even multidrug-resistant bacteria, making them outstanding candidates to counterattack this growing health problem. Nevertheless, the complexity of the Mtb cell wall makes us wonder whether antimicrobial peptides can effectively kill this persistent Mycobacterium. In the present review, we explore the complexity of the Mtb cell wall and analyze the effectiveness of antimicrobial peptides to eliminate the bacilli.
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In Vitro Antimycobacterial Activity of Human Lactoferrin-Derived Peptide, D-hLF 1-11, against Susceptible and Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Its Synergistic Effect with Rifampicin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121785. [PMID: 36551443 PMCID: PMC9774897 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121785] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Although TB is treatable, multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant, and totally drug-resistant forms of M. tuberculosis have become a new life-threatening concern. New anti-TB drugs that are capable of curing these drug-resistant strains are urgently needed. The purpose of this study is to determine the antimycobacterial activity of D-enantiomer human lactoferricin 1-11 (D-hLF 1-11) against mycobacteria in vitro using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dephenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay, resazurin microplate assay, and microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay. Three previously described antimicrobial peptides, protegrin-1, AK 15-6, and melittin, with potent anti-TB activity, were included in this study. The findings suggest that D-hLF 1-11 can inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 100−200 µg/mL in susceptible, isoniazid (INH)-monoresistant, rifampicin (RF)-monoresistant, and MDR strains. The peptide can also inhibit some nontuberculous mycobacteria and other MTBC in similar concentrations. The antibiofilm activity of D-hLF 1-11 against the biofilm-forming M. abscessus was determined by crystal violet staining, and no significant difference is observed between the treated and untreated biofilm control. The checkerboard assay was subsequently carried out with M. tuberculosis H37Rv and the results indicate that D-hLF 1-11 displays an additive effect when combined with INH and a synergistic effect when combined with RF, with fractional inhibitory concentration indices of 0.730 and 0.312, respectively. The red blood cell hemolytic assay was initially applied for the toxicity determination of D-hLF 1-11, and negligible hemolysis (<1%) was observed, despite a concentration of up to 4 mg/mL being evaluated. Overall, D-hLF 1-11 has potential as a novel antimycobacterial agent for the future treatment of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant M. tuberculosis infections.
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de Souza GS, de Jesus Sonego L, Santos Mundim AC, de Miranda Moraes J, Sales-Campos H, Lorenzón EN. Antimicrobial-wound healing peptides: Dual-function molecules for the treatment of skin injuries. Peptides 2022; 148:170707. [PMID: 34896165 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic non-healing wounds caused by microbial infections extend the necessity for hospital care and constitute a public health problem and a great financial burden. Classic therapies include a wide range of approaches, from wound debridement to vascular surgery. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a preserved trait of the innate immune response among different animal species, with known effects on the immune system and microorganisms. Thus, AMPs may represent promising candidates for the treatment of chronic wounds with dual functionality in two of the main agents that lead to this condition, proliferation of microorganisms and uncontrolled inflammation. Here, our goal is to critically review AMPs with wound healing properties. We strongly believe that these dual-function peptides alone, or in combination with other wound healing strategies, constitute an underexplored field that researchers can take advantage of.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Helioswilton Sales-Campos
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
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Escobar‐Salom M, Torrens G, Jordana‐Lluch E, Oliver A, Juan C. Mammals' humoral immune proteins and peptides targeting the bacterial envelope: from natural protection to therapeutic applications against multidrug‐resistant
Gram
‐negatives. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1005-1037. [PMID: 35043558 PMCID: PMC9304279 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian innate immunity employs several humoral ‘weapons’ that target the bacterial envelope. The threats posed by the multidrug‐resistant ‘ESKAPE’ Gram‐negative pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) are forcing researchers to explore new therapeutic options, including the use of these immune elements. Here we review bacterial envelope‐targeting (peptidoglycan and/or membrane‐targeting) proteins/peptides of the mammalian immune system that are most likely to have therapeutic applications. Firstly we discuss their general features and protective activity against ESKAPE Gram‐negatives in the host. We then gather, integrate, and discuss recent research on experimental therapeutics harnessing their bactericidal power, based on their exogenous administration and also on the discovery of bacterial and/or host targets that improve the performance of this endogenous immunity, as a novel therapeutic concept. We identify weak points and knowledge gaps in current research in this field and suggest areas for future work to obtain successful envelope‐targeting therapeutic options to tackle the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Escobar‐Salom
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Gabriel Torrens
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Elena Jordana‐Lluch
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Antonio Oliver
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
| | - Carlos Juan
- Department of Microbiology University Hospital Son Espases‐Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa) Carretera de Valldemossa 79 Palma Balearic Islands 07010 Spain
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7
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Abstract
Antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat and could lead to a future pandemic. One strategy is to develop a new generation of antimicrobials. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are recognized templates and some are already in clinical use. To accelerate the discovery of new antibiotics, it is useful to predict novel AMPs from the sequenced genomes of various organisms. The antimicrobial peptide database (APD) provided the first empirical peptide prediction program. It also facilitated the testing of the first machine-learning algorithms. This chapter provides an overview of machine-learning predictions of AMPs. Most of the predictors, such as AntiBP, CAMP, and iAMPpred, involve a single-label prediction of antimicrobial activity. This type of prediction has been expanded to antifungal, antiviral, antibiofilm, anti-TB, hemolytic, and anti-inflammatory peptides. The multiple functional roles of AMPs annotated in the APD also enabled multi-label predictions (iAMP-2L, MLAMP, and AMAP), which include antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, antibiofilm, anticancer, anti-HIV, antimalarial, insecticidal, antioxidant, chemotactic, spermicidal activities, and protease inhibiting activities. Also considered in predictions are peptide posttranslational modification, 3D structure, and microbial species-specific information. We compare important amino acids of AMPs implied from machine learning with the frequently occurring residues of the major classes of natural peptides. Finally, we discuss advances, limitations, and future directions of machine-learning predictions of antimicrobial peptides. Ultimately, we may assemble a pipeline of such predictions beyond antimicrobial activity to accelerate the discovery of novel AMP-based antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA;,Corresponding to: Dr. Monique van Hoek: ; Dr. Iosif Vaisman: ; Dr. Guangshun Wang:
| | - Iosif I. Vaisman
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.,Corresponding to: Dr. Monique van Hoek: ; Dr. Iosif Vaisman: ; Dr. Guangshun Wang:
| | - Monique L. van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.,Corresponding to: Dr. Monique van Hoek: ; Dr. Iosif Vaisman: ; Dr. Guangshun Wang:
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8
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Díaz-Garrido P, Cárdenas-Guerra RE, Martínez I, Poggio S, Rodríguez-Hernández K, Rivera-Santiago L, Ortega-López J, Sánchez-Esquivel S, Espinoza B. Differential activity on trypanosomatid parasites of a novel recombinant defensin type 1 from the insect Triatoma (Meccus) pallidipennis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 139:103673. [PMID: 34700021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Defensins are one of the major families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are widely distributed in insects. In Triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi the causative agent of Chagas disease, two large groups of defensin isoforms have been described: type 1 and type 4. The aim of this study was to analyze the trypanocidal activity of a type 1 recombinant defensin (rDef1.3) identified in Triatoma (Meccus) pallidipennis, an endemic specie from México. The trypanocidal activity of this defensin was evaluated in vitro, against the parasites T. cruzi, T. rangeli, and two species of Leishmania (L. mexicana and L. major) both causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Our data demonstrated that the defensin was active against all the parasites although in different degrees. The defensin altered the morphology, reduced the viability and inhibited the growth of T.cruzi. When tested against T. rangeli (a parasite that infects a variety of mammalian species), stronger morphological effects where observed. Surprisingly the greatest effects were observed against the two Leishmania species, of which L. major was the parasite most affected with 50% of dead cells or with damaged membranes, in addition of a reduction in its proliferative capacity in culture. These results suggest that rDef1.3 has an important antimicrobial effect against trypanosomatids which cause some of the more important neglected tropical diseases transmitted by insect vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Díaz-Garrido
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Rosa Elena Cárdenas-Guerra
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Martínez
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Sebastián Poggio
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Karla Rodríguez-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Lucio Rivera-Santiago
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Jaime Ortega-López
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN # 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07360, México City, Mexico
| | - Sergio Sánchez-Esquivel
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico
| | - Bertha Espinoza
- Laboratorio de Estudios sobre Tripanosomiasis. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510, México City, Mexico.
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Jacobo-Delgado YM, Torres-Juarez F, Rodríguez-Carlos A, Santos-Mena A, Enciso-Moreno JE, Rivas-Santiago C, Diamond G, Rivas-Santiago B. Retinoic acid induces antimicrobial peptides and cytokines leading to Mycobacterium tuberculosis elimination in airway epithelial cells. Peptides 2021; 142:170580. [PMID: 34033876 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170580] [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: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death by a single infectious agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Alveolar macrophages and respiratory epithelial cells are the first cells exposed to Mtb during the primary infection, once these cells are activated, secrete cytokines and antimicrobial peptides that are associated with the Mtb contention and elimination. Vitamins are micronutrients that function as boosters on the innate immune system, however, is unclear whether they have any protective activity during Mtb infection. Thus, we investigated the role of vitamin A (retinoic acid), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D (calcitriol), and vitamin E (alfa-tocopherol) as inductors of molecules related to mycobacterial infection in macrophages and epithelial cells. Our results showed that retinoic acid promotes the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules such as Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), β-defensin-2, IL-1β, CCL20, β-defensin-3, Cathelicidin LL-37, TGF-β, and RNase 7, whereas calcitriol, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol lead to an anti-inflammatory response. Treatment of Mtb-infected epithelial cells and macrophage-like cells with the vitamins showed a differential response, where calcitriol reduced Mtb in macrophages, while retinoic acid reduced infection in epithelial cells. Thereby, we propose that a combination of calcitriol and retinoic acid supplementation can drive the immune response, and promotes the Mtb elimination by increasing the expression of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines, while simultaneously modulating inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Cesar Rivas-Santiago
- CONACYT-Academic Unit of Chemical Sciences, University Autonomous of Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Gill Diamond
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
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10
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Parwani D, Bhattacharya S, Rathore A, Mallick C, Asati V, Agarwal S, Rajoriya V, Das R, Kashaw SK. Current Insights into the Chemistry and Antitubercular Potential of Benzimidazole and Imidazole Derivatives. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 21:643-657. [PMID: 33138762 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666201102094401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), affecting millions of people worldwide. The emergence of drug resistance is a major problem in the successful treatment of tuberculosis. Due to the commencement of MDR-TB (multi-drug resistance) and XDR-TB (extensively drug resistance), there is a crucial need for the development of novel anti-tubercular agents with improved characteristics such as low toxicity, enhanced inhibitory activity and short duration of treatment. In this direction, various heterocyclic compounds have been synthesized and screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Among them, benzimidazole and imidazole containing derivatives have been found to have potential anti-tubercular activity. The present review focuses on various imidazole and benzimidazole derivatives (from 2015-2019) with their structure-activity relationships in the treatment of tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Parwani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Sushanta Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Akash Rathore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Chaitali Mallick
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Vivek Asati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Shivangi Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Vaibhav Rajoriya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Ratnesh Das
- Department of Chemistry, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
| | - Sushil Kumar Kashaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University (A Central University), Sagar (MP), India
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11
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Raj S, Venugopal U, Pant G, Kalyan M, Arockiaraj J, Krishnan MY, Pasupuleti M. Anti-mycobacterial activity evaluation of designed peptides: cryptic and database filtering based approach. Arch Microbiol 2021; 203:4891-4899. [PMID: 34244831 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02474-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, TB is one of the deadly airborne diseases, which accounts for 10.4 million deaths annually. Serious toxicity issue, prolonged treatment regimens of the current drugs, rise in multidrug-resistant strains, and the unique defensive mechanism makes the development of novel therapeutic molecules against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) an urgent need. As MT has a lengthy latent phase and unique cell wall architecture, a reasonable approach is needed to find molecules having a different killing mechanism rather than traditional approaches. Host defence peptides (HDPs) will be the most promising alternative, potential therapeutic candidates as they target the microbial membrane in particular and are an essential part of the innate immunity of humans. This works demonstrates the utility of "Database filtering" and three-dimensional (3D) modelling approach in finding novel AMPs with appreciable activity towards MT. Results of this study indicate that peptides with 70% hydrophobicity, but without hydrophobicity patches (> 4 hydrophobic amino acids in series) and charge of + 4 or + 5 are most likely to be good anti-tubercular candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Raj
- Microbiology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Umamageswaran Venugopal
- Microbiology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Garima Pant
- Electron Microscopy Unit, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Mitra Kalyan
- Electron Microscopy Unit, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- SRM Research Institute, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603 203, India
| | - Manju Y Krishnan
- Microbiology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Mukesh Pasupuleti
- Microbiology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, India.
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12
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Santana FL, Arenas I, Haney EF, Estrada K, Hancock REW, Corzo G. Identification of a crocodylian β-defensin variant from Alligator mississippiensis with antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. Peptides 2021; 141:170549. [PMID: 33865931 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
β-defensin host defense peptides are important components of the innate immune system of vertebrates. Although evidence of their broad antimicrobial, antibiofilm and immunomodulatory activities in mammals have been presented, β-defensins from other vertebrate species, like crocodylians, remain largely unexplored. In this study, five new crocodylian β-defensin variants from Alligator mississippiensis and Crocodylus porosus were selected for synthesis and characterization based on their charge and hydrophobicity values. Linear peptides were synthesized, folded, purified and then evaluated for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against the bacterial pathogens, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumannii. The Am23SK variant (SCRFSGGYCIWNWERCRSGHFLVALCPFRKRCCK) from A. mississippiensis displayed promising activity against both planktonic cells and bacterial biofilms, outperforming the human β-defensin 3 under the experimental conditions. Moreover, Am23SK exhibited no cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells and exerted immunomodulatory effects in vitro, moderately suppressing the production of proinflammatory mediators from stimulated human bronchial epithelial cells. Overall, our results have expanded the activity landscape of crocodylian and reptilian β-defensin in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix L Santana
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 510-3, Cuernavaca, Mor., 62250, Mexico; Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Iván Arenas
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 510-3, Cuernavaca, Mor., 62250, Mexico
| | - Evan F Haney
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Karel Estrada
- Unidad de Secuenciación Masiva y Bioinformática, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, 2259 Lower Mall Research Station, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z4, Canada
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 510-3, Cuernavaca, Mor., 62250, Mexico.
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13
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Antimicrobial Activity of Cyclic-Monomeric and Dimeric Derivatives of the Snail-Derived Peptide Cm-p5 against Viral and Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Strains. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050745. [PMID: 34067685 PMCID: PMC8156702 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cm-p5 is a snail-derived antimicrobial peptide, which demonstrated antifungal activity against the pathogenic strains of Candida albicans. Previously we synthetized a cyclic monomer as well as a parallel and an antiparallel dimer of Cm-p5 with improved antifungal activity. Considering the alarming increase of microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics, here we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of these derivatives against multiresistant and problematic bacteria and against important viral agents. The three peptides showed a moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL), and Streptococcus agalactiae, with MIC values > 100 µg/mL. They exerted a considerable activity with MIC values between 25–50 µg/mL against Acinetobacter baumanii and Enterococcus faecium. In addition, the two dimers showed a moderate activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. The three Cm-p5 derivatives inhibited a virulent extracellular strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, they inhibited Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) infection in a concentration-dependent manner, but had no effect on infection by the Zika Virus (ZIKV) or pseudoparticles of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). At concentrations of >100 µg/mL, the three new Cm-p5 derivatives showed toxicity on different eukaryotic cells tested. Considering a certain cell toxicity but a potential interesting activity against the multiresistant strains of bacteria and HSV-2, our compounds require future structural optimization.
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14
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Alharthi S, Alavi SE, Moyle PM, Ziora ZM. Sortase A (SrtA) inhibitors as an alternative treatment for superbug infections. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2164-2172. [PMID: 33781954 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Virulence factor, sortase A (SrtA), has crucial roles in the pathogenesis of Gram-positive superbugs. SrtA is a bacterial cell membrane enzyme that anchors crucial virulence factors to the cell wall surface of Gram-positive bacteria. SrtA is not necessary for bacterial growth and viability and is conveniently accessible in the cell membrane; therefore, it is an ideal target for antivirulence drug development. In this review, we focus on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-expressing bacteria and SrtA as a potential target for overcoming AMR. The mechanism of action of SrtA and its inhibition by various types of inhibitors, such as synthetic small molecules, peptides, and natural products, are provided. Future SrtA research perspectives for alternative drug development to antibiotics are also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitah Alharthi
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia; Department of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seyed Ebrahim Alavi
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia
| | - Peter Michael Moyle
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia.
| | - Zyta Maria Ziora
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.
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15
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Marin-Luevano SP, Rodriguez-Carlos A, Jacobo-Delgado Y, Valdez-Miramontes C, Enciso-Moreno JA, Rivas-Santiago B. Steroid hormone modulates the production of cathelicidin and human β-defensins in lung epithelial cells and macrophages promoting Mycobacterium tuberculosis killing. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2021; 128:102080. [PMID: 33799143 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2021.102080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have documented the interaction between the immune and endocrine systems as an effective defense strategy against tuberculosis, involving the production of several molecules and immunological processes. In this study, we determined the effect of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the production of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin and human β-defensin (HBD) -2, and HBD-3 and their effect on intracellular growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Our results showed that DHEA promotes the production of these antimicrobial peptides in infected cells, correlating with the decrease of Mtb bacilli loads. These results suggest the use of exogenous DHEA as an adjuvant for tuberculosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara P Marin-Luevano
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico; Center for Research in Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Adrian Rodriguez-Carlos
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Yolanda Jacobo-Delgado
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | | | - Jose A Enciso-Moreno
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Medical Research Unit-Zacatecas, Mexican Institute for Social Security-IMSS, Zacatecas, Mexico.
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16
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Ali ZA, Mankhi AA, Ad'hiah AH. Significance of the chemokine CXCL10 and human beta-defensin-3 as biomarkers of pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2021; 128:102078. [PMID: 33773403 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2021.102078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The biomarker significance of IL-35, chemokines (CXCL9 and CXCL10) and human beta-defensins (hBD2 and hBD3) was determined in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) of 105 Iraqi patients; 37 had active disease, 41 had multi-drug resistant (MDR) PTB and 27 had a relapse of TB. A control sample of 79 healthy persons was also included. Serum levels of markers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Kruskal-Wallis test together with Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc test revealed significance differences between patients and controls in levels of IL-35, CXCL9, CXCL10 and hBD3, while hBD2 showed no significant difference. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that CXCL10 and hBD3 were the most significant markers in predicting TB, particularly active disease. Logistic regression analysis proposed the susceptibility role of CXCL10 in TB. Gender- and age-dependent variations were also observed. Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed different correlations between markers in each group of patients and controls. In conclusion, CXCL10 was up-regulated in serum of TB patients, while hBD3 showed down-regulated level. Both serum proteins are possible candidate biomarkers for evaluation of TB progression, particularly in active disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab A Ali
- Biotechnology Department, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed A Mankhi
- National Specialized Center for Chest and Respiratory Diseases, Ministry of Health and Environment, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali H Ad'hiah
- Tropical-Biological Research Unit, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
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17
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Shiozawa A, Kajiwara C, Ishii Y, Tateda K. N-acetyl-cysteine mediates protection against Mycobacterium avium through induction of human β-defensin-2 in a mouse lung infection model. Microbes Infect 2020; 22:567-575. [PMID: 32882411 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium complex is a causative organism for refractory diseases. In this study, we examined the effects of N-acetyl-cysteine on M. avium infection in vitro and in vivo. N-acetyl-cysteine treatment suppressed the growth of M. avium in A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was related to the induction of the antibacterial peptide human β-defensin-2. In a mouse model, N-acetyl-cysteine treatment significantly reduced the number of bacteria in the lungs and induced murine β-defensin-3. In interleukin-17-deficient mice, the effects of N-acetyl-cysteine disappeared, indicating that these mechanisms may be mediated by interleukin-17. Moreover, an additional reduction in bacterial load was observed in mice administered N-acetyl-cysteine in combination with clarithromycin. Our findings demonstrate the potent antimycobacterial effects of N-acetyl-cysteine against M. avium by inducing antimicrobial peptide, suggesting that N-acetyl-cysteine may have applications as an alternative to classical treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Shiozawa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiaki Kajiwara
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshikazu Ishii
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Tateda
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Bongiovanni B, Marín-Luevano S, D'Attilio L, Díaz A, Fernández RDV, Santucci N, Bértola D, Bay ML, Rivas-Santiago B, Bottasso O. Evidence that changes in antimicrobial peptides during tuberculosis are related to disease severity, clinical presentation, specific therapy and levels of immune-endocrine mediators. Cytokine 2019; 126:154913. [PMID: 31731048 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2019.154913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Given the role of host defense peptides (HDPs) in the defensive response against mycobacteria, we analyzed the circulating levels of LL-37, β-defensin-2 and -3 in newly diagnosed patients with pulmonary (PTB) or pleural tuberculosis (PLTB) in whom measurements of pleural fluids were also performed. Severe PTB patients displayed higher circulating amounts of β-defensin-3, statistically different from controls, further decreasing upon antimycobacterial treatment. LL-37 concentrations appeared within the normal range at diagnosis, but tended to increase during treatment, becoming statistically upon its completion in moderate cases. PLTB patients revealed decreased levels of β-defensin-2 in presence of increased amounts of β-defensin-3 and LL-37; in their plasma or pleural fluids. Considering the immune-endocrine dysregulation of tuberculosis, we also performed correlation analysis detecting positive associations between levels of cortisol, IL-6 and β-defensin-3 in plasma from untreated severe patients as did their dehydroepiandrosterone and LL-37 values. Increased presence of β-defensins, may represent an attempt to improve defensive mechanisms; which also take part in the inflammatory reaction accompanying TB, reinforced by the association with immune-endocrine mediators. The divergent profile of PLTB patients, decreased β-defensin-2 but increased β-defensin-3 and LL-37 levels, suggests a differential role of these HDPs in a situation characterized for its better protective response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Bongiovanni
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Suipacha 570 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Sara Marín-Luevano
- Unidad Médica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Zacatecas Centro, 98053 Zacatecas, Mexico.
| | - Luciano D'Attilio
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Médicas, UNR, Santa Fe 3100 (S2002KTR) Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Ariana Díaz
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Médicas, UNR, Santa Fe 3100 (S2002KTR) Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Rocío Del Valle Fernández
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Médicas, UNR, Santa Fe 3100 (S2002KTR) Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Natalia Santucci
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Médicas, UNR, Santa Fe 3100 (S2002KTR) Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Diego Bértola
- Hospital Provincial del Centenario, Urquiza 3101 (S2002KDT), Rosario, Argentina.
| | - María Luisa Bay
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Médicas, UNR, Santa Fe 3100 (S2002KTR) Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Unidad Médica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Zacatecas Centro, 98053 Zacatecas, Mexico.
| | - Oscar Bottasso
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Suipacha 590 (S2002LRL), Rosario, Argentina; Facultad de Cs. Médicas, UNR, Santa Fe 3100 (S2002KTR) Rosario, Argentina.
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19
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Improving the heterologous expression of human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) using an experimental design. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 167:105539. [PMID: 31715251 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
At present, expressing antimicrobial peptides in bacterial models is considered a routine lab bench work. However, low expression yields of these types of proteins are usually obtained. In this work, the antimicrobial peptide human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) was obtained in low expression yields in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). To improve the expression yields of HBD2, some variables such as cell density, temperature, and length of induction, as well as the inducer concentration, were investigated using a 24-factorial design of experiments (DoE). This approach allowed us to identify the identification of critical variables (main effects and interactions among factors) affecting bacterial HBD2 expression. After the evaluation of 19 different combination, the best condition to express HBD2 had a pre-induction temperature of 37 °C, a cell density of 1.0 U (600 nm), an induction temperature of 20 °C and a 0.1 mM of gene expression inducer (IPTG) over four hours. Under such conditions, the expression yield of the HBD2 peptide was one order of magnitude higher than the peptide expression performed initially.
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20
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Yathursan S, Wiles S, Read H, Sarojini V. A review on anti-tuberculosis peptides: Impact of peptide structure on anti-tuberculosis activity. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3213. [PMID: 31515916 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem globally. Particularly concerning amongst drug-resistant human pathogens is Mycobacterium tuberculosis that causes the deadly infectious tuberculosis (TB) disease. Significant issues associated with current treatment options for drug-resistant TB and the high rate of mortality from the disease makes the development of novel treatment options against this pathogen an urgent need. Antimicrobial peptides are part of innate immunity in all forms of life and could provide a potential solution against drug-resistant TB. This review is a critical analysis of antimicrobial peptides that are reported to be active against the M tuberculosis complex exclusively. However, activity on non-TB strains such as Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare, whenever available, have been included at appropriate sections for these anti-TB peptides. Natural and synthetic antimicrobial peptides of diverse sequences, along with their chemical structures, are presented, discussed, and correlated to their observed antimycobacterial activities. Critical analyses of the structure allied to the anti-mycobacterial activity have allowed us to draw important conclusions and ideas for research and development on these promising molecules to realise their full potential. Even though the review is focussed on peptides, we have briefly summarised the structures and potency of the various small molecule drugs that are available and under development, for TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutharsana Yathursan
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Siouxsie Wiles
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hannah Read
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Vijayalekshmi Sarojini
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.,The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
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21
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Rodriguez A, Pedersen MØ, Villegas E, Rivas‐Santiago B, Villegas‐Moreno J, Amero C, Norton RS, Corzo G. Antimicrobial activity and structure of a consensus human β‐defensin and its comparison to a novel putative hBD10. Proteins 2019; 88:175-186. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigación en BiotecnologíaUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Cuernavaca Mexico
| | | | - Elba Villegas
- Centro de Investigación en BiotecnologíaUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Cuernavaca Mexico
| | - Bruno Rivas‐Santiago
- Medical Research Unit‐ZacatecasMexican Institute of Social Security IMSS Zacatecas Mexico
| | - Jessica Villegas‐Moreno
- Centro de Investigaciones QuímicasUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Cuernavaca Mexico
| | - Carlos Amero
- Centro de Investigaciones QuímicasUniversidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Cuernavaca Mexico
| | - Raymond S. Norton
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Instituto de BiotecnologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México Cuernavaca Mexico
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22
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Kang BY, Lee SS, Bang MH, Jeon H, Kim H, Chung DK. Water-based extracts of Zizania latifolia inhibit Staphylococcus aureus infection through the induction of human beta-defensin 2 expression in HaCaT cells. J Microbiol 2018; 56:910-916. [PMID: 30484159 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-018-8307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Zizania latifolia is a perennial herb belonging to the family Gramineae that has been used as a health food in Asian countries. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial effect of Z. latifolia, which increased human beta-defensin 2 (hBD2) expression in HaCaT cells. hBD2 expression was further increased in cells treated with Z. latifolia extracts and subsequently infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Inversely, S. aureus infection decreased after treatment. The induction of hBD2 in HaCaT cells was mediated by the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling pathway, including the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). Further study using siRNA revealed that hBD2 played an important role in the inhibition of S. aureus infection in HaCaT cells. Our data suggest that Z. latifolia extracts can be used as an antimicrobial ingredient for skin treatment formulas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yeon Kang
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Institute of Life Science and Resources, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Su Lee
- Skin Biotechnology Center, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Myun-Ho Bang
- Skin Biotechnology Center, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoik Jeon
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Institute of Life Science and Resources, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Hangeun Kim
- Skin Biotechnology Center, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dae Kyun Chung
- Graduate School of Biotechnology and Institute of Life Science and Resources, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea. .,Skin Biotechnology Center, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Hollmann A, Martinez M, Maturana P, Semorile LC, Maffia PC. Antimicrobial Peptides: Interaction With Model and Biological Membranes and Synergism With Chemical Antibiotics. Front Chem 2018; 6:204. [PMID: 29922648 PMCID: PMC5996110 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising novel antibiotics since they have shown antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial species, including multiresistant bacteria; however, toxicity is the major barrier to convert antimicrobial peptides into active drugs. A profound and proper understanding of the complex interactions between these peptides and biological membranes using biophysical tools and model membranes seems to be a key factor in the race to develop a suitable antimicrobial peptide therapy for clinical use. In the search for such therapy, different combined approaches with conventional antibiotics have been evaluated in recent years and demonstrated to improve the therapeutic potential of AMPs. Some of these approaches have revealed promising additive or synergistic activity between AMPs and chemical antibiotics. This review will give an insight into the possibilities that physicochemical tools can give in the AMPs research and also address the state of the art on the current promising combined therapies between AMPs and conventional antibiotics, which appear to be a plausible future opportunity for AMPs treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Hollmann
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Basic and Applied Microbiology, National University of Quilmes, Bernal, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas and National University of Santiago del Estero, Santiago del Estero, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melina Martinez
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Basic and Applied Microbiology, National University of Quilmes, Bernal, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Maturana
- Centro de Investigación en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas and National University of Santiago del Estero, Santiago del Estero, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liliana C Semorile
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Basic and Applied Microbiology, National University of Quilmes, Bernal, Argentina
| | - Paulo C Maffia
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Basic and Applied Microbiology, National University of Quilmes, Bernal, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Comprehensive Analysis and Comparison on the Codon Usage Pattern of Whole Mycobacterium tuberculosis Coding Genome from Different Area. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:3574976. [PMID: 29854746 PMCID: PMC5964552 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3574976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Phenomenon of unequal use of synonymous codons in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is common. Codon usage bias not only plays an important regulatory role at the level of gene expression, but also helps in improving the accuracy and efficiency of translation. Meanwhile, codon usage pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome is important for interpreting evolutionary characteristics in species. In order to investigate the codon usage pattern of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome, 12 Mycobacterium tuberculosis genomes from different area are downloaded from the GeneBank. The correlations between G3, GC12, whole GC content, codon adaptation index, codon bias index, and so on of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genomes are calculated. The ENC-plot, relationship between A3/(A3 + T3) and G3/(G3 + C3), GC12 versus GC3 plot, and the RSCU of overall/separated genomes all show that the codon usage bias exists in all 12 Mycobacterium tuberculosis genomes. Lastly, relationship between CBI and the equalization of ENC shows a strong negative correlation between them. The relationship between protein length and GC content (GC3 and GC12) shows that more obvious differences in the GC content may be in shorter protein. These results show that codon usage bias existing in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genomes could be used for further study on their evolutionary phenomenon.
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25
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Qin Z, Babu VS, Wan Q, Muhammad A, Li J, Lan J, Lin L. Antibacterial activity of hemocyanin from red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 75:391-399. [PMID: 29427719 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Hemocyanins (HMC): the copper-containing respiratory proteins present in invertebrate hemolymph, which plays many essential roles in the immune system. Currently, little is known about the HMC domains of Procambarus clarkii (P. clarkii) and their function in antimicrobial immune response. In this present study, we comparatively studied the expression pattern of native PcHMC with the three recombinant proteins of variable domains of crayfish hemocyanin (PcHMC-N, N-terminal domain of hemocyanin; PcHMC-T, tyrosinase domain of hemocyanin; PcHMC-C, C-terminal domain of hemocyanin). The results showed that three purified recombinant proteins had a strong binding to various bacteria and lipopolysaccharides that further highly agglutinated. The HMCs recombinant proteins showed strong antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus and S. aureus by bacterial growth inhibition, phenoloxidase (PO) and phagocytosis assays. Specifically, rPcHMC1-T and rPcHMC1-C inhibited both the bacteria efficiently, rPcHMC1-T was highly upregulated the PO activity than the other recombinant proteins. Whereas, recombinant proteins pretreated crayfish hemocytes participated in phagocytosis activity, rPcHMC1-N and rPcHMC1-C proteins had a profound effect than the rPcHMC1-T on S. aureus and V. parahaemolyticus phagocytosis. The crayfish hemocyanin domains clearly exhibited antibacterial and phagocytic activities against both the bacteria, suggesting that its variable domains of hemocyanin have the different function on specific pathogen during the assault of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Qin
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China
| | - V Sarath Babu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China
| | - Quanyuan Wan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China
| | - Asim Muhammad
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China
| | - Jun Li
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China; School of Biological Sciences, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA
| | - Jiangfeng Lan
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Li Lin
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Diseases and Waterfowl Breeding, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Waterfowl Healthy Breeding, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China.
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26
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Expression of recombinant HBD3 protein that reduces Mycobacterial infection capacity. AMB Express 2018; 8:42. [PMID: 29556853 PMCID: PMC5861256 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-018-0573-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis is a disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) that leads to great economic losses in cattle production. The discovery of a reasonable bioagent to reduce M. bovis infection risk and environment contamination becomes significant and urgent. Previous study reported that human β-defensin-3 (HBD3) participated in Mycobacterial immunity and was recognized as a suitable candidate reagent. However, its minimal inhibitory concentration to M. bovis is not yet reported. In this study, we first purified HBD3 protein by recombinant-DNA technology and prokaryotic expression system. Subsequently, anti-bacterial tests were used to evaluate the basic bioactivity of the protein. Results revealed that recombinant HBD3 (rHBD3) protein inhibits Staphylococcus multiplication but not the host Escherichia coli. The growth curve of M. bovis showed that rHBD3 protein controls the proliferation of M. bovis in 20 μg/ml concentration. In addition, rHBD3 protein-incubated M. bovis exhibited reduced infectivity to alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages. In conclusion, the expression of rHBD3 protein is a potential ideal bio-regent for reducing M. bovis infection.
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27
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Ahsan F, Maertzdorf J, Guhlich-Bornhof U, Kaufmann SHE, Moura-Alves P. IL-36/LXR axis modulates cholesterol metabolism and immune defense to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1520. [PMID: 29367626 PMCID: PMC5784124 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a life-threatening pathogen in humans. Bacterial infection of macrophages usually triggers strong innate immune mechanisms, including IL-1 cytokine secretion. The newer member of the IL-1 family, IL-36, was recently shown to be involved in cellular defense against Mtb. To unveil the underlying mechanism of IL-36 induced antibacterial activity, we analyzed its role in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, together with the involvement of Liver X Receptor (LXR) in this process. We report that, in Mtb-infected macrophages, IL-36 signaling modulates cholesterol biosynthesis and efflux via LXR. Moreover, IL-36 induces the expression of cholesterol-converting enzymes and the accumulation of LXR ligands, such as oxysterols. Ultimately, both IL-36 and LXR signaling play a role in the regulation of antimicrobial peptides expression and in Mtb growth restriction. These data provide novel evidence for the importance of IL-36 and cholesterol metabolism mediated by LXR in cellular host defense against Mtb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadhil Ahsan
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Jeroen Maertzdorf
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Ute Guhlich-Bornhof
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Stefan H E Kaufmann
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
| | - Pedro Moura-Alves
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany.
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28
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AlMatar M, Makky EA, Yakıcı G, Var I, Kayar B, Köksal F. Antimicrobial peptides as an alternative to anti-tuberculosis drugs. Pharmacol Res 2017; 128:288-305. [PMID: 29079429 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) presently accounts for high global mortality and morbidity rates, despite the introduction four decades ago of the affordable and efficient four-drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol). Thus, a strong need exists for new drugs with special structures and uncommon modes of action to effectively overcome M. tuberculosis. Within this scope, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small, cationic and amphipathic peptides that comprise a section of the innate immune system, are currently the leading potential agents for the treatment of TB. Many studies have recently illustrated the capability of anti-mycobacterial peptides to disrupt the normal mycobacterial cell wall function through various modes, thereby interacting with the intracellular targets, as well as encompassing nucleic acids, enzymes and organelles. This review presents a wide array of antimicrobial activities, alongside the associated properties of the AMPs that could be utilized as potential agents in therapeutic tactics for TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manaf AlMatar
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences (Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü) Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
| | - Essam A Makky
- Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Gambang, 26300 Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Gülfer Yakıcı
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Işıl Var
- Department of Food Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Begüm Kayar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Fatih Köksal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey
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Kolloli A, Subbian S. Host-Directed Therapeutic Strategies for Tuberculosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2017; 4:171. [PMID: 29094039 PMCID: PMC5651239 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. Currently, the standard treatment for TB involves multiple antibiotics administered for at least 6 months. Although multiple antibiotics therapy is necessary to prevent the development of drug resistance, the prolonged duration of treatment, combined with toxicity of drugs, contributes to patient non-compliance that can leads to the development of drug-resistant Mtb (MDR and XDR) strains. The existence of comorbid conditions, including HIV infection, not only complicates TB treatment but also elevates the mortality rate of patients. These facts underscore the need for the development of new and/or improved TB treatment strategies. Host-directed therapy (HDT) is a new and emerging concept in the treatment of TB, where host response is modulated by treatment with small molecules, with or without adjunct antibiotics, to achieve better control of TB. Unlike antibiotics, HDT drugs act by directly modulating host cell functions; therefore, development of drug resistance by infecting Mtb is avoided. Thus, HDT is a promising treatment strategy for the management of MDR- and XDR-TB cases as well as for patients with existing chronic, comorbid conditions such as HIV infection or diabetes. Functionally, HDT drugs fine-tune the antimicrobial activities of host immune cells and limit inflammation and tissue damage associated with TB. However, current knowledge and clinical evidence is insufficient to implement HDT molecules as a stand-alone, without adjunct antibiotics, therapeutic modality to treat any form of TB in humans. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on small molecule HDT agents that target autophagy, vitamin D pathway, and anti-inflammatory response as adjunctive agents along with standard antibiotics for TB therapy. Data from recent publications show that this approach has the potential to improve clinical outcome and can help to reduce treatment duration. Thus, HDT can contribute to global TB control programs by potentially increasing the efficiency of anti-TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsal Kolloli
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) at New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Selvakumar Subbian
- Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) at New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
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30
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Reuschl AK, Edwards MR, Parker R, Connell DW, Hoang L, Halliday A, Jarvis H, Siddiqui N, Wright C, Bremang S, Newton SM, Beverley P, Shattock RJ, Kon OM, Lalvani A. Innate activation of human primary epithelial cells broadens the host response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the airways. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006577. [PMID: 28863187 PMCID: PMC5605092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Early events in the human airways determining whether exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in acquisition of infection are poorly understood. Epithelial cells are the dominant cell type in the lungs, but little is known about their role in tuberculosis. We hypothesised that human primary airway epithelial cells are part of the first line of defense against Mtb-infection and contribute to the protective host response in the human respiratory tract. We modelled these early airway-interactions with human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and alveolar macrophages. By combining in vitro infection and transwell co-culture models with a global transcriptomic approach, we identified PBECs to be inert to direct Mtb-infection, yet to be potent responders within an Mtb-activated immune network, mediated by IL1β and type I interferon (IFN). Activation of PBECs by Mtb-infected alveolar macrophages and monocytes increased expression of known and novel antimycobacterial peptides, defensins and S100-family members and epithelial-myeloid interactions further shaped the immunological environment during Mtb-infection by promoting neutrophil influx. This is the first in depth analysis of the primary epithelial response to infection and offers new insights into their emerging role in tuberculosis through complementing and amplifying responses to Mtb. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, which remains a major public health burden today. In the majority of cases, infection is acquired by inhalation of aerosolised bacteria. Mtb is thought to target alveolar macrophages in the lower airways to establish infection. However, the cells predominantly lining the respiratory tract are epithelial cells and thus are likely crucial during the early host-pathogen interactions. We recovered primary human bronchial epithelial cells from healthy volunteers to assess their global transcriptomic response to direct Mtb-exposure and exposure to Mtb-infected myeloid cells. Our analysis revealed that, while being inert to direct Mtb-infection, epithelial cells were highly responsive to soluble mediators released by infected macrophages. The epithelial response induced by this cellular cross-talk, promoted neutrophil influx in vitro as well as the increase of antimycobaterial host responses. Our data provide novel and unexpected insights into the role of the primary human airway epithelium and define a non-redundant role for epithelial cells in shaping the local immunological environment at the site of initial Mtb infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Kathrin Reuschl
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael R. Edwards
- Department of Cytopathology, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Parker
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Connell
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Long Hoang
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Halliday
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Jarvis
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nazneen Siddiqui
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Corrina Wright
- Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Bremang
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra M. Newton
- Section of Paediatrics, Department of Medicine, St Mary’s Campus, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Beverley
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J. Shattock
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Onn Min Kon
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ajit Lalvani
- Tuberculosis Research Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Campus, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Guillén-Chable F, Arenas-Sosa I, Islas-Flores I, Corzo G, Martinez-Liu C, Estrada G. Antibacterial activity and phospholipid recognition of the recombinant defensin J1-1 from Capsicum genus. Protein Expr Purif 2017. [PMID: 28624494 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The gene of the four disulfide-bridged defensin J1-1 from Capsicum was cloned into the expression vector pQE30 containing a 6His-tag as fusion protein. This construct was transfected into Origami strain of Escherichia coli and expressed after induction with isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG). The level of expression was 4 mg/L of culture medium, and the His-tagged recombinant defensin (HisXarJ1-1) was expressed exclusively into inclusion bodies. After solubilization, HisXarJ1-1 was purified by affinity and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The reverse-phase HPLC profile of the HisXarJ1-1 product obtained from the affinity chromatography step showed single main peptide fraction of molecular masses of 7050.6 Da and after treatment with DTT a single fraction of 7, 042.6 Da corresponding to the reduced peptide was observed. An in vitro folding step of the HisXarJ1-1 generated a distinct profile of oxidized forms of the peptide this oxidized peptide was capable of binding phosphatidic acid in vitro. Possible dimer and oligomer of HisXarJ1-1 were visible in gel electrophoresis and immunodetected with anti-His antibodies. Pure recombinant defensin HisXarJ1-1 exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guillén-Chable
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Iván Arenas-Sosa
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Ignacio Islas-Flores
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Gerardo Corzo
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. Apartado Postal 510-3, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 61500, México
| | - Cynthia Martinez-Liu
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México
| | - Georgina Estrada
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Calle 43 No. 130, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida, Yucatán 97205, México.
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32
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Zhao Z, Mu ZL, Liu XW, Liu XJ, Jia J, Cai L, Zhang JZ. Expressions of Antimicrobial Peptides LL-37, Human Beta Defensin-2 and -3 in the Lesions of Cutaneous Tuberculosis and Tuberculids. Chin Med J (Engl) 2017; 129:696-701. [PMID: 26960373 PMCID: PMC4804416 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.178011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial peptides, including cathelicidin LL-37, human beta defensin (HBD)-2, and HBD-3, are important elements of the innate immune response and involved in modulation of the adaptive immunity, and they also play an important role in cutaneous defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods: The fresh skin tissues and paraffin-embedded biopsy samples from three cutaneous tuberculosis, two tuberculids, and ten healthy individuals were collected. The expressions of LL-37, HBD-2, and HBD-3 mRNA in the lesions of three cutaneous tuberculosis and two tuberculids were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; the protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting methods. Results: The expressions of LL-37 mRNA and protein in the lesions of cutaneous tuberculosis and tuberculids were similar to that of normal skin. The expression of HBD-2 mRNA had an increasing trend in the lesions of cutaneous tuberculosis and tuberculids compared with that of normal skin; however, the expression of HBD-2 protein in the lesions of cutaneous tuberculosis had a decreasing trend compared with that of normal skin, and the expression of HBD-2 protein in the lesions of tuberculids was similar to that of normal skin. The expressions of HBD-3 mRNA and protein in lesions of cutaneous tuberculosis and tuberculids were similar to that of normal skin. Conclusions: Our study indicated that the expression of HBD-2 and HBD-3 mRNA and protein in lesions of cutaneous tuberculosis may be not consistent with that of tuberculids. However, an inherent limitation of the present study was that the sample size was small, and the roles and regulation mechanisms of LL-37, HBD-2, and HBD-3 in cutaneous tuberculosis and tuberculids need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lin Cai
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
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Defensins: The Case for Their Use against Mycobacterial Infections. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:7515687. [PMID: 27725944 PMCID: PMC5048032 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7515687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tuberculosis remains a huge global public health problem with an estimated 1/3rd of the population being infected. Defensins are antibacterial cationic peptides produced by a number of cell types, most notably neutrophil granulocytes and epithelial cells. All three defensin types (α-, β-, and θ-defensins) have antibacterial activities, mainly through bacterial membrane permeabilization. Defensins are effective against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including mycobacteria and are active both intra- and extracellularly. Mycobacterial resistance has never been demonstrated although the mprF gene encoding resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is present in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome. In addition to their antibacterial effect, defensins are chemoattractants for macrophages and neutrophils. There are many cases for their use for therapy or prophylaxis in tuberculosis as well. In conclusion, we propose that there is considerable scope and potential for exploring their use as therapeutic/prophylactic agents and more comprehensive survey of defensins from different species and their bioactivity is timely.
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34
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Zhao X, Guo L, Lu X, Lu H, Wang F, Zhong M, Chen J, Zhang Y. Evidences of abundant hemocyanin variants in shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Mol Immunol 2016; 77:103-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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35
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Silva JP, Appelberg R, Gama FM. Antimicrobial peptides as novel anti-tuberculosis therapeutics. Biotechnol Adv 2016; 34:924-940. [PMID: 27235189 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has recently joined HIV/AIDS as the world's deadliest infectious disease, affecting around 9.6 million people worldwide in 2014. Of those, about 1.2 million died from the disease. Resistance acquisition to existing antibiotics, with the subsequent emergence of Multi-Drug Resistant mycobacteria strains, together with an increasing economic burden, has urged the development of new anti-TB drugs. In this scope, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small, cationic and amphipathic peptides that make part of the innate immune system, now arise as promising candidates for TB treatment. In this review, we analyze the potential of AMPs for this application. We address the mechanisms of action, advantages and disadvantages over conventional antibiotics and how problems associated with its use may be overcome to boost their therapeutic potential. Additionally, we address the challenges of translational development from benchside to bedside, evaluate the current development pipeline and analyze the expected global impact from a socio-economic standpoint. The quest for more efficient and more compliant anti-TB drugs, associated with the great therapeutic potential of emerging AMPs and the rising peptide market, provide an optimal environment for the emergence of AMPs as promising therapies. Still, their pharmacological properties need to be enhanced and manufacturing-associated issues need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Silva
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.
| | - Rui Appelberg
- Department of Immunophysiology, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Miguel Gama
- CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.
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Antimicrobial potentials and structural disorder of human and animal defensins. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 28:95-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 10/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Cantas L, Suer K, Guler E, Imir T. High Emergence of ESBL-Producing E. coli Cystitis: Time to Get Smarter in Cyprus. Front Microbiol 2016; 6:1446. [PMID: 26793167 PMCID: PMC4710751 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Widespread prevalence of extended-spectrum βeta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-producing E. coli) limits the infection therapeutic options and is a growing global health problem. In this study our aim was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile of the E. coli in hospitalized and out-patients in Cyprus. Results: During the period 2010–2014, 389 strains of E. coli were isolated from urine samples of hospitalized and out-patients in Cyprus. ESBL-producing E. coli, was observed in 53% of hospitalized and 44% in out-patients, latest one being in 2014. All ESBL-producing E. coli remained susceptible to amikacin, carbapenems except ertapenem (in-patients = 6%, out-patients = 11%). Conclusion: High emerging ESBL-producing E. coli from urine samples in hospitalized and out-patients is an extremely worrisome sign of development of untreatable infections in the near future on the island. We therefore emphasize the immediate need for establishment of optimal therapy guidelines based on the country specific surveillance programs. The need for new treatment strategies, urgent prescription habit changes and ban of over-the-counter sale of antimicrobials at each segment of healthcare services is also discussed in this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Cantas
- MicroLabHammerfest, Norway; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East UniversityNicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kaya Suer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Emrah Guler
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Turgut Imir
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus
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Short, Synthetic Cationic Peptides Have Antibacterial Activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis by Forming Pores in Membrane and Synergizing with Antibiotics. Antibiotics (Basel) 2015; 4:358-78. [PMID: 27025629 PMCID: PMC4790291 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics4030358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Multicellular organisms are constantly exposed to a multitude of pathogenic microbes. Infection is inhibited in vivo by the innate and adaptive immune system. Mycobacterium species have emerged that are resistant to most antibiotics. We identified several naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptides that were active at low micromolar concentrations against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Human-derived cathelicidin LL-37 is well characterized and studied against M. smegmatis; we compared LL-37 with Chinese cobra-derived cathelicidin NA-CATH and mouse cathelicidin (mCRAMP). Two synthetic 11-residue peptides (ATRA-1A and ATRA-2) containing variations of a repeated motif within NA-CATH were tested for their activity against M. smegmatis along with a short synthetic peptide derivative from the human beta-defensin hBD3 (hBD3-Pep4). We hypothesized that these smaller synthetic peptides may demonstrate antimicrobial effectiveness with shorter length (and at less cost), making them strong potential candidates for development into broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds or use in combination with antibiotics. These peptides have antimicrobial activity with EC50 ranging from 0.05 to 1.88 μg/mL against Mycobacterium smegmatis. The ATRA-1A short peptide was found to be the most effective antimicrobial peptide (AMP) (EC50 = 0.05 μg/mL). High bactericidal activity correlated with bacterial membrane depolarization and permeabilization activities. The efficacy of the peptides was further analyzed through Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays. The MICs were determined by the microdilution method. The peptide mCRAMP showed the best MIC activity at 15.6 μg/mL. Neither of the effective short synthetic peptides demonstrated synergy with the antibiotic rifampicin, although both demonstrated synergy with the cyclic peptide antibiotic polymyxin B. The peptides LL-37 and mCRAMP displayed synergism with rifampicin in MIC assays, whereas antibiotic polymyxin B displayed synergism with LL-37, ATRA-1A, and hBD3-Pep4. In further studies, polymyxin B synergized with LL-37, ATRA-1A, and hBD3-Pep4 while Rifampicin synergized with LL-37 and mCRAMP for intracellular killing of mycobacteria residing inside macrophages. These studies provide the foundation for the potential development of synthetic cationic antimicrobial peptides with activity against mycobacteria.
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da Costa JP, Cova M, Ferreira R, Vitorino R. Antimicrobial peptides: an alternative for innovative medicines? Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:2023-40. [PMID: 25586583 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides are small molecules with activity against bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and even tumor cells that make these molecules attractive as therapeutic agents. Due to the alarming increase of antimicrobial resistance, interest in alternative antimicrobial agents has led to the exploitation of antimicrobial peptides, both synthetic and from natural sources. Thus, many peptide-based drugs are currently commercially available for the treatment of numerous ailments, such as hepatitis C, myeloma, skin infections, and diabetes. Initial barriers are being increasingly overcome with the development of cost-effective, more stable peptides. Herein, we review the available strategies for their synthesis, bioinformatics tools for the rational design of antimicrobial peptides with enhanced therapeutic indices, hurdles and shortcomings limiting the large-scale production of AMPs, as well as the challenges that the pharmaceutical industry faces on their use as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pinto da Costa
- Mass Spectrometry Centre, QOPNA, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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40
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Padhi A, Sengupta M, Sengupta S, Roehm KH, Sonawane A. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins in mycobacterial therapy: Current status and future prospects. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2014; 94:363-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2014.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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41
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Kang J, Zhao D, Lyu Y, Tian L, Yin X, Yang L, Teng K, Zhou X. Antimycobacterial activity of Pichia pastoris-derived mature bovine neutrophil β-defensins 5. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 33:1823-34. [PMID: 24839955 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-014-2152-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an ongoing threat to global health, and the lack of effective therapies for treating it is also a global problem. Previous studies have shown that human cathelicidin and defensins have effective antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium spp. To our knowledge, there are no reports on the antimycobacterial effects of bovine neutrophil β-defensins so far. Here, we identified the antimicrobial effect of mature bovine neutrophil β-defensins (mBNBD) 5 against Mycobacterium infection both in vitro and in vivo. The mBNBD5 protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris. To increase the yield of β-defensins, a purification method was employed by adding a 6-His·tag to the C-terminus of the mBNBD5 gene. Our results indicated that recombinant mBNBD5 protein was successfully expressed and purified from Pichia pastoris with intact antimicrobial activity. The recombinant protein exhibited potent bactericidal activity in vitro against M. smegmatis and M. bovis, with a dose-dependent manner and a time-dependent manner. The electron microscope results showed that the bacterial cell wall of M. bovis was disrupted when incubated with mBNBD5 for 72 h. Our data also indicated that the exogenous addition of mBNBD5 could reduce the survival of Mycobacterium spp., especially M. tuberculosis and M. bovis in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These results provide foundations for the development of mBNBD5 as a potential new therapeutic agent for TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kang
- The State Key Lab of Agrobiotechnology; Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture; National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory; College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China,
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42
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Progress in tuberculosis vaccine development and host-directed therapies--a state of the art review. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2014; 2:301-20. [PMID: 24717627 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(14)70033-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis continues to kill 1·4 million people annually. During the past 5 years, an alarming increase in the number of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis has been noted, particularly in eastern Europe, Asia, and southern Africa. Treatment outcomes with available treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis are poor. Although substantial progress in drug development for tuberculosis has been made, scientific progress towards development of interventions for prevention and improvement of drug treatment outcomes have lagged behind. Innovative interventions are therefore needed to combat the growing pandemic of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Novel adjunct treatments are needed to accomplish improved cure rates for multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. A novel, safe, widely applicable, and more effective vaccine against tuberculosis is also desperately sought to achieve disease control. The quest to develop a universally protective vaccine for tuberculosis continues. So far, research and development of tuberculosis vaccines has resulted in almost 20 candidates at different stages of the clinical trial pipeline. Host-directed therapies are now being developed to refocus the anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis-directed immune responses towards the host; a strategy that could be especially beneficial for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis or extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. As we are running short of canonical tuberculosis drugs, more attention should be given to host-directed preventive and therapeutic intervention measures.
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Li W, Feng Y, Kuang Y, Zeng W, Yang Y, Li H, Jiang Z, Li M. Construction of eukaryotic expression vector with mBD1-mBD3 fusion genes and exploring its activity against influenza A virus. Viruses 2014; 6:1237-52. [PMID: 24632574 PMCID: PMC3970148 DOI: 10.3390/v6031237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza (flu) pandemics have exhibited a great threat to human health throughout history. With the emergence of drug-resistant strains of influenza A virus (IAV), it is necessary to look for new agents for treatment and transmission prevention of the flu. Defensins are small (2–6 kDa) cationic peptides known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Beta-defensins (β-defensins) are mainly produced by barrier epithelial cells and play an important role in attacking microbe invasion by epithelium. In this study, we focused on the anti-influenza A virus activity of mouse β-defensin 1 (mBD1) and β defensin-3 (mBD3) by synthesizing their fusion peptide with standard recombinant methods. The eukaryotic expression vectors pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 were constructed successfully by overlap-PCR and transfected into Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The MDCK cells transfected by pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 were obtained by G418 screening, and the mBD1-mBD3 stable expression pattern was confirmed in MDCK cells by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay. The acquired stable transfected MDCK cells were infected with IAV (A/PR/8/34, H1N1, 0.1 MOI) subsequently and the virus titers in cell culture supernatants were analyzed by TCID50 72 h later. The TCID50 titer of the experimental group was clearly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, BALB/C mice were injected with liposome-encapsulated pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 through muscle and then challenged with the A/PR/8/34 virus. Results showed the survival rate of 100% and lung index inhibitory rate of 32.6% in pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3group; the TCID50 titer of lung homogenates was clearly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that mBD1-mBD3 expressed by the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/mBD1-mBD3 could inhibit influenza A virus replication both in vitro and in vivo. These observations suggested that the recombinant mBD1-mBD3 might be developed into an agent for influenza prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyi Li
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yan Feng
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yu Kuang
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Wei Zeng
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Yuan Yang
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Hong Li
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Zhonghua Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Mingyuan Li
- Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Allocati N, Masulli M, Alexeyev MF, Di Ilio C. Escherichia coli in Europe: an overview. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:6235-54. [PMID: 24287850 PMCID: PMC3881111 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10126235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli remains one of the most frequent causes of several common bacterial infections in humans and animals. E. coli is the prominent cause of enteritis, urinary tract infection, septicaemia and other clinical infections, such as neonatal meningitis. E. coli is also prominently associated with diarrhoea in pet and farm animals. The therapeutic treatment of E. coli infections is threatened by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant E. coli strains is increasing worldwide principally due to the spread of mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids. The rise of multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli also occurs in Europe. Therefore, the spread of resistance in E. coli is an increasing public health concern in European countries. This paper summarizes the current status of E. coli strains clinically relevant in European countries. Furthermore, therapeutic interventions and strategies to prevent and control infections are presented and discussed. The article also provides an overview of the current knowledge concerning promising alternative therapies against E. coli diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerino Allocati
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti I-66013, Italy; E-Mails: (M.M.); (C.D.I.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +39-0871-355-4807; Fax: +39-0871-355-4808
| | - Michele Masulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti I-66013, Italy; E-Mails: (M.M.); (C.D.I.)
| | - Mikhail F. Alexeyev
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Carmine Di Ilio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti I-66013, Italy; E-Mails: (M.M.); (C.D.I.)
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Verway M, Bouttier M, Wang TT, Carrier M, Calderon M, An BS, Devemy E, McIntosh F, Divangahi M, Behr MA, White JH. Vitamin D induces interleukin-1β expression: paracrine macrophage epithelial signaling controls M. tuberculosis infection. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003407. [PMID: 23762029 PMCID: PMC3675149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although vitamin D deficiency is a common feature among patients presenting with active tuberculosis, the full scope of vitamin D action during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is poorly understood. As macrophages are the primary site of Mtb infection and are sites of vitamin D signaling, we have used these cells to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying modulation of the immune response by the hormonal form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D). We found that the virulent Mtb strain H37Rv elicits a broad host transcriptional response. Transcriptome profiling also revealed that the profile of target genes regulated by 1,25D is substantially altered by infection, and that 1,25D generally boosts infection-stimulated cytokine/chemokine responses. We further focused on the role of 1,25D- and infection-induced interleukin 1β (IL-1β) expression in response to infection. 1,25D enhanced IL-1β expression via a direct transcriptional mechanism. Secretion of IL-1β from infected cells required the NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammasome. The impact of IL-1β production was investigated in a novel model wherein infected macrophages were co-cultured with primary human small airway epithelial cells. Co-culture significantly prolonged survival of infected macrophages, and 1,25D/infection-induced IL-1β secretion from macrophages reduced mycobacterial burden by stimulating the anti-mycobacterial capacity of co-cultured lung epithelial cells. These effects were independent of 1,25D-stimulated autophagy in macrophages but dependent upon epithelial IL1R1 signaling and IL-1β-driven epithelial production of the antimicrobial peptide DEFB4/HBD2. These data provide evidence that the anti-microbial actions of vitamin D extend beyond the macrophage by modulating paracrine signaling, reinforcing its role in innate immune regulation in humans. In 2010 there were ∼9 million cases of tuberculosis and 1.4 million deaths, representing the second largest cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of death from a curable disease. M. tuberculosis (Mtb) replicates within cells of the immune system called macrophages over an approximate 72 hour period, ultimately inducing cell death. Notably, macrophages are sites of vitamin D signaling, and there is broad evidence that vitamin D modulates macrophage responses to Mtb. Elevated levels of TB have long been associated with vitamin D deficiency, strongly suggesting that vitamin D supplementation may be of therapeutic benefit. In this study we profile the host macrophage response to Mtb infection through the use of high-throughput genomics techniques. From this we have discovered that the dominant function of vitamin D is the modulation of the levels of specific cytokines, mediators of immune cell to cell signaling. Of particular interest was the increase in IL-1β signaling, which we show to be directly regulated by vitamin D. We also show that this increase in IL-1β is critical for driving a signaling cascade between macrophages and lung epithelial cells leading to epithelial antimicrobial peptide production that helps to contain Mtb infection in our model culture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Verway
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Manuella Bouttier
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tian-Tian Wang
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marilyn Carrier
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mario Calderon
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Beum-Soo An
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Devemy
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fiona McIntosh
- Montreal General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maziar Divangahi
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marcel A. Behr
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - John H. White
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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