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van den Biggelaar RHGA, Walburg KV, van den Eeden SJF, van Doorn CLR, Meiler E, de Ries AS, Meijer AH, Ottenhoff THM, Saris A. Identification of kinase modulators as host-directed therapeutics against intracellular methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1367938. [PMID: 38590439 PMCID: PMC10999543 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1367938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), poses a threat to successful antibiotic treatment. Unsuccessful attempts to develop a vaccine and rising resistance to last-resort antibiotics urge the need for alternative treatments. Host-directed therapy (HDT) targeting critical intracellular stages of S. aureus emerges as a promising alternative, potentially acting synergistically with antibiotics and reducing the risk of de novo drug resistance. We assessed 201 ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors from Published Kinase Inhibitor Sets (PKIS1 and PKIS2) against intracellular MRSA. Seventeen hit compounds were identified, of which the two most effective and well-tolerated hit compounds (i.e., GW633459A and GW296115X) were selected for further analysis. The compounds did not affect planktonic bacterial cultures, while they were active in a range of human cell lines of cervical, skin, lung, breast and monocyte origin, confirming their host-directed mechanisms. GW633459A, structurally related to lapatinib, exhibited an HDT effect on intracellular MRSA independently of its known human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/(HER) kinase family targets. GW296115X activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thereby enhancing bacterial degradation via autophagy. Finally, GW296115X not only reduced MRSA growth in human cells but also improved the survival rates of MRSA-infected zebrafish embryos, highlighting its potential as HDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin H. G. A. van den Biggelaar
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kimberley V. Walburg
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Susan J. F. van den Eeden
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Cassandra L. R. van Doorn
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eugenia Meiler
- Global Health Medicines R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Tres Cantos, Spain
| | - Alex S. de Ries
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Tom H. M. Ottenhoff
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anno Saris
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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2
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Mahen KK, Markley L, Bogart J, Klatka H, Krishna V, Maytin EV, Stark GR, McDonald C. Topical N-phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate is a dual action candidate for treating non-melanoma skin cancer. Exp Dermatol 2023; 32:1485-1497. [PMID: 37309615 PMCID: PMC10527533 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14853] [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: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Each year, 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and an additional 40 million individuals undergo treatment of precancerous actinic keratosis lesions. The most effective treatments of NMSC (surgical excision and Mohs surgery) are invasive, expensive and require specialised training. More readily accessible topical therapies currently are 5-fluorouracil (a chemotherapeutic agent) and imiquimod (an immune modulator), but these can have significant side effects which limit their efficacy. Therefore, more effective and accessible treatments are needed for non-melanoma cancers and precancers. Our previous work demonstrated that the small molecule N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA) both inhibits pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis and activates pattern recognition receptor nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2. We propose that topical application of PALA would be an effective NMSC therapy, by combining the chemotherapeutic and immune modulatory features of 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod. Daily topical application of PALA to mouse skin was well tolerated and resulted in less irritation, fewer histopathological changes, and less inflammation than caused by either 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod. In an ultraviolet light-induced NMSC mouse model, topical PALA treatment substantially reduced the numbers, areas and grades of tumours, compared to vehicle controls. This anti-neoplastic activity was associated with increased expression of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin and increased recruitment of CD8+ T cells and F4/80+ macrophages to the tumours, demonstrating both immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative effects. These findings indicate that topical PALA is an excellent candidate as an effective alternative to current standard-of-care NMSC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kala K. Mahen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Lilian Markley
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Jolie Bogart
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Hope Klatka
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Vijay Krishna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Edward V. Maytin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - George R. Stark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Christine McDonald
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
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3
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Wang J, Duan Z, Chen X, Li M. The immune function of dermal fibroblasts in skin defence against pathogens. Exp Dermatol 2023; 32:1326-1333. [PMID: 37387265 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Dermal fibroblasts are the main resident cells of the dermis. They have several significant functions related to wound healing, extracellular matrix production and hair cycling. Dermal fibroblasts can also act as sentinels in defence against infection. They express pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors to sense pathogen components, followed by the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, IFN-β and TNF-α), chemokines (such as IL-8 and CXCL1) and antimicrobial peptides. Dermal fibroblasts also secrete other molecules-like growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases to benefit tissue repair from infection. Crosstalk between dermal fibroblasts and immune cells may amplify the immune response against infection. Moreover, the transition of a certain adipogenic fibroblasts to adipocytes protects skin from bacterial infection. Together, we discuss the role of dermal fibroblasts in the war against pathogens in this review. Dermal fibroblasts have important immune functions in anti-infection immunity, which should not be overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Wang
- Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhimin Duan
- Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Li
- Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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4
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Kim J, Kim GL, Norambuena J, Boyd JM, Parker D. Impact of the pentose phosphate pathway on metabolism and pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011531. [PMID: 37440594 PMCID: PMC10368262 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen that leads to significant disease through multiple routes of infection. We recently published a transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) screen in a mouse acute pneumonia model and identified a hypothetical gene (SAUSA300_1902, pgl) with similarity to a lactonase of Escherichia coli involved in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) that was conditionally essential. Limited studies have investigated the role of the PPP in physiology and pathogenesis of S. aureus. We show here that mutation of pgl significantly impacts ATP levels and respiration. RNA-seq analysis of the pgl mutant and parent strains identified compensatory changes in gene expression for glucose and gluconate as well as reductions in the pyrimidine biosynthesis locus. These differences were also evident through unbiased metabolomics studies and 13C labeling experiments that showed mutation of pgl led to reductions in pyrimidine metabolism including decreases in ribose-5P, UMP and GMP. These nucleotide reductions impacted the amount of extracellular DNA in biofilms and reduced biofilm formation. Mutation also limited the capacity of the strain to resist oxidant damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and paraquat and subsequent intracellular survival inside macrophages. Changes in wall teichoic acid impacted susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide. We demonstrated the importance of these changes on virulence in three different models of infection, covering respiratory, skin and septicemia, demonstrating the need for proper PPP function in all models. This work demonstrates the multifaceted role metabolism can play in multiple aspects of S. aureus pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisun Kim
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Gyu-Lee Kim
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Javiera Norambuena
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey M Boyd
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Dane Parker
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
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Jatana S, Ponti AK, Johnson EE, Rebert NA, Smith JL, Fulmer CG, Maytin EV, Achkar JP, Fernandez AP, McDonald C. A novel murine model of pyoderma gangrenosum reveals that inflammatory skin-gut crosstalk is mediated by IL-1β-primed neutrophils. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1148893. [PMID: 37475852 PMCID: PMC10354730 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1148893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a debilitating skin condition often accompanied by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Strikingly, ~40% of patients that present with PG have underlying IBD, suggesting shared but unknown mechanisms of pathogenesis. Impeding the development of effective treatments for PG is the absence of an animal model that exhibits features of both skin and gut manifestations. This study describes the development of the first experimental drug-induced mouse model of PG with concomitant intestinal inflammation. Topical application of pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors on wounded mouse skin generates skin ulcers enriched in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as well as pro-inflammatory cellular and soluble mediators mimicking human PG. The mice also develop spontaneous intestinal inflammation demonstrated by histologic damage. Further investigations revealed increased circulating low density IL-1β primed neutrophils that undergo enhanced NETosis at inflamed tissue sites supported by an increase in circulatory citrullinated histone 3, a marker of aberrant NET formation. Granulocyte depletion dampens the intestinal inflammation in this model, further supporting the notion that granulocytes contribute to the skin-gut crosstalk in PG mice. We anticipate that this novel murine PG model will enable researchers to probe common disease mechanisms and identify more effective targets for treatment for PG patients with IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samreen Jatana
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - András K. Ponti
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Erin E. Johnson
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, OH, United States
| | - Nancy A. Rebert
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jordyn L. Smith
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Clifton G. Fulmer
- Department of Pathology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Edward V. Maytin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jean-Paul Achkar
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Anthony P. Fernandez
- Department of Pathology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Christine McDonald
- Department of Inflammation & Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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6
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Mohanty S, Kamolvit W, Zambrana S, Gonzales E, Tovi J, Brismar K, Östenson CG, Brauner A. HIF-1 mediated activation of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in type 2 diabetic patients. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 100:101-113. [PMID: 34651203 PMCID: PMC8724101 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02134-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Infections are common in patients with diabetes, but increasing antibiotic resistance hampers successful bacterial clearance and calls for alternative treatment strategies. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is known to influence the innate immune defense and could therefore serve as a possible target. However, the impact of high glucose on HIF-1 has received little attention and merits closer investigation. Here, we show that higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines and CAMP, encoding for the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, LL-37, correlate with HIF-1 in type 2 diabetic patients. Chemical activation of HIF-1 further enhanced LL-37, IL-1β, and IL-8 in human uroepithelial cells exposed to high glucose. Moreover, HIF-1 activation of transurethrally infected diabetic mice resulted in lower bacterial load. Drugs activating HIF-1 could therefore in the future potentially have a therapeutic role in clearing bacteria in diabetic patients with infections where antibiotic treatment failed. Key messages • Mohanty et al. “HIF-1 mediated activation of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in type 2 diabetic patients.” • Our study highlights induction of the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, and strengthening of the innate immunity through hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) in diabetes. • Our key observations are: 1. HIF-1 activation increased LL-37 expression in human urothelial cells treated with high glucose. In line with that, we demonstrated that patients with type 2 diabetes living at high altitude had increased levels of the LL-37. 2. HIF-1 activation increased IL-1β and IL-8 in human uroepithelial cells treated with high glucose concentration. 3. Pharmacological activation of HIF-1 decreased bacterial load in the urinary bladder of mice with hereditary diabetes. • We conclude that enhancing HIF-1 may along with antibiotics in the future contribute to the treatment in selected patient groups where traditional therapy is not possible. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00109-021-02134-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumitra Mohanty
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Witchuda Kamolvit
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Silvia Zambrana
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Area de Farmacologia, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas Y Bioquimicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmaco Bioquimicas, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Eduardo Gonzales
- Area de Farmacologia, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas Y Bioquimicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmaco Bioquimicas, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, La Paz, Bolivia
| | | | - Kerstin Brismar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claes-Göran Östenson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annelie Brauner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden.
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7
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Pyrimidine Biosynthetic Enzyme CAD: Its Function, Regulation, and Diagnostic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910253. [PMID: 34638594 PMCID: PMC8508918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
CAD (Carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, Aspartate transcarbamoylase, and Dihydroorotase) is a multifunctional protein that participates in the initial three speed-limiting steps of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. Over the past two decades, extensive investigations have been conducted to unmask CAD as a central player for the synthesis of nucleic acids, active intermediates, and cell membranes. Meanwhile, the important role of CAD in various physiopathological processes has also been emphasized. Deregulation of CAD-related pathways or CAD mutations cause cancer, neurological disorders, and inherited metabolic diseases. Here, we review the structure, function, and regulation of CAD in mammalian physiology as well as human diseases, and provide insights into the potential to target CAD in future clinical applications.
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8
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Gambichler T, Hessam S, Skrygan M, Bakirtzi M, Kasakovski D, Bechara FG. NOD2 signalling in hidradenitis suppurativa. Clin Exp Dermatol 2021; 46:1488-1494. [PMID: 34056759 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with dysregulated immune responses including altered expression of cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs). AIMS To evaluate the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing (NOD)2 and related factors in HS skin samples and keratinocyte cultures. METHODS We performed real-time PCR for NOD2, receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase (RIP)2, cyclic amine resistance locus (CARL), skin-derived antileukoproteinase (SKALP)/elafin, human β-defensin (hBD)2, LL37, psoriasin and RNAse7 in lesional and nonlesional skin of 19 patients with HS and in keratinocyte cultures [unstimulated, muramyl dipeptide (MDP)-stimulated or Pam2CSK4 (Pam2)-stimulated] from and nonlesional skin. RESULTS We observed significantly elevated mRNA expression for NOD2 (P < 0.01), hBD2 (P = 0.02), RNase7 (P < 0.001), psoriasin (P < 0.01) and SKALP/elafin (P = 0.02) in lesional compared with nonlesional skin. We found a significant correlation between NOD2 mRNA and hBD2 (r = 46; P = 0.04), psoriasin (r = 0.67; P < 0.01) and SKALP/elafin (r = 0.65; P < 0.01). In unstimulated, Pam2-stimulated and MDP-stimulated normal keratinocytes, NOD2, RIP2, CARL and SKALP/elafin expression significantly (P < 0.05) increased from 6 to 48 h, whereas in unstimulated, Pam2-stimulated and MDP-stimulated HS keratinocytes, RIP2, CARL and SKALP/elafin expression significantly (P < 0.05) declined from 6 to 48 h. mRNA expression of NOD2 (unstimulated, Pam2-stimulated, MDP-stimulated), CARL (unstimulated, Pam2-stimulated, MDP-stimulated) and SKALP/elafin (unstimulated, Pam2-stimulated) at 6 h was significantly increased in HS compared with normal keratinocytes. CONCLUSION We have shown for the first time that NOD2 signalling is activated in HS and might contribute to the pathogenesis via induction of AMPs and activation of other pathways such as nuclear factor κB signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Gambichler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - S Hessam
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - M Skrygan
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - M Bakirtzi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - D Kasakovski
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Division of Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg (DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - F G Bechara
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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IMU-838, a Developmental DHODH Inhibitor in Phase II for Autoimmune Disease, Shows Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Efficacy In Vitro. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121394. [PMID: 33291455 PMCID: PMC7762174 DOI: 10.3390/v12121394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demands skillful strategies for novel drug development, drug repurposing and cotreatments, in particular focusing on existing candidates of host-directed antivirals (HDAs). The developmental drug IMU-838, currently being investigated in a phase 2b trial in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, represents an inhibitor of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) with a recently proven antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo. Here, we established an analysis system for assessing the antiviral potency of IMU-838 and DHODH-directed back-up drugs in cultured cell-based infection models. By the use of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunofluorescence, Western blot, in-cell ELISA, viral yield reduction and RT-qPCR methods, we demonstrated the following: (i) IMU-838 and back-ups show anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity at several levels of viral replication, i.e., protein production, double-strand RNA synthesis, and release of infectious virus; (ii) antiviral efficacy in Vero cells was demonstrated in a micromolar range (IMU-838 half-maximal effective concentration, EC50, of 7.6 ± 5.8 µM); (iii) anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity was distinct from cytotoxic effects (half-cytotoxic concentration, CC50, >100 µM); (iv) the drug in vitro potency was confirmed using several Vero lineages and human cells; (v) combination with remdesivir showed enhanced anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity; (vi) vidofludimus, the active determinant of IMU-838, exerted a broad-spectrum activity against a selection of major human pathogenic viruses. These findings strongly suggest that developmental DHODH inhibitors represent promising candidates for use as anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.
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10
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Chen W. Host Innate Immune Responses to Acinetobacter baumannii Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:486. [PMID: 33042864 PMCID: PMC7521131 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a major threat to global public health and is one of the key human pathogens in healthcare (nosocomial and community-acquired)-associated infections. Moreover, A. baumannii rapidly develops resistance to multiple antibiotics and is now globally regarded as a serious multidrug resistant pathogen. There is an urgent need to develop novel vaccines and immunotherapeutics as alternatives to antibiotics for clinical management of A. baumannii infection. However, our knowledge of host immune responses to A. baumannii infection and the identification of novel therapeutic targets are significantly lacking. This review highlights the recent advances and critical gaps in our understanding how A. baumannii interacts with the host innate pattern-recognition receptors, induces a cascade of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine responses, and recruits innate immune effectors (such as neutrophils and macrophages) to the site of infection for effective control of the infection. Such knowledge will facilitate the identification of new targets for the design and development of effective therapeutics and vaccines to fight this emerging threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangxue Chen
- Human Health and Therapeutics (HHT) Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
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11
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Lipowska J, Miks CD, Kwon K, Shuvalova L, Zheng H, Lewiński K, Cooper DR, Shabalin IG, Minor W. Pyrimidine biosynthesis in pathogens - Structures and analysis of dihydroorotases from Yersinia pestis and Vibrio cholerae. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 136:1176-1187. [PMID: 31207330 PMCID: PMC6686667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.05.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway is essential for the proliferation of many pathogens. One of the pathway enzymes, dihydroorotase (DHO), catalyzes the reversible interconversion of N-carbamoyl-l-aspartate to 4,5-dihydroorotate. The substantial difference between bacterial and mammalian DHOs makes it a promising drug target for disrupting bacterial growth and thus an important candidate to evaluate as a response to antimicrobial resistance on a molecular level. Here, we present two novel three-dimensional structures of DHOs from Yersinia pestis (YpDHO), the plague-causing pathogen, and Vibrio cholerae (VcDHO), the causative agent of cholera. The evaluations of these two structures led to an analysis of all available DHO structures and their classification into known DHO types. Comparison of all the DHO active sites containing ligands that are listed in DrugBank was facilitated by a new interactive, structure-comparison and presentation platform. In addition, we examined the genetic context of characterized DHOs, which revealed characteristic patterns for different types of DHOs. We also generated a homology model for DHO from Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lipowska
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Charles Dylan Miks
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Keehwan Kwon
- Infectious Diseases Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Ludmilla Shuvalova
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Heping Zheng
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - David R Cooper
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ivan G Shabalin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases (CSGID), Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Zhang Y, Zhao R, Shi D, Sun S, Ren H, Zhao H, Wu W, Jin L, Sheng J, Shi Y. Characterization of the circulating microbiome in acute-on-chronic liver failure associated with hepatitis B. Liver Int 2019; 39:1207-1216. [PMID: 30864226 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HB-ACLF) may have an increased circulating microbial burden. This study aimed to assess circulating microbial load and composition and to explore the association between the circulating microbiome and both systemic inflammation (SI) and clinical outcome in HB-ACLF. METHODS Plasma from 50 HB-ACLF patients, 23 healthy controls and 25 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (C-LC) was analysed for chemokines/cytokines and bacterial DNA and further analysed by 16S rDNApyrosequencing. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and inferred metagenomics analyses were performed. RESULTS The circulating bacterial DNA was significantly increased in HB-ACLF patients compared to that in the control groups. The overall microbial diversity was significantly decreased in HB-ACLF patients. HB-ACLF patients were enriched with Moraxellaceae, Sulfurovum, Comamonas and Burkholderiaceae but were depleted in Actinobacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus, Alphaproteobacteria, Xanthomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae compared to controls. Network analysis revealed a direct positive correlation between Burkholderiaceae and chemokine IP-10 in HB-ACLF patients. The relative abundance of Prevotellaceae independently predicted 28-day mortality. Inferred functional metagenomics predicted an enrichment of bacteria with genes related to methane, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, pyrimidine, purine and energy metabolism. CONCLUSIONS HB-ACLF patients display increased circulating microbial burden, altered microbiome composition and a shift in microbiome functionality. The alteration in circulating microbiota is associated with SI and clinical outcome in HB-ACLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruihong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ding Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haotang Ren
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linfeng Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jifang Sheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Myszor IT, Parveen Z, Ottosson H, Bergman P, Agerberth B, Strömberg R, Gudmundsson GH. Novel aroylated phenylenediamine compounds enhance antimicrobial defense and maintain airway epithelial barrier integrity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7114. [PMID: 31068616 PMCID: PMC6506505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43350-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aroylated phenylenediamines (APDs) are novel inducers of innate immunity enhancing cathelicidin gene expression in human bronchial epithelial cell lines. Here we present two newly developed APDs and aimed at defining the response and signaling pathways for these compounds with reference to innate immunity and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression. Induction was initially defined with respect to dose and time and compared with the APD Entinostat (MS-275). The induction applies to several innate immunity effectors, indicating that APDs trigger a broad spectrum of antimicrobial responses. The bactericidal effect was shown in an infection model against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by estimating bacteria entering cells. Treatment with a selected APD counteracted Pseudomonas mediated disruption of epithelial integrity. This double action by inducing AMPs and enhancing epithelial integrity for one APD compound is unique and taken as a positive indication for host directed therapy (HDT). The APD effects are mediated through Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation. Utilization of induced innate immunity to fight infections can reduce antibiotic usage, might be effective against multidrug resistant bacteria and is in line with improved stewardship in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona T Myszor
- Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland
| | - Zahida Parveen
- Biomedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland
| | - Håkan Ottosson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, S-14183, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Peter Bergman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, S-14186, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Agerberth
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, S-14186, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, S-14183, Huddinge, Sweden
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