Rhesus θ-defensin-1 (RTD-1) exhibits in vitro and in vivo activity against cystic fibrosis strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Advance in peptide-based drug development: delivery platforms, therapeutics and vaccines

The successful approval of peptide-based drugs can be attributed to a collaborative effort across multiple disciplines. The integration of novel drug design and synthesis techniques, display library technology, delivery systems, bioengineering advancements, and artificial intelligence have significantly expedited the development of groundbreaking peptide-based drugs, effectively addressing the obstacles associated with their character, such as the rapid clearance and degradation, necessitating subcutaneous injection leading to increasing patient discomfort, and ultimately advancing translational research efforts. Peptides are presently employed in the management and diagnosis of a diverse array of medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, weight loss, oncology, and rare diseases, and are additionally garnering interest in facilitating targeted drug delivery platforms and the advancement of peptide-based vaccines. This paper provides an overview of the present market and clinical trial progress of peptide-based therapeutics, delivery platforms, and vaccines. It examines the key areas of research in peptide-based drug development through a literature analysis and emphasizes the structural modification principles of peptide-based drugs, as well as the recent advancements in screening, design, and delivery technologies. The accelerated advancement in the development of novel peptide-based therapeutics, including peptide-drug complexes, new peptide-based vaccines, and innovative peptide-based diagnostic reagents, has the potential to promote the era of precise customization of disease therapeutic schedule.

IL-6 and TIMP-1 Correlated to Airway Pathogen Colonization and Predict Disease Severity in Patients with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Background

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is associated with airway pathogen colonization. We planned to investigate the inflammatory markers in patients with different airway pathogens and their correlation with disease severity.

Methods

We enrolled patients aged between 20 and 75 from October 2021 to August 2022. All patients had sputum evaluation for bacterial and fungal cultures before enrollment, and were classified into four groups according to the culture results.

Results

Forty-four patients with non-CF bronchiectasis and six controls were enrolled and categorized as follows: Group 1, no pathogens identified in sputum cultures (n = 14); Group 2, positive fungal culture results (n = 18); Group 3, positive P. aeruginosa culture results (n = 7); and Group 4, positive culture results for both fungi and P. aeruginosa (n = 5). Group 4 had significantly higher serum defensin α1, IL-6 and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP)-1 levels than group 1 patients. The serum levels of IL-6 and TIMP-1 were positively correlated with the FACED score and negatively correlated with distance-saturation product.

Conclusion

Significantly higher levels of serum IL-6 and TIMP-1 were found in the patients who had concomitant fungal and P. aeruginosa colonization, and were closely related to clinical severity and may have important roles in disease monitoring.

New Antimicrobial Strategies to Treat Multi-Drug Resistant Infections Caused by Gram-Negatives in Cystic Fibrosis

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from recurrent bacterial infections which induce inflammation, lung tissue damage and failure of the respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to combinatorial antibiotic therapies triggers the appearance of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The development of alternative antimicrobial strategies may provide a way to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. Here we discuss different alternative approaches to the use of classic antibiotics: anti-virulence and anti-biofilm compounds which exert a low selective pressure; phage therapies that represent an alternative strategy with a high therapeutic potential; new methods helping antibiotics activity such as adjuvants; and antimicrobial peptides and nanoparticle formulations. Their mechanisms and in vitro and in vivo efficacy are described, in order to figure out a complete landscape of new alternative approaches to fight MDR Gram-negative CF pathogens.

A Fun-Guide to Innate Immune Responses to Fungal Infections

Immunocompromised individuals are at high risk of developing severe fungal infections with high mortality rates, while fungal pathogens pose little risk to most healthy people. Poor therapeutic outcomes and growing antifungal resistance pose further challenges for treatments. Identifying specific immunomodulatory mechanisms exploited by fungal pathogens is critical for our understanding of fungal diseases and development of new therapies. A gap currently exists between the large body of literature concerning the innate immune response to fungal infections and the potential manipulation of host immune responses to aid clearance of infection. This review considers the innate immune mechanisms the host deploys to prevent fungal infection and how these mechanisms fail in immunocompromised hosts. Three clinically relevant fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus spp. and Aspergillus spp.) will be explored. This review will also examine potential mechanisms of targeting the host therapeutically to improve outcomes of fungal infection.

Rational Framework for the Design of Trp- and Arg-Rich Peptide Antibiotics Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

The threat of antibiotic resistance warrants the discovery of agents with novel antimicrobial mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) directly disrupting bacterial membranes may overcome resistance to traditional antibiotics. AMP development for clinical use has been mostly limited to topical application to date. We developed a rational framework for systematically addressing this challenge using libraries composed of 86 novel Trp- and Arg-rich engineered peptides tested against clinical strains of the most common multidrug-resistant bacteria known as ESKAPE pathogens. Structure-function correlations revealed minimum lengths (as low as 16 residues) and Trp positioning for maximum antibacterial potency with mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2–4 μM and corresponding negligible toxicity to mammalian cells. Twelve peptides were selected based on broad-spectrum activity against both gram-negative and -positive bacteria and <25% toxicity to mammalian cells at maximum test concentrations. Most of the selected PAX remained active against the colistin-resistant clinical strains. Of the selected peptides, the shortest (the 16-residue E35) was further investigated for antibacterial mechanism and proof-of-concept in vivo efficacy. E35 killed an extensively-resistant isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA239 from the CDC, also resistant to colistin) by irreversibly disrupting the cell membranes as shown by propidium iodide incorporation, using flow cytometry and live cell imaging. As proof of concept, in vivo toxicity studies showed that mice tolerated a systemic dose of up to 30 mg/kg peptide and were protected with a single 5 mg/kg intravenous (IV) dose against an otherwise lethal intraperitoneal injection of PA239. Efficacy was also demonstrated in an immune-compromised Klebsiella pneumoniae infection model using a daily dose of 4mg/kg E35 systemically for 2 days. This framework defines the determinants of efficacy of helical AMPs composed of only cationic and hydrophobic amino acids and provides a path for a potential departure from the restriction to topical use of AMPs toward systemic application.

Mammals' humoral immune proteins and peptides targeting the bacterial envelope: from natural protection to therapeutic applications against multidrug‐resistant Gram ‐negatives

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.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of RTD-1 in a Murine Model of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection: Inhibition of NF-κB, Inflammasome Gene Expression, and Pro-IL-1β Biosynthesis

Vicious cycles of chronic airway obstruction, lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and neutrophil-dominated inflammation contribute to morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Rhesus theta defensin-1 (RTD-1) is an antimicrobial macrocyclic peptide with immunomodulatory properties. Our objective was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of RTD-1 in a murine model of chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection. Mice received nebulized RTD-1 daily for 6 days. Bacterial burden, leukocyte counts, and cytokine concentrations were evaluated. Microarray analysis was performed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells and lung tissue homogenates. In vitro effects of RTD-1 in THP-1 cells were assessed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, immunoblots, confocal microscopy, enzymatic activity assays, and NF-κB-reporter assays. RTD-1 significantly reduced lung white blood cell counts on days 3 (-54.95%; p = 0.0003) and 7 (-31.71%; p = 0.0097). Microarray analysis of lung tissue homogenates and BALF cells revealed that RTD-1 significantly reduced proinflammatory gene expression, particularly inflammasome-related genes (nod-like receptor protein 3, Mediterranean fever gene, interleukin (IL)-1α, and IL-1β) relative to the control. In vitro studies demonstrated NF-κB activation was reduced two-fold (p ≤ 0.0001) by RTD-1 treatment. Immunoblots revealed that RTD-1 treatment inhibited proIL-1β biosynthesis. Additionally, RTD-1 treatment was associated with a reduction in caspase-1 activation (FC = -1.79; p = 0.0052). RTD-1 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity in chronically infected mice. Importantly, RTD-1 inhibits inflammasome activity, which is possibly a downstream effect of NF-κB modulation. These findings support that this immunomodulatory peptide may be a promising therapeutic for CF-associated lung disease.

Host Defense Peptides as Templates for Antifungal Drug Development

Current treatment for invasive fungal diseases is limited to three classes of antifungal drugs: azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins. The most recently introduced antifungal class, the echinocandins, was first approved nearly 30 years ago. The limited antifungal drug portfolio is rapidly losing its clinical utility due to the inexorable rise in the incidence of invasive fungal infections and the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) fungal pathogens. New antifungal therapeutic agents and novel approaches are desperately needed. Here, we detail attempts to exploit the antifungal and immunoregulatory properties of host defense peptides (HDPs) in the design and evaluation of new antifungal therapeutics and discuss historical limitations and recent advances in this quest.

Considerations and Caveats in Combating ESKAPE Pathogens against Nosocomial Infections

ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) are among the most common opportunistic pathogens in nosocomial infections. ESKAPE pathogens distinguish themselves from normal ones by developing a high level of antibiotic resistance that involves multiple mechanisms. Contemporary therapeutic strategies which are potential options in combating ESKAPE bacteria need further investigation. Herein, a broad overview of the antimicrobial research on ESKAPE pathogens over the past five years is provided with prospective clinical applications.

RTD-1 therapeutically normalizes synovial gene signatures in rat autoimmune arthritis and suppresses proinflammatory mediators in RA synovial fibroblasts

Rhesus theta defensin-1 (RTD-1), a macrocyclic immunomodulatory host defense peptide from Old World monkeys, is therapeutic in pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in rats, a model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RNA-sequence (RNA-Seq) analysis was used to interrogate the changes in gene expression in PIA rats, which identified 617 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PIA synovial tissue of diseased rats. Upstream regulator analysis showed upregulation of gene expression pathways regulated by TNF, IL1B, IL6, proinflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) involved in RA. In contrast, ligand-dependent nuclear receptors like the liver X-receptors NR1H2 and NR1H3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) were downregulated in arthritic synovia. Daily RTD-1 treatment of PIA rats for 1-5 days following disease presentation modulated 340 of the 617 disease genes, and synovial gene expression in PIA rats treated 5 days with RTD-1 closely resembled the gene signature of naive synovium. Systemic RTD-1 inhibited proinflammatory upstream regulators such as TNF, IL1, and IL6 and activated antiarthritic ligand-dependent nuclear receptor pathways, including PPARG, NR1H2, and NR1H3, that were suppressed in untreated PIA rats. RTD-1 also inhibited proinflammatory responses in IL-1β-stimulated human RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in vitro and diminished expression of human orthologs of disease genes that are induced in rat PIA synovium. Thus, the antiarthritic mechanisms of systemic RTD-1 include homeostatic regulation of arthritogenic gene networks in a manner that correlates temporally with clinical resolution of rat PIA.

Rhesus Theta Defensin 1 Promotes Long Term Survival in Systemic Candidiasis by Host Directed Mechanisms

Invasive candidiasis is an increasingly frequent cause of serious and often fatal infections in hospitalized and immunosuppressed patients. Mortality rates associated with these infections have risen sharply due to the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of C. albicans and other Candida spp., highlighting the urgent need of new antifungal therapies. Rhesus theta (θ) defensin-1 (RTD-1), a natural macrocyclic antimicrobial peptide, was recently shown to be rapidly fungicidal against clinical isolates of MDR C. albicans in vitro. Here we found that RTD-1 was rapidly fungicidal against blastospores of fluconazole/caspofungin resistant C. albicans strains, and was active against established C. albicans biofilms in vitro. In vivo, systemic administration of RTD-1, initiated at the time of infection or 24 h post-infection, promoted long term survival in candidemic mice whether infected with drug-sensitive or MDR strains of C. albicans. RTD-1 induced an early (4 h post treatment) increase in neutrophils in naive and infected mice. In vivo efficacy was associated with fungal clearance, restoration of dysregulated inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17, and homeostatic reduction in numbers of circulating neutrophils and monocytes. Because these effects occurred using peptide doses that produced maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax) of less than 1% of RTD-1 levels required for in vitro antifungal activity in 50% mouse serum, while inducing a transient neutrophilia, we suggest that RTD-1 mediates its antifungal effects in vivo by host directed mechanisms rather than direct fungicidal activity. Results of this study suggest that θ-defensins represent a new class of host-directed compounds for treatment of disseminated candidiasis.

Profiling the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from acute and chronic infections to cell-wall-targeting immune proteins

In the current scenario of high antibiotic resistance, the search for therapeutic options against Pseudomonas aeruginosa must be approached from different perspectives: cell-wall biology as source of bacterial weak points and our immune system as source of weapons. Our recent study suggests that once the permeability barrier has been overcome, the activity of our cell-wall-targeting immune proteins is notably enhanced, more in mutants with impaired peptidoglycan recycling. The present work aims at analyzing the activity of these proteins [lysozyme and Peptidoglycan-Recognition-Proteins (PGLYRPs)], alone or with a permeabilizer (subinhibitory colistin) in clinical strains, along with other features related to the cell-wall. We compared the most relevant and complementary scenarios: acute (bacteremia) and chronic infections [early/late isolates from lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients]. Although a low activity of lysozyme/PGLYRPs per se (except punctual highly susceptible strains) was found, the colistin addition significantly increased their activity regardless of the strains’ colistin resistance levels. Our results show increased susceptibility in late CF isolates, suggesting that CF adaptation renders P. aeruginosa more vulnerable to proteins targeting the cell-wall. Thus, our work suggests that attacking some P. aeruginosa cell-wall biology-related elements to increase the activity of our innate weapons could be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Rhesus θ-Defensin-1 Attenuates Endotoxin-induced Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting Proinflammatory Cytokines and Neutrophil Recruitment

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute respiratory failure and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Rhesus θ-defensin (RTD)-1 is an antimicrobial peptide with immunomodulatory activity. As airway inflammation and neutrophil recruitment and activation are hallmarks of ALI, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of RTD-1 in preclinical models of the disease. We investigated the effect of RTD-1 on neutrophil chemotaxis and macrophage-driven pulmonary inflammation with human peripheral neutrophils and LPS-stimulated murine alveolar macrophage (denoted MH-S) cells. Treatment and prophylactic single escalating doses were administered subcutaneously in a well-established murine model of direct endotoxin-induced ALI. We assessed lung injury by histopathology, pulmonary edema, inflammatory cell recruitment, and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in the BAL fluid. In vitro studies demonstrated that RTD-1 suppressed CXCL8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis, TNF-mediated neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion, and proinflammatory cytokine release in activated murine alveolar immortalized macrophages (MH-S) cells. Treatment with RTD-1 significantly inhibited in vivo LPS-induced ALI by reducing pulmonary edema and histopathological changes. Treatment was associated with dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, and IL-6), peroxidase activity, and neutrophil recruitment into the airways. Antiinflammatory effects were demonstrated in animals receiving RTD-1 up to 12 hours after LPS challenge. Notably, subcutaneously administered RTD-1 demonstrates good peptide stability as demonstrated by the long in vivo half-life. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that RTD-1 is efficacious in an experimental model of ALI through inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis and adhesion, and the attenuation of proinflammatory cytokines and gene expression from alveolar macrophages.

Fungicidal Potency and Mechanisms of θ-Defensins against Multidrug-Resistant Candida Species

Systemic candidiasis is a growing health care concern that is becoming even more challenging due to the growing frequency of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Candida species. Thus, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches to candidiasis, including strategies bioinspired by insights into natural host defense against fungal pathogens. The antifungal properties of θ-defensins, macrocyclic peptides expressed in tissues of Old World monkeys, were investigated against a panel of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species. Rhesus θ-defensin 1 (RTD-1), the prototype θ-defensin, was rapidly and potently fungicidal against drug-sensitive and MDR C. albicans strains. Fungal killing occurred by cell permeabilization that was temporally correlated with ATP release and intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Killing by RTD-1 was compared with that by histatin 5 (Hst 5), an extensively characterized anticandidal peptide expressed in human saliva. RTD-1 killed C. albicans much more rapidly and at a >200-fold lower concentration than that of Hst 5. Unlike Hst 5, the anticandidal activity of RTD-1 was independent of mitochondrial ATP production. Moreover, RTD-1 was completely resistant to Candida proteases for 2 h under conditions that rapidly and completely degraded Hst 5. MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of 14 natural θ-defensins isoforms against drug-resistant C. albicans isolates identified peptides that are more active than amphotericin B and/or caspofungin against fluconazole-resistant organisms, including MDR Candida auris. These results point to the potential of macrocyclic θ-defensins as structural templates for the design of antifungal therapeutics.

Perspectives for clinical use of engineered human host defense antimicrobial peptides

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi are among the leading causes of death worldwide. The emergence of drug-resistance mechanisms, especially among bacteria, threatens the efficacy of all current antimicrobial agents, some of them already ineffective. As a result, there is an urgent need for new antimicrobial drugs. Host defense antimicrobial peptides (HDPs) are natural occurring and well-conserved peptides of innate immunity, broadly active against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, viruses and fungi. They also are able to exert immunomodulatory and adjuvant functions by acting as chemotactic for immune cells, and inducing cytokines and chemokines secretion. Moreover, they show low propensity to elicit microbial adaptation, probably because of their non-specific mechanism of action, and are able to neutralize exotoxins and endotoxins. HDPs have the potential to be a great source of novel antimicrobial agents. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the advances made in the development of human defensins as well as the cathelicidin LL-37 and their derivatives as antimicrobial agents against bacteria, viruses and fungi for clinical use.

The Role of Defensins in HIV Pathogenesis

Profound loss of CD4⁺ T cells, progressive impairment of the immune system, inflammation, and sustained immune activation are the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Innate immune responses respond immediately from the day of HIV infection, and a thorough understanding of the interaction between several innate immune cells and HIV-1 is essential to determine to what extent those cells play a crucial role in controlling HIV-1 in vivo. Defensins, divided into the three subfamilies α-, β-, and θ-defensins based on structure and disulfide linkages, comprise a critical component of the innate immune response and exhibit anti-HIV-1 activities and immunomodulatory capabilities. In humans, only α- and β-defensins are expressed in various tissues and have broad impacts on HIV-1 transmission, replication, and disease progression. θ-defensins have been identified as functional peptides in Old World monkeys, but not in humans. Instead, θ-defensins exist only as pseudogenes in humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. The use of the synthetic θ-defensin peptide “retrocyclin” as an antiviral therapy was shown to be promising, and further research into the development of defensin-based HIV-1 therapeutics is needed. This review focuses on the role of defensins in HIV-1 pathogenesis and highlights future research efforts that warrant investigation.

Efficacy of Rhesus Theta-Defensin-1 in Experimental Models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection and Inflammation

Chronic airway infection and inflammation contribute to the progressive loss of lung function and shortened survival of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Rhesus theta defensin-1 (RTD-1) is a macrocyclic host defense peptide with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Combined with favorable preclinical safety and peptide stability data, RTD-1 warrants investigation to determine its therapeutic potential for treatment of CF lung disease. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic potential of RTD-1 for CF airway infection and inflammation using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models. We evaluated RTD-1's effects on basal and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced inflammation in CF sputum leukocytes and CF bronchial epithelial cells. Peptide stability was evaluated by incubation with CF sputum. Airway pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerance studies were performed in naive mice. Aerosolized RTD-1 treatment effects were assessed by analyzing lung bacterial burdens and airway inflammation using an established model of chronic P. aeruginosa endobronchial infection in CF (ΔF508) mice. RTD-1 directly reduces metalloprotease activity, as well as inflammatory cytokine secretion from CF airway leukocyte and bronchial epithelial cells. Intrapulmonary safety, tolerability, and stability data support the aerosol administration route. RTD-1 reduced the bacterial lung burden, airway neutrophils, and inflammatory cytokines in CF mice with chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection. Collectively, these studies support further development of RTD-1 for treatment of CF airway disease.

Cystic fibrosis lung environment and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Background

The airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are highly complex, subject to various environmental conditions as well as a distinct microbiota. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recognized as one of the most important pulmonary pathogens and the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in CF. A multifarious interplay between the host, pathogens, microbiota, and the environment shapes the course of the disease. There have been several excellent reviews detailing CF pathology, Pseudomonas and the role of environment in CF but only a few reviews connect these entities with regards to influence on the overall course of the disease. A holistic understanding of contributing factors is pertinent to inform new research and therapeutics.

Discussion

In this article, we discuss the deterministic alterations in lung physiology as a result of CF. We also revisit the impact of those changes on the microbiota, with special emphasis on P. aeruginosa and the influence of other non-genetic factors on CF. Substantial past and current research on various genetic and non-genetic aspects of cystic fibrosis has been reviewed to assess the effect of different factors on CF pulmonary infection. A thorough review of contributing factors in CF and the alterations in lung physiology indicate that CF lung infection is multi-factorial with no isolated cause that should be solely targeted to control disease progression. A combinatorial approach may be required to ensure better disease outcomes.

Conclusion

CF lung infection is a complex disease and requires a broad multidisciplinary approach to improve CF disease outcomes. A holistic understanding of the underlying mechanisms and non-genetic contributing factors in CF is central to development of new and targeted therapeutic strategies.

A synthetic antimicrobial peptide BTD-S expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana confers enhanced resistance to Verticillium dahliae

BTD-S is a synthetic non-cyclic θ-defensin derivative which was previously designed in our laboratory based on baboon θ-defensins (BTDs). It shows robust antimicrobial activity against economically important phytopathogen, Verticillium dahliae. Here, we deduced the coding nucleotide sequence of BTD-S and introduced the gene into wild-type (ecotype Columbia-0) Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Results demonstrated that BTD-S-transgenic lines displayed in bioassays inhibitory effects on the growth of V. dahliae in vivo and in vitro. Based on symptom severity, enhanced resistance was found in a survey of BTD-S-transgenic lines. Besides, crude protein extracts from root tissues of BTD-S-transformed plants significantly restricted the growth of fungal hyphae and the germination of conidia. Also, fungal biomass over time determined by real-time PCR demonstrated the overgrowth of V. dahliae in wild-type plants 2-3 weeks after inoculation, while almost no fungal DNA was detected in aerial tissues of their transgenic progenitors. The result suggested that fungus failed to invade and progress acropetally up to establish a systemic infection in BTD-S-transgenic plants. Moreover, the assessment of basal defense responses was performed in the leaves of WT and BTD-S-transgenic plants. The mitigated oxidative stress and low antioxidase level in BTD-S-transgenic plants revealed that BTD-S acts via permeabilizing target microbial membranes, which is in a category different from hypersensitive response-dependent defense. Taken together, our results demonstrate that BTD-S is a promising gene to be explored for transgenic engineering for plant protection against Verticillium wilt.