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Habjan E, Schouten GK, Speer A, van Ulsen P, Bitter W. Diving into drug-screening: zebrafish embryos as an in vivo platform for antimicrobial drug discovery and assessment. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2024; 48:fuae011. [PMID: 38684467 PMCID: PMC11078164 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria underlines the need for innovative treatments, yet the introduction of new drugs has stagnated despite numerous antimicrobial discoveries. A major hurdle is a poor correlation between promising in vitro data and in vivo efficacy in animal models, which is essential for clinical development. Early in vivo testing is hindered by the expense and complexity of existing animal models. Therefore, there is a pressing need for cost-effective, rapid preclinical models with high translational value. To overcome these challenges, zebrafish embryos have emerged as an attractive model for infectious disease studies, offering advantages such as ethical alignment, rapid development, ease of maintenance, and genetic manipulability. The zebrafish embryo infection model, involving microinjection or immersion of pathogens and potential antibiotic hit compounds, provides a promising solution for early-stage drug screening. It offers a cost-effective and rapid means of assessing the efficacy, toxicity and mechanism of action of compounds in a whole-organism context. This review discusses the experimental design of this model, but also its benefits and challenges. Additionally, it highlights recently identified compounds in the zebrafish embryo infection model and discusses the relevance of the model in predicting the compound's clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Habjan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gina K Schouten
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Speer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van Ulsen
- Section Molecular Microbiology of A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center,De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Section Molecular Microbiology of A-LIFE, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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2
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Nonarath HJT, Jackson MA, Penoske RM, Zahrt TC, Price NPJ, Link BA. The tunicamycin derivative TunR2 exhibits potent antibiotic properties with low toxicity in an in vivo Mycobacterium marinum-zebrafish TB infection model. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2024; 77:245-256. [PMID: 38238588 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-023-00694-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Tunicamycins (TUN) are well-defined, Streptomyces-derived natural products that inhibit protein N-glycosylation in eukaryotes, and by a conserved mechanism also block bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. TUN inhibits the polyprenylphosphate-N-acetyl-hexosamine-1-phospho-transferases (PNPT), an essential family of enzymes found in both bacteria and eukaryotes. We have previously published the development of chemically modified TUN, called TunR1 and TunR2, that have considerably reduced activity on eukaryotes but that retain the potent antibacterial properties. A mechanism for this reduced toxicity has also been reported. TunR1 and TunR2 have been tested against mammalian cell lines in culture and against live insect cells but, until now, no in vivo evaluation has been undertaken for vertebrates. In the current work, TUN, TunR1, and TunR2 are investigated for their relative toxicity and antimycobacterial activity in zebrafish using a well-established Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) infection system, a model for studying human Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. We also report the relative ability to activate the unfolded protein response (UPR), the known mechanism for the eukaryotic toxicity observed with TUN treatment. Importantly, TunR1 and TunR2 retained their antimicrobial properties, as evidenced by a reduction in M. marinum bacterial burden, compared to DMSO-treated zebrafish. In summary, findings from this study highlight the characteristics of recently developed TUN derivatives, mainly TunR2, and its potential for use as a novel anti-bacterial agent for veterinary and potential medical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J T Nonarath
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Michael A Jackson
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Renewable Products Technology Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL, 61604, USA
| | - Renee M Penoske
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Thomas C Zahrt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Neil P J Price
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Renewable Products Technology Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL, 61604, USA.
| | - Brian A Link
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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Gao Y, Li J, Guo X, Guan L, Wang J, Huang X, Wang W, Yang H. L-Tyrosine Limits Mycobacterial Survival in Tuberculous Granuloma. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050654. [PMID: 37242324 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Caused by the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), tuberculosis (TB) remains a massive global public health issue. A well-known and key TB trait is caseous necrotic granuloma, which allows mycobacteria to reactivate and disseminate, thus confounding TB eradication programs. Amino acid (AA) metabolism is key to regulating immune responses in Mtb infections; however, it is currently unclear if AAs can be used to treat tuberculous granulomas. Here, we screened 20 proteinogenic AAs using a Mycobacterium marinum-infected zebrafish granuloma model. Only L-tyrosine simultaneously reduced Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) levels in zebrafish larvae and adults and inhibited intracellular pathogen survival levels. Mechanistically, L-tyrosine significantly upregulated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression in M. marinum -infected zebrafish adults but not in larvae. Using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS), L-tyrosine appeared to inhibit Mtb intracellular survival by promoting ROS production. Thus, L-tyrosine as a non-essential AA may reduce mycobacterial survival in both macrophages and tuberculous granulomas. Our research provides a platform for the clinical development of AAs for active or latent TB patients infected with drug-sensitive or drug-resistant Mtb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxian Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550000, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiaqing Li
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550000, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xinya Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Liru Guan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xiaochen Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550000, China
| | - Hua Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550000, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China
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Zheng L, Qi X, Zhang W, Wang H, Fu L, Wang B, Chen X, Chen X, Lu Y. Efficacy of PBTZ169 and pretomanid against Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium chelonae, and Mycobacterium fortuitum in BALB/c mice models. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1115530. [PMID: 37077530 PMCID: PMC10106926 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1115530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the activity of PBTZ169 and pretomanid against non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM) in vitro and in vivo.MethodsThe minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 11 antibiotics, against slow-growing mycobacteria (SGMs) and rapid-growing mycobacteria (RGMs) were tested using the microplate alamarBlue assay. The in vivo activities of bedaquiline, clofazimine, moxifloxacin, rifabutin, PBTZ169 and pretomanid against four common NTMs were assessed in murine models.ResultsPBTZ169 and pretomanid had MICs of >32 μg/mL against most NTM reference and clinical strains. However, PBTZ169 was bactericidal against Mycobacterium abscessus (3.33 and 1.49 log10 CFU reductions in the lungs and spleen, respectively) and Mycobacterium chelonae (2.29 and 2.24 CFU reductions in the lungs and spleen, respectively) in mice, and bacteriostatic against Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium fortuitum. Pretomanid dramatically decreased the CFU counts of M. abscessus (3.12 and 2.30 log10 CFU reductions in the lungs and spleen, respectively), whereas it showed moderate inhibition of M. chelonae and M. fortuitum. Bedaquiline, clofazimine, and moxifloxacin showed good activities against four NTMs in vitro and in vivo. Rifabutin did not inhibit M. avium and M. abscessus in mice.ConclusionPBTZ169 appears to be a candidate for treating four common NTM infections. Pretomanid was more active against M. abscessus, M. chelonae and M. fortuitum than against M. avium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueting Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyou Chen
- Tuberculosis Department, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Infectious Diseases Department, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Lu, ; Xiaoyou Chen,
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Resistance Tuberculosis Research, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Lu, ; Xiaoyou Chen,
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Dal NJK, Schäfer G, Thompson AM, Schmitt S, Redinger N, Alonso-Rodriguez N, Johann K, Ojong J, Wohlmann J, Best A, Koynov K, Zentel R, Schaible UE, Griffiths G, Barz M, Fenaroli F. Π-Π interactions stabilize PeptoMicelle-based formulations of Pretomanid derivatives leading to promising therapy against tuberculosis in zebrafish and mouse models. J Control Release 2023; 354:851-868. [PMID: 36681282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis is the deadliest bacterial disease globally, threatening the lives of millions every year. New antibiotic therapies that can shorten the duration of treatment, improve cure rates, and impede the development of drug resistance are desperately needed. Here, we used polymeric micelles to encapsulate four second-generation derivatives of the antitubercular drug pretomanid that had previously displayed much better in vivo activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis than pretomanid itself. Because these compounds were relatively hydrophobic and had limited bioavailability, we expected that their micellar formulations would overcome these limitations, reduce toxicities, and improve therapeutic outcomes. The polymeric micelles were based on polypept(o)ides (PeptoMicelles) and were stabilized in their hydrophobic core by π-π interactions, allowing the efficient encapsulation of aromatic pretomanid derivatives. The stability of these π-π-stabilized PeptoMicelles was demonstrated in water, blood plasma, and lung surfactant by fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and was further supported by prolonged circulation times of several days in the vasculature of zebrafish larvae. The most efficacious PeptoMicelle formulation tested in the zebrafish larvae infection model almost completely eradicated the bacteria at non-toxic doses. This lead formulation was further assessed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the susceptible C3HeB/FeJ mouse model, which develops human-like necrotic granulomas. Following intravenous administration, the drug-loaded PeptoMicelles significantly reduced bacterial burden and inflammatory responses in the lungs and spleens of infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils-Jørgen K Dal
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gabriela Schäfer
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew M Thompson
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Sascha Schmitt
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Natalja Redinger
- Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Program Area Infections, Div. Cellular Microbiology; University of Lübeck, Immunochemistry and Biochemical Microbiology, & German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | | | - Kerstin Johann
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jessica Ojong
- Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Program Area Infections, Div. Cellular Microbiology; University of Lübeck, Immunochemistry and Biochemical Microbiology, & German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Jens Wohlmann
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas Best
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Kaloian Koynov
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rudolf Zentel
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich E Schaible
- Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum, Program Area Infections, Div. Cellular Microbiology; University of Lübeck, Immunochemistry and Biochemical Microbiology, & German Center for Infection Research, partner site Hamburg-Lübeck - Borstel - Riems, 23845 Borstel, Germany
| | - Gareth Griffiths
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Matthias Barz
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Federico Fenaroli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindernveien 31, 0371 Oslo, Norway; Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway.
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Cadelis MM, Li SA, van de Pas SJ, Grey A, Mulholland D, Weir BS, Copp BR, Wiles S. Antimicrobial Natural Products from Plant Pathogenic Fungi. Molecules 2023; 28:1142. [PMID: 36770808 PMCID: PMC9920077 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031142] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Isolates of a variety of fungal plant pathogens (Alternaria radicina ICMP 5619, Cercospora beticola ICMP 15907, Dactylonectria macrodidyma ICMP 16789, D. torresensis ICMP 20542, Ilyonectria europaea ICMP 16794, and I. liriodendra ICMP 16795) were screened for antimicrobial activity against the human pathogenic bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium abscessus, and M. marinum and were found to have some activity. Investigation of the secondary metabolites of these fungal isolates led to the isolation of ten natural products (1-10) of which one was novel, (E)-4,7-dihydroxyoct-2-enoic acid (1). Structure elucidation of all natural products was achieved by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. We also investigated the antimicrobial activity of a number of the isolated natural products. While we did not find (E)-4,7-dihydroxyoct-2-enoic acid (1) to have any activity against the bacteria and fungi in our assays, we did find that cercosporin (7) exhibited potent activity against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), dehydro-curvularin (6) and radicicol (10) exhibited antimycobacterial activity against M. marinum, and brefeldin A (8) and radicicol (10) exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Investigation of the cytotoxicity and haemolytic activities of these natural products (6-8 and 10) found that only one of the four active compounds, radicicol (10), was non-cytotoxic and non-haemolytic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M. Cadelis
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Steven A. Li
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Shara J. van de Pas
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Alex Grey
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Mulholland
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Bevan S. Weir
- Manaaki Whenua—Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Brent R. Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Siouxsie Wiles
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence in Complex Systems, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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Cadelis M, Grey A, van de Pas S, Geese S, Weir BS, Copp B, Wiles S. Terrien, a metabolite made by Aspergillus terreus, has activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14239. [PMID: 36275475 PMCID: PMC9586122 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial compounds, including antibiotics, have been a cornerstone of modern medicine being able to both treat infections and prevent infections in at-risk people, including those who are immune-compromised and those undergoing routine surgical procedures. Their intense use, including in people, animals, and plants, has led to an increase in the incidence of resistant bacteria and fungi, resulting in a desperate need for novel antimicrobial compounds with new mechanisms of action. Many antimicrobial compounds in current use originate from microbial sources, such as penicillin from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum (renamed by some as P. rubens). Through a collaboration with Aotearoa New Zealand Crown Research Institute Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research we have access to a collection of thousands of fungal cultures known as the International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants (ICMP). The ICMP contains both known and novel species which have not been extensively tested for their antimicrobial activity. Initial screening of ICMP isolates for activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus directed our interest towards ICMP 477, an isolate of the soil-inhabiting fungus, Aspergillus terreus. In our investigation of the secondary metabolites of A. terreus, through extraction, fractionation, and purification, we isolated nine known natural products. We evaluated the biological activity of selected compounds against various bacteria and fungi and discovered that terrein (1) has potent activity against the important human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Cadelis
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand,Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alex Grey
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Shara van de Pas
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Soeren Geese
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bevan S. Weir
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Brent Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Siouxsie Wiles
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Abstract
Given the low treatment success rates of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), novel TB drugs are urgently needed. The landscape of TB treatment has changed considerably over the last decade with the approval of three new compounds: bedaquiline, delamanid and pretomanid. Of these, delamanid and pretomanid belong to the same class of drugs, the nitroimidazoles. In order to close the knowledge gap on how delamanid and pretomanid compare with each other, we summarize the main findings from preclinical research on these two compounds. We discuss the compound identification, mechanism of action, drug resistance, in vitro activity, in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles, and preclinical in vivo activity and efficacy. Although delamanid and pretomanid share many similarities, several differences could be identified. One finding of particular interest is that certain Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates have been described that are resistant to either delamanid or pretomanid, but with preserved susceptibility to the other compound. This might imply that delamanid and pretomanid could replace one another in certain regimens. Regarding bactericidal activity, based on in vitro and preclinical in vivo activity, delamanid has lower MICs and higher mycobacterial load reductions at lower drug concentrations and doses compared with pretomanid. However, when comparing in vivo preclinical bactericidal activity at dose levels equivalent to currently approved clinical doses based on drug exposure, this difference in activity between the two compounds fades. However, it is important to interpret these comparative results with caution knowing the variability inherent in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia E. Mudde
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | | | - Anne Lenaerts
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Hannelore I. Bax
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jurriaan E. M. De Steenwinkel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Knudsen Dal NJ, Speth M, Johann K, Barz M, Beauvineau C, Wohlmann J, Fenaroli F, Gicquel B, Griffiths G, Alonso-Rodriguez N. The zebrafish embryo as an in vivo model for screening nanoparticle-formulated lipophilic anti-tuberculosis compounds. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:dmm049147. [PMID: 34842273 PMCID: PMC8807572 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing emergence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, new and effective antibiotics against tuberculosis (TB) are urgently needed. However, the high frequency of poorly water-soluble compounds among hits in high-throughput drug screening campaigns is a major obstacle in drug discovery. Moreover, in vivo testing using conventional animal TB models, such as mice, is time consuming and costly, and represents a major bottleneck in lead compound discovery and development. Here, we report the use of the zebrafish embryo TB model for evaluating the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of five poorly water-soluble nitronaphthofuran derivatives, which were recently identified as possessing anti-TB activity in vitro. To aid solubilization, compounds were formulated in biocompatible polymeric micelles (PMs). Three of the five PM-formulated nitronaphthofuran derivatives showed low toxicity in vivo, significantly reduced bacterial burden and improved survival in infected zebrafish embryos. We propose the zebrafish embryo TB-model as a quick and sensitive tool for evaluating the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of new anti-TB compounds during early stages of drug development. Thus, this model is well suited for pinpointing promising compounds for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils-Jørgen Knudsen Dal
- Department Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Speth
- Department Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kerstin Johann
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Barz
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claire Beauvineau
- Chemical Library Institut Curie/CNRS, CNRS UMR9187, INSERM U1196 and CNRS UMR3666, INSERM U1193, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Jens Wohlmann
- Department Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Federico Fenaroli
- Department Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Brigitte Gicquel
- Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Dep Génomes and Génétique, Institute Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
- Department of Tuberculosis Control and Prevention, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, 518054 Shenzhen, China
| | - Gareth Griffiths
- Department Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | - Noelia Alonso-Rodriguez
- Department Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
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10
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Cadelis MM, Nipper NSL, Grey A, Geese S, van de Pas SJ, Weir BS, Copp BR, Wiles S. Antimicrobial Polyketide Metabolites from Penicillium bissettii and P. glabrum. Molecules 2021; 27:240. [PMID: 35011473 PMCID: PMC8746583 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Screening of several fungi from the New Zealand International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants identified two strains of Penicillium, P. bissettii and P. glabrum, which exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Further investigation into the natural products of the fungi, through extraction and fractionation, led to the isolation of five known polyketide metabolites, penicillic acid (1), citromycetin (2), penialdin A (3), penialdin F (4), and myxotrichin B (5). Semi-synthetic derivatization of 1 led to the discovery of a novel dihydro (1a) derivative that provided evidence for the existence of the much-speculated open-chained form of 1. Upon investigation of the antimicrobial activities of the natural products and derivatives, both penicillic acid (1) and penialdin F (4) were found to inhibit the growth of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Penialdin F (4) was also found to have some inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium abscessus and M. marinum along with citromycetin (2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M. Cadelis
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (N.S.L.N.); (B.R.C.)
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (S.J.v.d.P.)
| | - Natasha S. L. Nipper
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (N.S.L.N.); (B.R.C.)
| | - Alex Grey
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (S.J.v.d.P.)
| | - Soeren Geese
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (S.J.v.d.P.)
| | - Shara J. van de Pas
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (S.J.v.d.P.)
| | - Bevan S. Weir
- Manaaki Whenua, Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Brent R. Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (N.S.L.N.); (B.R.C.)
| | - Siouxsie Wiles
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (S.J.v.d.P.)
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11
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Varela M, Meijer AH. A fresh look at mycobacterial pathogenicity with the zebrafish host model. Mol Microbiol 2021; 117:661-669. [PMID: 34714579 PMCID: PMC9297993 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish has earned its place among animal models to study tuberculosis and other infections caused by pathogenic mycobacteria. This model host is especially useful to study the role of granulomas, the inflammatory lesions characteristic of mycobacterial disease. The optically transparent zebrafish larvae provide a window on the initial stages of granuloma development in the context of innate immunity. Application of fluorescent dyes and transgenic markers enabled real-time visualization of how innate immune mechanisms, such as autophagy and inflammasomes, are activated in infected macrophages and how propagating calcium signals drive communication between macrophages during granuloma formation. A combination of imaging, genetic, and chemical approaches has revealed that the interplay between macrophages and mycobacteria is the main driver of tissue dissemination and granuloma development, while neutrophils have a protective function in early granulomas. Different chemokine signaling axes, conserved between humans and zebrafish, have been shown to recruit macrophages permissive to mycobacterial growth, control their microbicidal capacity, drive their spreading and aggregation, and mediate granuloma vascularization. Finally, zebrafish larvae are now exploited to explore cell death processes, emerging as crucial factors in granuloma expansion. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of mycobacterial pathogenesis contributed by zebrafish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Varela
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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12
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Habjan E, Ho VQT, Gallant J, Van Stempvoort G, Jim KK, Kuijl C, Geerke DP, Bitter W, Speer A. Anti-tuberculosis Compound Screen using a Zebrafish Infection Model identifies an Aspartyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibitor. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:273850. [PMID: 34643222 PMCID: PMC8713996 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Finding new anti-tuberculosis compounds with convincing in vivo activity is an ongoing global challenge to fight the emergence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. In this study, we exploited the medium-throughput capabilities of the zebrafish embryo infection model with Mycobacterium marinum as a surrogate for M. tuberculosis. Using a representative set of clinically established drugs, we demonstrate that this model could be predictive and selective for antibiotics that can be administered orally. We further used the zebrafish infection model to screen 240 compounds from an anti-tuberculosis hit library for their in vivo activity and identified 14 highly active compounds. One of the most active compounds was the tetracyclic compound TBA161, which was studied in more detail. Analysis of resistant mutants revealed point mutations in aspS (rv2572c), encoding an aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. The target was genetically confirmed, and molecular docking studies propose the possible binding of TBA161 in a pocket adjacent to the catalytic site. This study shows that the zebrafish infection model is suitable for rapidly identifying promising scaffolds with in vivo activity. Summary: Exploitation of the medium-throughput capabilities of a zebrafish embryo infection model of tuberculosis to screen compounds for their in vivo activity, one of which was characterized as an aspartyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Habjan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Section Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vien Q T Ho
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James Gallant
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gunny Van Stempvoort
- Section Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kin Ki Jim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coen Kuijl
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daan P Geerke
- Department of Molecular Toxicology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Bitter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Section Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Speer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Grey ABJ, Cadelis MM, Diao Y, Park D, Lumley T, Weir BS, Copp BR, Wiles S. Screening of Fungi for Antimycobacterial Activity Using a Medium-Throughput Bioluminescence-Based Assay. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:739995. [PMID: 34552577 PMCID: PMC8450596 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.739995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a real and urgent need for new antibiotics able to kill Mycobacteria, acid-fast bacilli capable of causing multiple deadly diseases. These include members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, which causes the lung disease tuberculosis (TB) as well as non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) a growing cause of lung, skin, soft tissue, and other infections. Here we describe a medium-throughput bioluminescence-based pipeline to screen fungi for activity against Mycobacteria using the NTM species Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium marinum. We used this pipeline to screen 36 diverse fungal isolates from the International Collection of Microorganisms from Plants (ICMP) grown on a wide variety of nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor media and discovered that almost all the tested isolates produced considerable anti-mycobacterial activity. Our data also provides strong statistical evidence for the impact of growth media on antibacterial activity. Chemical extraction and fractionation of a subset of the ICMP isolates revealed that much of the activity we observed may be due to the production of the known anti-mycobacterial compound linoleic acid. However, we have identified several ICMP isolates that retained their anti-mycobacterial activity in non-linoleic acid containing fractions. These include isolates of Lophodermium culmigenum, Pseudaegerita viridis, and Trametes coccinea, as well as an unknown species of Boeremia and an isolate of an unknown genus and species in the family Phanerochaetaceae. Investigations are ongoing to identify the sources of their anti-mycobacterial activity and to determine whether any may be due to the production of novel bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B J Grey
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Melissa M Cadelis
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yiwei Diao
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Duckchul Park
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Lumley
- Department of Statistics, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bevan S Weir
- Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Brent R Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Siouxsie Wiles
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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In Vitro Profiling of Antitubercular Compounds by Rapid, Efficient, and Nondestructive Assays Using Autoluminescent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e0028221. [PMID: 34097493 PMCID: PMC8284454 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00282-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-infective drug discovery is greatly facilitated by the availability of in vitro assays that are more proficient at predicting the preclinical success of screening hits. Tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery is hindered by the relatively slow growth rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the use of whole-cell-based in vitro assays that are inherently time-consuming, and for these reasons, rapid, noninvasive bioluminescence-based assays have been widely used in anti-TB drug discovery and development. In this study, in vitro assays that employ autoluminescent M. tuberculosis were optimized to determine MIC, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill curves, activity against macrophage internalized M. tuberculosis (90% effective concentration [EC90]), and postantibiotic effect (PAE) to provide rapid and dynamic biological information. Standardization of the luminescence-based MIC, MBC, time-kill, EC90, and PAE assays was accomplished by comparing results of established TB drugs and two ClpC1-targeting TB leads, ecumicin and rufomycin, to those obtained from conventional assays and/or to previous studies. Cumulatively, the use of the various streamlined luminescence-based in vitro assays has reduced the time for comprehensive in vitro profiling (MIC, MBC, time-kill, EC90, and PAE) by 2 months. The luminescence-based in vitro MBC and EC90 assays yield time and concentration-dependent kill information that can be used for pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling. The MBC and EC90 time-kill graphs revealed a significantly more rapid bactericidal activity for ecumicin than rufomycin. The PAEs of both ecumicin and rufomycin were comparable to that of the first-line TB drug rifampin. The optimization of several nondestructive, luminescence-based TB assays facilitates the in vitro profiling of TB drug leads in an efficient manner.
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15
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Cadelis MM, Gordon H, Grey A, Geese S, Mulholland DR, Weir BS, Copp BR, Wiles S. Isolation of a Novel Polyketide from Neodidymelliopsis sp. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113235. [PMID: 34072211 PMCID: PMC8199022 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi have become an invaluable source of bioactive natural products, with more than 5 million species of fungi spanning the globe. Fractionation of crude extract of Neodidymelliopsis sp., led to the isolation of a novel polyketide, (2Z)-cillifuranone (1) and five previously reported natural products, (2E)-cillifuranone (2), taiwapyrone (3), xylariolide D (4), pachybasin (5), and N-(5-hydroxypentyl)acetamide (6). It was discovered that (2Z)-cillifuranone (1) was particularly sensitive to ambient temperature and light resulting in isomerisation to (2E)-cillifuranone (2). Structure elucidation of all the natural products were conducted by NMR spectroscopic techniques. The antimicrobial activity of 2, 3, and 5 were evaluated against a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens. A sodium [1-13C] acetate labelling study was conducted on Neodidymelliopsis sp. and confirmed that pachybasin is biosynthesised through the acetate polyketide pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M. Cadelis
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (H.G.); (B.R.C.)
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (D.R.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.C.); (S.W.)
| | - Hugo Gordon
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (H.G.); (B.R.C.)
| | - Alex Grey
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (D.R.M.)
| | - Soeren Geese
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (D.R.M.)
| | - Daniel R. Mulholland
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (D.R.M.)
| | - Bevan S. Weir
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Brent R. Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (H.G.); (B.R.C.)
| | - Siouxsie Wiles
- Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; (A.G.); (S.G.); (D.R.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.C.); (S.W.)
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16
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Subhash N, Sundaramurthy V. Advances in host-based screening for compounds with intracellular anti-mycobacterial activity. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13337. [PMID: 33813790 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens interact with host systems in intimate ways to sustain a pathogenic lifestyle. Consequently, these interactions can potentially be targets of host-directed interventions against infectious diseases. In case of tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), while effective anti-tubercular compounds are available, the long treatment duration and emerging drug resistance necessitate identification of new class of molecules with anti-TB activity, as well as new treatment strategies. A significant part of the effort in finding new anti-TB drugs is focused on bacterial targets in bacterial systems. However, the host environment plays a major role in pathogenesis mechanisms and must be considered actively in these efforts. On the one hand, the bacterial origin targets must be relevant and accessible in the host, while on the other hand, new host origin targets required for the bacterial survival can be targeted. Such targets are good candidates for host-directed therapeutics, a strategy gaining traction as an adjunct in TB treatment. In this review, we will summarise the screening platforms used to identify compounds with anti-tubercular activities inside different host environments and outline recent technical advances in these platforms. Finally, while the examples given are specific to mycobacteria, the methods and principles outlined are broadly applicable to most intracellular infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraja Subhash
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India.,SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
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17
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Heterologous Expression of ethA and katG in Mycobacterium marinum Enables the Rapid Identification of New Prodrugs Active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:AAC.01445-20. [PMID: 33495223 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01445-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Screening strategies for antituberculosis compounds using Mycobacterium tuberculosis are time consuming and require biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facilities, which makes the development of high-throughput assays difficult and expensive. Mycobacterium marinum, a close genetic relative of M. tuberculosis, possesses several advantages as a suitable model for tuberculosis drug screening. However, despite the high genetic similarity, there are some obvious differences in susceptibility to some tuberculosis drugs between these two species, especially for the prodrugs ethionamide and isoniazid. In this study, we aimed to improve M. marinum as a model for antituberculosis drug identification by heterologous expression of two common drug activators, EthA and KatG. These two activators were overexpressed in M. marinum, and the strains were tested against ethionamide, isoniazid, and a library of established antimycobacterial compounds from TB Alliance to compare drug susceptibility. Both in vitro and in vivo using zebrafish larvae, these genetically modified M. marinum strains showed significantly higher susceptibility against ethionamide and isoniazid, which require activation by EthA and KatG. More importantly, a strain overexpressing both ethA and katG was potentially more susceptible to approximately 20% of the antituberculosis hit compounds from the TB Alliance library. Most of these compounds were activated by EthA in M. marinum Four of these compounds were selected for further analysis, and three of them showed obvious EthA-dependent activity against M. tuberculosis Overall, our developed M. marinum strains are valuable tools for high-throughput discovery of potential novel antituberculosis prodrugs.
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18
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Yang HJ, Wang D, Wen X, Weiner DM, Via LE. One Size Fits All? Not in In Vivo Modeling of Tuberculosis Chemotherapeutics. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:613149. [PMID: 33796474 PMCID: PMC8008060 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.613149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem despite almost universal efforts to provide patients with highly effective chemotherapy, in part, because many infected individuals are not diagnosed and treated, others do not complete treatment, and a small proportion harbor Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains that have become resistant to drugs in the standard regimen. Development and approval of new drugs for TB have accelerated in the last 10 years, but more drugs are needed due to both Mtb's development of resistance and the desire to shorten therapy to 4 months or less. The drug development process needs predictive animal models that recapitulate the complex pathology and bacterial burden distribution of human disease. The human host response to pulmonary infection with Mtb is granulomatous inflammation usually resulting in contained lesions and limited bacterial replication. In those who develop progressive or active disease, regions of necrosis and cavitation can develop leading to lasting lung damage and possible death. This review describes the major vertebrate animal models used in evaluating compound activity against Mtb and the disease presentation that develops. Each of the models, including the zebrafish, various mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and non-human primates provides data on number of Mtb bacteria and pathology resolution. The models where individual lesions can be dissected from the tissue or sampled can also provide data on lesion-specific bacterial loads and lesion-specific drug concentrations. With the inclusion of medical imaging, a compound's effect on resolution of pathology within individual lesions and animals can also be determined over time. Incorporation of measurement of drug exposure and drug distribution within animals and their tissues is important for choosing the best compounds to push toward the clinic and to the development of better regimens. We review the practical aspects of each model and the advantages and limitations of each in order to promote choosing a rational combination of them for a compound's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Jeong Yang
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Decheng Wang
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.,Institute of Infection and Inflammation, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.,Institute of Infection and Inflammation, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Danielle M Weiner
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.,Tuberculosis Imaging Program, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Laura E Via
- Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.,Tuberculosis Imaging Program, DIR, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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19
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Rampacci E, Stefanetti V, Passamonti F, Henao-Tamayo M. Preclinical Models of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infection for Early Drug Discovery and Vaccine Research. Pathogens 2020; 9:E641. [PMID: 32781698 PMCID: PMC7459799 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent an increasingly prevalent etiology of soft tissue infections in animals and humans. NTM are widely distributed in the environment and while, for the most part, they behave as saprophytic organisms, in certain situations, they can be pathogenic, so much so that the incidence of NTM infections has surpassed that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in developed countries. As a result, a growing body of the literature has focused attention on the critical role that drug susceptibility tests and infection models play in the design of appropriate therapeutic strategies against NTM diseases. This paper is an overview of the in vitro and in vivo models of NTM infection employed in the preclinical phase for early drug discovery and vaccine development. It summarizes alternative methods, not fully explored, for the characterization of anti-mycobacterial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rampacci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (E.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Valentina Stefanetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (E.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Fabrizio Passamonti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (E.R.); (V.S.)
| | - Marcela Henao-Tamayo
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
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20
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Puyskens A, Stinn A, van der Vaart M, Kreuchwig A, Protze J, Pei G, Klemm M, Guhlich-Bornhof U, Hurwitz R, Krishnamoorthy G, Schaaf M, Krause G, Meijer AH, Kaufmann SHE, Moura-Alves P. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Modulation by Tuberculosis Drugs Impairs Host Defense and Treatment Outcomes. Cell Host Microbe 2019; 27:238-248.e7. [PMID: 31901518 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in tuberculosis (TB) is a public health threat of global dimension, worsened by increasing drug resistance. Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging concept currently explored as an adjunct therapeutic strategy for TB. One potential host target is the ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which binds TB virulence factors and controls antibacterial responses. Here, we demonstrate that in the context of therapy, the AhR binds several TB drugs, including front line drugs rifampicin (RIF) and rifabutin (RFB), resulting in altered host defense and drug metabolism. AhR sensing of TB drugs modulates host defense mechanisms, notably impairs phagocytosis, and increases TB drug metabolism. Targeting AhR in vivo with a small-molecule inhibitor increases RFB-treatment efficacy. Thus, the AhR markedly impacts TB outcome by affecting both host defense and drug metabolism. As a corollary, we propose the AhR as a potential target for HDT in TB in adjunct to canonical chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Puyskens
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Anne Stinn
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany; Department for Structural Infection Biology, Center for Structural Systems Biology, Notkestraße 85, Hamburg 22607, Germany
| | - Michiel van der Vaart
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333, the Netherlands
| | - Annika Kreuchwig
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Jonas Protze
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Gang Pei
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Marion Klemm
- 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
| | - Robert Hurwitz
- Protein Purification Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Gopinath Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Marcel Schaaf
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333, the Netherlands
| | - Gerd Krause
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Annemarie H Meijer
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, Leiden 2333, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan H E Kaufmann
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany; Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - Pedro Moura-Alves
- Department of Immunology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
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21
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Asai M, Li Y, Khara JS, Robertson BD, Langford PR, Newton SM. Galleria mellonella: An Infection Model for Screening Compounds Against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2630. [PMID: 31824448 PMCID: PMC6882372 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug screening models have a vital role in the development of novel antimycobacterial agents which are urgently needed to tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). We recently established the larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) as a novel infection model for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Here we demonstrate its use as a rapid and reproducible screen to evaluate antimycobacterial drug efficacy using larvae infected with bioluminescent Mycobacterium bovis BCG lux. Treatment improved larval survival outcome and, with the exception of pyrazinamide, was associated with a significant reduction in in vivo mycobacterial bioluminescence over a 96 h period compared to the untreated controls. Isoniazid and rifampicin displayed the greatest in vivo efficacy and survival outcome. Thus G. mellonella, infected with bioluminescent mycobacteria, can rapidly determine in vivo drug efficacy, and has the potential to significantly reduce and/or replace the number of animals used in TB research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Asai
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yanwen Li
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jasmeet Singh Khara
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brian D Robertson
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R Langford
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra M Newton
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Developing zebrafish disease models for in vivo small molecule screens. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 50:37-44. [PMID: 30928773 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is a model organism that allows in vivo studies to be performed at a scale usually restricted to in vitro studies. As such, the zebrafish is well suited to in vivo screens, in which thousands of small molecules are tested for their ability to modify disease phenotypes in zebrafish disease models. Numerous approaches have been developed for modeling human diseases in zebrafish, including mutagenesis, transgenesis, pharmacological approaches, wounding, and exposure to infectious or cancerous agents. We review the various strategies for modeling human diseases in zebrafish and discuss important considerations when developing zebrafish models for use in in vivo small molecule screens.
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23
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Abstract
Tuberculosis is still a global health burden. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which afflicts around one third of the world's population and costs around 1.3 million people their lives every year. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine is inefficient to prevent overt infection. Additionally, the lengthy inconvenient course of treatment, along with the raising issue of antimicrobial resistance, result in incomplete eradication of this infectious disease. The lack of proper animal models that replicate the latent and active courses of human tuberculosis infection remains one of the main reasons behind the poor advancement in tuberculosis research. Danio rerio, commonly known as zebrafish, is catching more attention as an animal model in tuberculosis research field. This shift is based on the histological and pathological similarities between Mycobacterium marinum infection in zebrafish and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in humans. Being small, cheap, transparent, and easy to handle have added further advantages to the use of zebrafish model. Besides better understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium marinum infected zebrafish model is useful for evaluating novel vaccines against human tuberculosis, high throughput small molecule screening, repurposing established drugs with possible antitubercular activity, and assessing novel antituberculars for hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Bouz
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove , Charles University , Hradec Kralove , Czech Republic
| | - Nada Al Hasawi
- b Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Kuwait University , Kuwait , State of Kuwait
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24
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Harjula SKE, Ojanen MJT, Taavitsainen S, Nykter M, Rämet M. Interleukin 10 mutant zebrafish have an enhanced interferon gamma response and improved survival against a Mycobacterium marinum infection. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10360. [PMID: 29985419 PMCID: PMC6037744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28511-w] [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: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis ranks as one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases causing more than a million casualties annually. IL10 inhibits the function of Th1 type cells, and IL10 deficiency has been associated with an improved resistance against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a mouse model. Here, we utilized M. marinum infection in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model for studying Il10 in the host response against mycobacteria. Unchallenged, nonsense il10e46/e46 mutant zebrafish were fertile and phenotypically normal. Following a chronic mycobacterial infection, il10e46/e46 mutants showed enhanced survival compared to the controls. This was associated with an increased expression of the Th cell marker cd4-1 and a shift towards a Th1 type immune response, which was demonstrated by the upregulated expression of tbx21 and ifng1, as well as the down-regulation of gata3. In addition, at 8 weeks post infection il10e46/e46 mutant zebrafish had reduced expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines tnfb and il1b, presumably indicating slower progress of the infection. Altogether, our data show that Il10 can weaken the immune defense against M. marinum infection in zebrafish by restricting ifng1 response. Importantly, our findings support the relevance of M. marinum infection in zebrafish as a model for tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna-Kaisa E Harjula
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Markus J T Ojanen
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sinja Taavitsainen
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mika Rämet
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. .,Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. .,Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. .,PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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25
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Bielecka MK, Elkington P. Advanced cellular systems to study tuberculosis treatment. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2018; 42:16-21. [PMID: 29990957 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) kills more humans than any other infection and drug resistant strains are progressively emerging. Whilst the successful development of new agents for multi-drug resistant Mtb represents a major step forward, this progress must be balanced against recent disappointments in treatment-shortening trials. Consequently, there is a pressing need to strengthen the pipeline of drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB) and develop innovative therapeutic regimes. Approaches that bridge diverse disciplines are likely to be required to provide systems that address the limitations of current experimental models. Mtb is an obligate human pathogen that has undergone extensive co-evolution, resulting in a complex interplay between the host and pathogen. This chronic interaction involves multiple micro-environments, which may underlie some of the challenges in developing new drugs. The authors propose that advanced cell culture models of TB are likely to be an important addition to the experimental armamentarium in developing new approaches to TB, and here we review recent progress in this area and discuss the principal challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena K Bielecka
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.
| | - Paul Elkington
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
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26
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Trousil J, Ulmann V, Hrubý M. Fluorescence & bioluminescence in the quest for imaging, probing & analysis of mycobacterial infections. Future Microbiol 2018; 13:933-951. [PMID: 29893148 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2017-0296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterioses represent a global health problem and rapid diagnostic improvements are urgently required. Mycobacteria-specific fluorescence and bioluminescence phenomena have been found to be useful for a wide range of mycobacteria-focused research. Here, we present a critical survey of the most promising techniques in this field and the potential of new methods under investigation. These approaches include acid-fast staining, intrinsic fluorescence of the coenzyme F420, fluorogenic substrates (e.g., β-lactamase-sensitive coumpounds) and recombination of mycobacteria or mycobacteriophages. Probably the most interesting and emerging host-inspecting approach is in vivo imaging. Detection of fluorescence in vivo, however, is complicated by light scattering, light absorption, and autofluorescence, caused by the tissues. Despite this, many of these systems show promise as the foundations for improved rapid analysis and imaging of mycobacterial infections, both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Trousil
- Department of Supramolecular Polymer Systems, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovského náměstí 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.,Department of Analytical Chemistry, Charles University, Faculty of Science, Hlavova 8, 128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Ulmann
- Laboratory for Mycobacterial Diagnostics and Tuberculosis, Regional Institute of Public Health in Ostrava, Partyzánské náměstí 7, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hrubý
- Department of Supramolecular Polymer Systems, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovského náměstí 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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27
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Clatworthy AE, Romano KP, Hung DT. Whole-organism phenotypic screening for anti-infectives promoting host health. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:331-341. [PMID: 29556098 PMCID: PMC9843822 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0018-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
To date, antibiotics have been identified on the basis of their ability to kill bacteria or inhibit their growth rather than directly for their capacity to improve clinical outcomes of infected patients. Although historically successful, this approach has led to the development of an antibiotic armamentarium that suffers from a number of shortcomings, including the inevitable emergence of resistance and, in certain infections, suboptimal efficacy leading to long treatment durations, infection recurrence, or high mortality and morbidity rates despite apparent bacterial sterilization. Conventional antibiotics fail to address the complexities of in vivo bacterial physiology and virulence, as well as the role of the host underlying the complex, dynamic interactions that cause disease. New interventions are needed, aimed at host outcome rather than microbiological cure. Here we review the role of screening models for cellular and whole-organism infection, including worms, flies, zebrafish, and mice, to identify novel therapeutic strategies and discuss their future implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Clatworthy
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith P. Romano
- Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah T. Hung
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to D.T.H.
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28
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Abstract
![]()
Current tuberculosis
(TB) drug development efforts are not sufficient
to end the global TB epidemic. Recent efforts have focused on the
development of whole-cell screening assays because biochemical, target-based
inhibitor screens during the last two decades have not delivered new
TB drugs. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative
agent of TB, encounters diverse microenvironments and can be found
in a variety of metabolic states in the human host. Due to the complexity
and heterogeneity of Mtb infection, no single model can fully recapitulate
the in vivo conditions in which Mtb is found in TB patients, and there
is no single “standard” screening condition to generate
hit compounds for TB drug development. However, current screening
assays have become more sophisticated as researchers attempt to mirror
the complexity of TB disease in the laboratory. In this review, we
describe efforts using surrogates and engineered strains of Mtb to
focus screens on specific targets. We explain model culture systems
ranging from carbon starvation to hypoxia, and combinations thereof,
designed to represent the microenvironment which Mtb encounters in
the human body. We outline ongoing efforts to model Mtb infection
in the lung granuloma. We assess these different models, their ability
to generate hit compounds, and needs for further TB drug development,
to provide direction for future TB drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianao Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Nicole S Sampson
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States.,Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University , Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
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29
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Trofimov V, Costa-Gouveia J, Hoffmann E, Brodin P. Host-pathogen systems for early drug discovery against tuberculosis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2017; 39:143-151. [PMID: 29179041 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a global disease causing 1.8 million deaths each year. The appearance of drug-resistant strains raised the demand for new anti-mycobacterial drugs and therapies, because previously discovered antibiotics are shown to be inefficient. Moreover, the number of newly discovered drugs is not increasing in proportion to the emergence of drug resistance, which suggests that more optimized methodology and screening procedures are required including the incorporation of in vivo properties of TB infection. A way to improve efficacy of screening approaches is by introducing the use of different host-pathogen systems into primary screenings. These include whole cell-based screenings, zebrafish larvae-based screenings and the impact of artificial granuloma research on the drug discovery process. This review highlights current screening attempts and the identified molecular targets and summarizes findings of alternative, not fully explored host-pathogen systems for the characterization of anti-mycobacterial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Trofimov
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, University Lille, Lille, France
| | - Joana Costa-Gouveia
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, University Lille, Lille, France
| | - Eik Hoffmann
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, University Lille, Lille, France
| | - Priscille Brodin
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, University Lille, Lille, France.
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30
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Gupta R, Netherton M, Byrd TF, Rohde KH. Reporter-Based Assays for High-Throughput Drug Screening against Mycobacterium abscessus. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2204. [PMID: 29176967 PMCID: PMC5687050 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium that causes pulmonary and non-pulmonary infections. M. abscessus is resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and the current treatment options show poor clinical outcomes. Thus, there is a dire need to find new antimicrobials effective at killing M. abscessus. Screening drug libraries to identify potential antimicrobials has been impeded by the lack of validated HTS assays for M. abscessus. In this study, we developed two 384-well high-throughput screening assays using fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter strains of M. abscessus for drug discovery. Optimization of inoculum size, incubation time and the volume-per-well based on Z-factor and signal intensity yielded two complementary, robust tools for M. abscessus drug discovery with Z-factor > 0.8. The MIC of known drugs, amikacin and clarithromycin, as determined by bioluminescence was in agreement with the published MIC values. A proof-of-concept screen of 2,093 natural product-inspired compounds was conducted using the 384-well bioluminescent assay to identify novel scaffolds active against M. abscessus. Five active "hit" compounds identified in this pilot screen were confirmed and characterized by a CFU assay and MIC determination. Overall, we developed and validated a 384-well screen that offers simple, sensitive and fast screening of compounds for activity against this emerging pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first reporter-based high-throughput screening study aimed at M. abscessus drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Gupta
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Mandy Netherton
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Thomas F Byrd
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Kyle H Rohde
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
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