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Furtado KL, Plott L, Markovetz M, Powers D, Wang H, Hill DB, Papin J, Allbritton NL, Tamayo R. Clostridioides difficile-mucus interactions encompass shifts in gene expression, metabolism, and biofilm formation. mSphere 2024:e0008124. [PMID: 38837404 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00081-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In a healthy colon, the stratified mucus layer serves as a crucial innate immune barrier to protect the epithelium from microbes. Mucins are complex glycoproteins that serve as a nutrient source for resident microflora and can be exploited by pathogens. We aimed to understand how the intestinal pathogen, Clostridioides difficile, independently uses or manipulates mucus to its benefit, without contributions from members of the microbiota. Using a 2-D primary human intestinal epithelial cell model to generate physiologic mucus, we assessed C. difficile-mucus interactions through growth assays, RNA-Seq, biophysical characterization of mucus, and contextualized metabolic modeling. We found that host-derived mucus promotes C. difficile growth both in vitro and in an infection model. RNA-Seq revealed significant upregulation of genes related to central metabolism in response to mucus, including genes involved in sugar uptake, the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, and the glycine cleavage system. In addition, we identified differential expression of genes related to sensing and transcriptional control. Analysis of mutants with deletions in highly upregulated genes reflected the complexity of C. difficile-mucus interactions, with potential interplay between sensing and growth. Mucus also stimulated biofilm formation in vitro, which may in turn alter the viscoelastic properties of mucus. Context-specific metabolic modeling confirmed differential metabolism and the predicted importance of enzymes related to serine and glycine catabolism with mucus. Subsequent growth experiments supported these findings, indicating mucus is an important source of serine. Our results better define responses of C. difficile to human gastrointestinal mucus and highlight flexibility in metabolism that may influence pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Clostridioides difficile results in upward of 250,000 infections and 12,000 deaths annually in the United States. Community-acquired infections continue to rise, and recurrent disease is common, emphasizing a vital need to understand C. difficile pathogenesis. C. difficile undoubtedly interacts with colonic mucus, but the extent to which the pathogen can independently respond to and take advantage of this niche has not been explored extensively. Moreover, the metabolic complexity of C. difficile remains poorly understood but likely impacts its capacity to grow and persist in the host. Here, we demonstrate that C. difficile uses native colonic mucus for growth, indicating C. difficile possesses mechanisms to exploit the mucosal niche. Furthermore, mucus induces metabolic shifts and biofilm formation in C. difficile, which has potential ramifications for intestinal colonization. Overall, our work is crucial to better understand the dynamics of C. difficile-mucus interactions in the context of the human gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen L Furtado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lucas Plott
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew Markovetz
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deborah Powers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David B Hill
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jason Papin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Nancy L Allbritton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rita Tamayo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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2
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Ahmad K, Meng Y, Fan C, Din ASU, Jia Q, Ashraf A, Zhang Y, Hou H. Collagen/gelatin and polysaccharide complexes enhance gastric retention and mucoadhesive properties. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 266:131034. [PMID: 38518948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
This article has focused on collagen-gelatin, the gelation process, as well as blend interaction between collagen/gelatin with various polysaccharides to boost mucoadhesion and gastric retention. The interaction between mucoadhesive materials and mucin layers is of significant interest in the development of drug delivery systems and biomedical applications for effective targeting and prolonged time in the gastrointestinal tract. This paper reviews the current advancement and mucoadhesive properties of collagen/gelatin and different polysaccharide complexes concerning the mucin layer and interactions are briefly highlighted. Collagen/gelatin and polysaccharide blends biocompatible and biodegradable, the complex biomolecules have shown encouraging mucoadhesive properties due to their cationic nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds with mucin glycoproteins. The mucoadhesion mechanism was attributed to the electrostatic interactions between the positively charged amino (NH2) groups of blend biopolymers and the negatively charged sialic acid residues present in mucin glycoprotein. At the end of this article, the encouraging prospect of collagen/polysaccharide complex and mucin glycoprotein is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khurshid Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Yuqian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Chaozhong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Aiman Salah Ud Din
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Qiannan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Azqa Ashraf
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Yanying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China
| | - Hu Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, No.1299, Sansha Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266404, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266237, PR China; Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, Hainan Province 572024, PR China; Qingdao Institute of Marine Bioresources for Nutrition & Health Innovation, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266000, PR China.
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3
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Zhang Y, Edwards SA, House M. Cerclage prevents ascending intrauterine infection in pregnant mice. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:555.e1-555.e8. [PMID: 37816485 PMCID: PMC10999506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.004] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment for cervical insufficiency is cerclage surgery. Although cerclage is a common therapy for prevention of preterm birth, there is no consensus about its mechanism of efficacy. Previous investigators have hypothesized that cerclage prevents preterm birth by improving the cervical barrier to ascending infection. However, this hypothesis is difficult to study in human pregnancy. OBJECTIVE In a mouse model of ascending infection, we hypothesized that a cerclage improves the cervical barrier leading to decreased ascending intrauterine infection and inflammation. An abdominal cerclage was studied because a vaginal cerclage is not feasible in mice. STUDY DESIGN To perform an abdominal cerclage, laparotomy was performed on timed, pregnant C57BL/6 mice on gestational day 10 (E10). A 6-0 silk suture was placed around the cervix just below the junction of the 2 uterine horns. Sham controls received the same surgery, but no cerclage was placed. To track ascending infection nonpathogenic E coli K12 was genetically modified to express bioluminescence. On E15, bioluminescent E coli K12 (20 μL of 1×109 bacteria) was inoculated into the vagina. Whole-body bioluminescence imaging was performed 0.5 hours and 24 hours after inoculation. To assess intrauterine inflammation, pathogenic E coli K1 was used. On E15, bacterial inoculums of E coli K1 (20 μL of 1×104 bacteria) were vaginally administered. Samples of uterus, placenta, and fetal membranes were collected 24 hours after inoculation. Gene expression of inflammation-related proteins was compared between 3 groups: (1) sham control surgery + inoculation of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (2) sham control surgery + inoculation of E coli K1, and (3) cerclage surgery + inoculation of E coli K1. RESULTS Abdominal cerclage was well tolerated. No cases of preterm birth were seen following abdominal cerclage. Whole-body bioluminescent imaging performed 0.5 hours post inoculation showed a strong luminescence signal in the vaginal region of mice in both control and experimental groups indicating successful bacteria inoculation. Twenty-four hours after inoculation, bioluminescent signal was seen ascending into the uterine horns in all control mice. However, in mice with abdominal cerclages, no bioluminescent signal was seen after 24 hours. When the reproductive tissues were imaged separately in control mice, strong bioluminescence signal was detected in the placenta, fetal membranes, and uterus. Gene expression studies showed that cerclage significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory proteins induced by E coli K1 in the uterus, placenta, and fetal membranes. CONCLUSION In this mouse model of ascending intrauterine infection, abdominal cerclage prevented ascending infection of E coli. In addition, abdominal cerclage prevented expression of inflammatory cytokines in the uterus, placenta, and membranes of mice. The study provides evidence for a potential mechanism of cerclage success in human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Zhang
- Mother Infant Research Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Skye A Edwards
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA
| | - Michael House
- Mother Infant Research Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA; Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA.
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Martin-Alarcon L, Govedarica A, Ewoldt RH, Bryant SL, Jay GD, Schmidt TA, Trifkovic M. Scale-Dependent Rheology of Synovial Fluid Lubricating Macromolecules. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306207. [PMID: 38161247 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Synovial fluid (SF) is the complex biofluid that facilitates the exceptional lubrication of articular cartilage in joints. Its primary lubricating macromolecules, the linear polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) and the mucin-like glycoprotein proteoglycan 4 (PRG4 or lubricin), interact synergistically to reduce boundary friction. However, the precise manner in which these molecules influence the rheological properties of SF remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate this by employing confocal microscopy and multiscale rheometry to examine the microstructure and rheology of solutions containing recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4) and HA. Contrary to previous assumptions of an extensive HA-rhPRG4 network, it is discovered that rhPRG4 primarily forms stiff, gel-like aggregates. The properties of these aggregates, including their size and stiffness, are found to be influenced by the viscoelastic characteristics of the surrounding HA matrix. Consequently, the rheology of this system is not governed by a single length scale, but instead responds as a disordered, hierarchical network with solid-like rhPRG4 aggregates distributed throughout the continuous HA phase. These findings provide new insights into the biomechanical function of PRG4 in cartilage lubrication and may have implications in the development of HA-based therapies for joint diseases like osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Martin-Alarcon
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Aleksandra Govedarica
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Randy H Ewoldt
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Steven L Bryant
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gregory D Jay
- Department of Emergency Medicine - Warren Alpert Medical School & School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Tannin A Schmidt
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - Milana Trifkovic
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Walsh D, Bevan J, Harrison F. How Does Airway Surface Liquid Composition Vary in Different Pulmonary Diseases, and How Can We Use This Knowledge to Model Microbial Infections? Microorganisms 2024; 12:732. [PMID: 38674677 PMCID: PMC11052052 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040732] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Growth environment greatly alters many facets of pathogen physiology, including pathogenesis and antimicrobial tolerance. The importance of host-mimicking environments for attaining an accurate picture of pathogen behaviour is widely recognised. Whilst this recognition has translated into the extensive development of artificial cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum medium, attempts to mimic the growth environment in other respiratory disease states have been completely neglected. The composition of the airway surface liquid (ASL) in different pulmonary diseases is far less well characterised than CF sputum, making it very difficult for researchers to model these infection environments. In this review, we discuss the components of human ASL, how different lung pathologies affect ASL composition, and how different pathogens interact with these components. This will provide researchers interested in mimicking different respiratory environments with the information necessary to design a host-mimicking medium, allowing for better understanding of how to treat pathogens causing infection in these environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Walsh
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK (F.H.)
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Hua T, Li S, Han B. Nanomedicines for intranasal delivery: understanding the nano-bio interactions at the nasal mucus-mucosal barrier. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024; 21:553-572. [PMID: 38720439 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2339335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intranasal administration is an effective drug delivery routes in modern pharmaceutics. However, unlike other in vivo biological barriers, the nasal mucosal barrier is characterized by high turnover and selective permeability, hindering the diffusion of both particulate drug delivery systems and drug molecules. The in vivo fate of administrated nanomedicines is often significantly affected by nano-biointeractions. AREAS COVERED The biological barriers that nanomedicines encounter when administered intranasally are introduced, with a discussion on the factors influencing the interaction between nanomedicines and the mucus layer/mucosal barriers. General design strategies for nanomedicines administered via the nasal route are further proposed. Furthermore, the most common methods to investigate the characteristics and the interactions of nanomedicines when in presence of the mucus layer/mucosal barrier are briefly summarized. EXPERT OPINION Detailed investigation of nanomedicine-mucus/mucosal interactions and exploration of their mechanisms provide solutions for designing better intranasal nanomedicines. Designing and applying nanomedicines with mucus interaction properties or non-mucosal interactions should be customized according to the therapeutic need, considering the target of the drug, i.e. brain, lung or nose. Then how to improve the precise targeting efficiency of nanomedicines becomes a difficult task for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tangsiyuan Hua
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou Univesity, Changzhou, PR China
| | - Shuling Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Biopharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
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7
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Meyer-Schuman R, Cale AR, Pierluissi JA, Jonatzke KE, Park YN, Lenk GM, Oprescu SN, Grachtchouk MA, Dlugosz AA, Beg AA, Meisler MH, Antonellis A. Predictive modeling provides insight into the clinical heterogeneity associated with TARS1 loss-of-function mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.25.586600. [PMID: 38585737 PMCID: PMC10996635 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are ubiquitously expressed, essential enzymes that complete the first step of protein translation: ligation of amino acids to cognate tRNAs. Genes encoding ARSs have been implicated in myriad dominant and recessive phenotypes, the latter often affecting multiple tissues but with frequent involvement of the central and peripheral nervous system, liver, and lungs. Threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS1) encodes the enzyme that ligates threonine to tRNATHR in the cytoplasm. To date, TARS1 variants have been implicated in a recessive brittle hair phenotype. To better understand TARS1-related recessive phenotypes, we engineered three TARS1 missense mutations predicted to cause a loss-of-function effect and studied these variants in yeast and worm models. This revealed two loss-of-function mutations, including one hypomorphic allele (R433H). We next used R433H to study the effects of partial loss of TARS1 function in a compound heterozygous mouse model (R433H/null). This model presents with phenotypes reminiscent of patients with TARS1 variants and with distinct lung and skin defects. This study expands the potential clinical heterogeneity of TARS1-related recessive disease, which should guide future clinical and genetic evaluations of patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison R. Cale
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Kira E. Jonatzke
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Young N. Park
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Guy M. Lenk
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Andrzej A. Dlugosz
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Asim A. Beg
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Miriam H. Meisler
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anthony Antonellis
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Treven P, Paveljšek D, Kostanjšek R, Golob M, Bogovič Matijašič B, Mohar Lorbeg P. In vitro model of human mammary gland microbial colonization (MAGIC) demonstrates distinctive cytokine response to imbalanced human milk microbiota. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0236923. [PMID: 38289112 PMCID: PMC10913382 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02369-23] [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: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the established concept of the human mammary gland (MG) as a habitat with its own microbiota, the exact mechanism of MG colonization is still elusive and a well-characterized in vitro model would reinforce studies of the MG microbiota development. We aimed to establish and characterize an in vitro cell model for studying MAmmary Gland mIcrobial Colonization (MAGIC) model. We used the immortalized cell line MCF10A, which expresses the strong polarized phenotype similar to MG ductal epithelium when cultured on a permeable support (Transwell). We analyzed the surface properties of the MAGIC model by gene expression analysis of E-cadherin, tight junction proteins, and mucins and by scanning electron microscopy. To demonstrate the applicability of the model, we tested the adhesion capability of the whole human milk (HM) microbial community and the cellular response of the model when challenged directly with raw HM samples. MCF10A on permeable supports differentiated and formed a tight barrier, by upregulation of CLDN8, MUC1, MUC4, and MUC20 genes. The surface of the model was covered with mucins and morphologically diverse with at least two cell types and two types of microvilli. Cells in the MAGIC model withstood the challenge with heat-treated HM samples and responded differently to the imbalanced HM microbiota by distinctive cytokine response. The microbial profile of the bacteria adhered on the MAGIC model reflected the microbiological profile of the input HM samples. The well-studied MAGIC model could be useful for studies of bacterial attachment to the MG and for in vitro studies of biofilm formation and microbiota development.IMPORTANCEThe MAGIC model may be particularly useful for studies of bacterial attachment to the surface of the mammary ducts and for in vitro studies of biofilm formation and the development of the human mammary gland (MG) microbiota. The model is also useful for immunological studies of the interaction between bacteria and MG cells. We obtained pioneering information on which of the bacteria present in the raw human milk (HM) were able to attach to the epithelium treated directly with raw HM, as well as on the effects of bacteria on the MG epithelial cells. The MAGIC cell model also offers new opportunities for research in other areas of MG physiology, such as the effects of bioactive milk components on microbial colonization of the MG, mastitis prevention, and studies of probiotic development. Since resident MG bacteria may be an important factor in breast cancer development, the MAGIC in vitro tool also offers new opportunities for cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primož Treven
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Diana Paveljšek
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Rok Kostanjšek
- Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Chair of Zoology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Majda Golob
- University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bojana Bogovič Matijašič
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Petra Mohar Lorbeg
- Department of Animal Science, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Institute of Dairy Science and Probiotics, Domžale, Slovenia
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9
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Barmpatsalou V, Tjakra M, Li L, Dubbelboer IR, Karlsson E, Pedersen Lomstein B, Bergström CAS. Development of a canine artificial colonic mucus model for drug diffusion studies. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 194:106702. [PMID: 38218203 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Colonic mucus is a key factor in the colonic environment because it may affect drug absorption. Due to the similarity of human and canine gastrointestinal physiology, dogs are an established preclinical species for the assessment of controlled release formulations. Here we report the development of an artificial colonic mucus model to mimic the native canine one. In vitro models of the canine colonic environment can provide insights for early stages of drug development and contribute to the implementation of the 3Rs (refinement, reduction, and replacement) of animal usage in the drug development process. Our artificial colonic mucus could predict diffusion trends observed in native mucus and was successfully implemented in microscopic and macroscopic assays to study macromolecular permeation through the mucus. The traditional Transwell set up was optimized with the addition of a nylon filter to ensure homogenous representation of the mucus barrier in vitro. In conclusion, the canine artificial colonic mucus can be used to study drug permeation across the mucus and its flexibility allows its use in various set ups depending on the nature of the compound under investigation and equipment availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Barmpatsalou
- The Swedish Drug Delivery Center, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Box 580, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - M Tjakra
- The Swedish Drug Delivery Center, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Box 580, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - L Li
- The Swedish Drug Delivery Center, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Box 580, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - I R Dubbelboer
- The Swedish Drug Delivery Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Box 574, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Karlsson
- Oral Product Development, Pharmaceutical Technology & Development, Operations, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - B Pedersen Lomstein
- Product Development & Drug Delivery, Global Pharmaceutical R&D, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Amager Strandvej 405, 2770, Kastrup, Denmark
| | - C A S Bergström
- The Swedish Drug Delivery Center, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Box 580, SE-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.
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10
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Furtado KL, Plott L, Markovetz M, Powers D, Wang H, Hill DB, Papin J, Allbritton NL, Tamayo R. Clostridioides difficile-mucus interactions encompass shifts in gene expression, metabolism, and biofilm formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.01.578425. [PMID: 38352512 PMCID: PMC10862863 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.578425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
In a healthy colon, the stratified mucus layer serves as a crucial innate immune barrier to protect the epithelium from microbes. Mucins are complex glycoproteins that serve as a nutrient source for resident microflora and can be exploited by pathogens. We aimed to understand how the intestinal pathogen, Clostridioides diffiicile, independently uses or manipulates mucus to its benefit, without contributions from members of the microbiota. Using a 2-D primary human intestinal epithelial cell model to generate physiologic mucus, we assessed C. difficile-mucus interactions through growth assays, RNA-Seq, biophysical characterization of mucus, and contextualized metabolic modeling. We found that host-derived mucus promotes C. difficile growth both in vitro and in an infection model. RNA-Seq revealed significant upregulation of genes related to central metabolism in response to mucus, including genes involved in sugar uptake, the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, and the glycine cleavage system. In addition, we identified differential expression of genes related to sensing and transcriptional control. Analysis of mutants with deletions in highly upregulated genes reflected the complexity of C. difficile-mucus interactions, with potential interplay between sensing and growth. Mucus also stimulated biofilm formation in vitro, which may in turn alter viscoelastic properties of mucus. Context-specific metabolic modeling confirmed differential metabolism and predicted importance of enzymes related to serine and glycine catabolism with mucus. Subsequent growth experiments supported these findings, indicating mucus is an important source of serine. Our results better define responses of C. difficile to human gastrointestinal mucus and highlight a flexibility in metabolism that may influence pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen L. Furtado
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lucas Plott
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew Markovetz
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah Powers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David B. Hill
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jason Papin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Rita Tamayo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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11
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Galashov A, Kazakova E, Stieger CE, Hackenberger CPR, Seitz O. Rapid building block-economic synthesis of long, multi- O-GalNAcylated MUC5AC tandem repeat peptides. Chem Sci 2024; 15:1297-1305. [PMID: 38274058 PMCID: PMC10806717 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05006h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of mucin function requires access to highly O-glycosylated peptides with multiple tandem repeats. Solid-phase synthesis would be a suitable method, however, the central problem in the synthesis of mucin glycopeptides is the need to use precious and potentially vulnerable glycoamino acid building blocks in excess. In this article, we report the development of a method based on SPPS and native chemical ligation/desulfurization chemistry that allows the rapid, reliable, and glyco-economical synthesis of long multi-O-GalNAcylated peptides. To facilitate access to the glycosyl donor required for the preparation of Fmoc-Ser/Thr(αAc3GalNAc)-OH we used an easily scalable azidophenylselenylation of galactal instead of azidonitration. The problem of low yield when coupling glycoamino acids in small excess was solved by carrying out the reactions in 2-MeTHF instead of DMF and using DIC/Oxyma. Remarkably, quantitative coupling was achieved within 10 minutes using only 1.5 equivalents of glycoamino acid. The method does not require (microwave) heating, thus avoiding side reactions such as acetyl transfer to the N-terminal amino acid. This method also improved the difficult coupling of glycoamino acid to the hydrazine-resin and furnished peptides carrying 10 GalNAc units in high purities (>95%) of crude products. Combined with a one-pot method involving native chemical ligation at a glycoamino acid junction and superfast desulfurization, the method yielded highly pure MUC5AC glycopeptides comprising 10 octapeptide tandem repeats with 20 α-O-linked GalNAc residues within a week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arseniy Galashov
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Brook-Taylor-Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
| | - Ekaterina Kazakova
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Brook-Taylor-Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
| | - Christian E Stieger
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10 13125 Berlin Germany
| | - Christian P R Hackenberger
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Brook-Taylor-Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10 13125 Berlin Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Brook-Taylor-Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
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12
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Cui C, Wei Y, Wang Y, Ma W, Zheng X, Wang J, Ma Z, Wu C, Chu L, Zhang S, Guan W, Chen F. Dietary supplementation of benzoic acid and essential oils combination enhances intestinal resilience against LPS stimulation in weaned piglets. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2024; 15:4. [PMID: 38238856 PMCID: PMC10797991 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00958-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefits of combining benzoic acid and essential oils (BAO) to mitigate intestinal impairment during the weaning process have been well established, while the detailed underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Previous research has primarily focused on the reparative effects of BAO on intestinal injury, while neglecting its potential in enhancing intestinal stress resistance. METHODS In this study, we investigated the pre-protective effect of BAO against LPS-induced stress using a modified experimental procedure. Piglets were pre-supplemented with BAO for 14 d, followed by a challenge with LPS or saline to collect blood and intestinal samples. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that BAO supplementation led to significant improvements in piglets' final weight, average daily gain, and feed intake/body gain ratio. Additionally, BAO supplementation positively influenced the composition of intestinal microbiota, increasing beneficial Actinobacteriota and Alloprevotella while reducing harmful Desulfobacterota, Prevotella and Oscillospira. Furthermore, BAO supplementation effectively mitigated oxidative disturbances and inflammatory responses induced by acute LPS challenge. This was evidenced by elevated levels of T-AOC, SOD, and GSH, as well as decreased levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the plasma. Moreover, piglets subjected to LPS challenge and pre-supplemented with BAO exhibited significant improvements in intestinal morphological structure and enhanced integrity, as indicated by restored expression levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 compared to the non-supplemented counterparts. Further analysis revealed that BAO supplementation enhanced the jejunal antioxidative capacity by increasing GSH-Px levels and decreasing MDA levels under the LPS challenge and stimulated the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Additionally, the reduction of TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways activation and proinflammatory factor were also observed in the jejunal of those piglets fed with BAO. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our study demonstrates that pre-supplementation of BAO enhances the anti-stress capacity of weaned piglets by improving intestinal microbiota composition, reinforcing the intestinal barrier, and enhancing antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capabilities. These effects are closely associated with the activation of Nrf2 and TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yulong Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Wen Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ziwei Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Caichi Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Licui Chu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shihai Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Wutai Guan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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13
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Milian D, Robert de Saint Vincent M, Patarin J, Bodiguel H. Gastropod Slime-Based Gel as an Adjustable Synthetic Model for Human Airway Mucus. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:400-412. [PMID: 38124283 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Airway mucus works as a protective barrier in the human body, as it entraps pathogens that will be later cleared from the airways by ciliary transport or by coughing, thus featuring the rheological properties of a highly stretchable gel. Nonetheless, the study of these physical barrier as well as transport properties remains limited due to the restricted and invasive access to lungs and bronchi to retrieve mucus and to the poor repeatability inherent to native mucus samples. To overcome these limits, we report on a biobased synthetic mucus prepared from snail slime and multibranched thiol cross-linker, which are able to establish disulfide bonds, in analogy with the disulfide bonding of mucins, and therefore build viscoelastoplastic hydrogels. The gel macroscopic properties are tuned by modifying the cross-linker and slime concentrations and can quantitatively match those of native sputum from donors with cystic fibrosis (CF) or non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) both in the small- and large-deformation regimes. Heterogeneous regimes were locally found in the mucus model by passive microrheology, in which both diffusive and non-diffusive motion are present, similar to what is observed in sputa. The biobased synthetic approach proposed in the present study thus allows to produce, with commercially available components, a promising model to native respiratory mucus regarding both mechanical and, to a lesser extent, physicochemical aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Milian
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LRP, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Rheonova, 1 Allée de Certèze, 38610 Gières, France
| | | | | | - Hugues Bodiguel
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LRP, 38000 Grenoble, France
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14
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Horikiri M, Taniguchi M, Yoshikawa HY, Okumura R, Matsuzaki T. Mechanical Characterization of Mucus on Intestinal Tissues by Atomic Force Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2763:403-414. [PMID: 38347430 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3670-1_35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Mucus is part of the innate immune system that defends the mucosa against microbiota and other infectious threats. The mechanical characteristics of mucus, such as viscosity, elasticity, and lubricity, are critically involved in its barrier function. However, assessing the mechanical properties of mucus remains challenging because of technical limitations. Thus, a new approach that characterizes the mechanical properties of mucus on colonic tissues needs to be developed. Here, we describe a novel strategy to characterize the ex vivo mechanical properties of mucus on colonic tissues using atomic force microscopy. This description includes the preparation of the mouse colon sample, AFM calibration, and determining the elasticity (Young's modulus, E [kPa]) of the mucus layer in the colon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoka Horikiri
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mugen Taniguchi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Y Yoshikawa
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryu Okumura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Takahisa Matsuzaki
- Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Center for Future Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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15
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Böhning J, Graham M, Letham SC, Davis LK, Schulze U, Stansfeld PJ, Corey RA, Pearce P, Tarafder AK, Bharat TAM. Biophysical basis of filamentous phage tactoid-mediated antibiotic tolerance in P. aeruginosa. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8429. [PMID: 38114502 PMCID: PMC10730611 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44160-8] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Inoviruses are filamentous phages infecting numerous prokaryotic phyla. Inoviruses can self-assemble into mesoscale structures with liquid-crystalline order, termed tactoids, which protect bacterial cells in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms from antibiotics. Here, we investigate the structural, biophysical, and protective properties of tactoids formed by the P. aeruginosa phage Pf4 and Escherichia coli phage fd. A cryo-EM structure of the capsid from fd revealed distinct biochemical properties compared to Pf4. Fd and Pf4 formed tactoids with different morphologies that arise from differing phage geometries and packing densities, which in turn gave rise to different tactoid emergent properties. Finally, we showed that tactoids formed by either phage protect rod-shaped bacteria from antibiotic treatment, and that direct association with a tactoid is required for protection, demonstrating the formation of a diffusion barrier by the tactoid. This study provides insights into how filamentous molecules protect bacteria from extraneous substances in biofilms and in host-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Böhning
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Miles Graham
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Suzanne C Letham
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Luke K Davis
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, London, WC1H 0AY, UK
- Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ulrike Schulze
- Cell Biology Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Phillip J Stansfeld
- School of Life Sciences & Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Robin A Corey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Philip Pearce
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, London, WC1H 0AY, UK
- Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Abul K Tarafder
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Tanmay A M Bharat
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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16
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Caughman N, Papanikolas M, Markovetz M, Freeman R, Hill DB, Forest MG, Lysy M. Statistical Methods for Microrheology of Airway Mucus with Extreme Heterogeneity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.20.567244. [PMID: 38045262 PMCID: PMC10690152 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.20.567244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The mucus lining of the human airway epithelium contains two gel-forming mucins, MUC5B and MUC5AC. During progression of cystic fibrosis (CF), mucus hyper-concentrates as its mucin ratio changes, coinciding with formation of insoluble, dense mucus flakes. We explore rheological heterogeneity of this pathology with reconstituted mucus matching three stages of CF progression and particle-tracking of 200 nm and 1 micron diameter beads. We introduce statistical data analysis methods specific to low signal-to-noise data within flakes. Each bead time series is decomposed into: (i) a fractional Brownian motion (fBm) classifier of the pure time-series signal; (ii) high-frequency static and dynamic noise; and (iii) low-frequency deterministic drift. Subsequent analysis focuses on the denoised fBm classifier ensemble from each mucus sample and bead diameter. Every ensemble fails a homogeneity test, compelling clustering methods to assess levels of heterogeneity. The first binary level detects beads within vs. outside flakes. A second binary level detects within-flake bead signals that can vs. cannot be disentangled from the experimental noise floor. We show all denoised ensembles, within- and outside-flakes, fail a homogeneity test, compelling additional clustering; next, all clusters with sufficient data fail a homogeneity test. These levels of heterogeneity are consistent with outcomes from a stochastic phase-separation process, and dictate applying the generalized Stokes-Einstein relation to each bead per cluster per sample, then frequency-domain averaging to assess rheological heterogeneity. Flakes exhibit a spectrum of gel-like and sol-like domains, outside-flake solutions a spectrum of sol-like domains, painting a rheological signature of the phase-separation process underlying flake-burdened mucus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, UNC Chapel Hill
| | - David B. Hill
- Marsico Lung Institute, UNC Chapel Hill
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, UNC Chapel Hill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC Chapel Hill & NC State University
| | - M. Gregory Forest
- Department of Mathematics, UNC Chapel Hill
- Marsico Lung Institute, UNC Chapel Hill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, UNC Chapel Hill & NC State University
| | - Martin Lysy
- Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, CA
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17
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Vasquez PA, Walker B, Bloom K, Kolbin D, Caughman N, Freeman R, Lysy M, Hult C, Newhall KA, Papanikolas M, Edelmaier C, Forest MG. The power of weak, transient interactions across biology: A paradigm of emergent behavior. PHYSICA D. NONLINEAR PHENOMENA 2023; 454:133866. [PMID: 38274029 PMCID: PMC10806540 DOI: 10.1016/j.physd.2023.133866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
A growing list of diverse biological systems and their equally diverse functionalities provides realizations of a paradigm of emergent behavior. In each of these biological systems, pervasive ensembles of weak, short-lived, spatially local interactions act autonomously to convey functionalities at larger spatial and temporal scales. In this article, a range of diverse systems and functionalities are presented in a cursory manner with literature citations for further details. Then two systems and their properties are discussed in more detail: yeast chromosome biology and human respiratory mucus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A. Vasquez
- Department of Mathematics, University of South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ben Walker
- Department of Mathematics, University of California at Irvine, United States of America
| | - Kerry Bloom
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Daniel Kolbin
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Neall Caughman
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Ronit Freeman
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Martin Lysy
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo, Canada
| | - Caitlin Hult
- Department of Mathematics, Gettysburg College, United States of America
| | - Katherine A. Newhall
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Micah Papanikolas
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Christopher Edelmaier
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, United States of America
| | - M. Gregory Forest
- Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
- Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
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18
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Iguchi R, Nakayama S, Sasakura Y, Sekiguchi T, Ogasawara M. Repetitive and zonal expression profiles of absorption-related genes in the gastrointestinal tract of ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 394:343-360. [PMID: 37670165 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03828-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal absorption is essential for heterotrophic bilaterians with a tubular gut. Although the fundamental features of the digestive system were shared among chordates with evolution, the gut morphologies of vertebrates diverged and adapted to different food habitats. The ascidian Ciona intestinalis type A, a genome-wide research model of basal chordates, is used to examine the functional morphology of the intestines because of its transparent juvenile body. In the present study, the characteristic gene expression patterns (GEP) of Ciona absorptive proteins, e.g., brush border membrane enzymes for terminal digestion (lactase, maltase, APA, and APN) and transporters (SGLT1, GLUT5, PEPT1, and B0AT1), were investigated in juveniles and young adults, with a special reference to the absorption of other nutrients by pinocytosis- and phagocytosis-related proteins (megalin, cubilin, amnionless, Dab2, Rab7, LAMP, cathepsins, and MRC1). Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that these GEP showed multi-regional and repetitive features along the Ciona gastrointestinal tract, mainly in the stomach and several regions of the intestines. In young adults, many absorption-related genes, including pinocytosis-/phagocytosis-related genes, were also expressed between the stomach and mid-intestine. In the gastrointestinal epithelium, absorption-related genes showed zonal GEP along the epithelial structure. Comparisons of GEP, including other intestinal functions, such as nutrient digestion and intestinal protection, indicated the repetitive assignment of a well-coordinated set of intestinal GEP in the Ciona gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rin Iguchi
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nakayama
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
| | - Yasunori Sasakura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1 Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025, Japan
| | - Toshio Sekiguchi
- The Noto Marine Laboratory, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Housu-Gun, Ishikawa, 927-0553, Japan
| | - Michio Ogasawara
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-Cho, Inage-Ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan.
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19
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Zheng X, Li Y, Cui T, Yang J, Meng X, Wang H, Chen L, He J, Chen N, Meng L, Ding L, Xie R. Traceless Protein-Selective Glycan Labeling and Chemical Modification. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23670-23680. [PMID: 37857274 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Executing glycan editing at a molecular level not only is pivotal for the elucidation of complicated mechanisms involved in glycan-relevant biological processes but also provides a promising solution to potentiate disease therapy. However, the precision control of glycan modification or glyco-editing on a selected glycoprotein is by far a grand challenge. Of note is to preserve the intact cellular glycan landscape, which is preserved after editing events are completed. We report herein a versatile, traceless glycan modification methodology for customizing the glycoforms of targeted proteins (subtypes), by orchestrating chemical- and photoregulation in a protein-selective glycoenzymatic system. This method relies on a three-module, ligand-photocleavable linker-glycoenzyme (L-P-G) conjugate. We demonstrated that RGD- or synthetic carbohydrate ligand-containing conjugates (RPG and SPG) would not activate until after the ligand-receptor interaction is accomplished (chemical regulation). RPG and SPG can both release the glycoenzyme upon photoillumination (photoregulation). The adjustable glycoenzyme activity, combined with ligand recognition selectivity, minimizes unnecessary glycan editing perturbation, and photolytic cleavage enables precise temporal control of editing events. An altered target protein turnover and dimerization were observed in our system, emphasizing the significance of preserving the native physiological niche of a particular protein when precise modification on the carbohydrate epitope occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yiran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tongxiao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiangfeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Haiqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Liusheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Nan Chen
- ChinaChomiX Biotech (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210061, China
| | - Liying Meng
- Department of Medical Experimental Center, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266035, China
| | - Lin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ran Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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20
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Yan X, Sha X. Nanoparticle-Mediated Strategies for Enhanced Drug Penetration and Retention in the Airway Mucosa. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2457. [PMID: 37896217 PMCID: PMC10610050 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102457] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway mucus is a complex viscoelastic gel composed mainly of water, glycoproteins, lipids, enzymes, minerals, etc. Among them, glycoproteins are the main factors determining mucus's gel-like rheology. Airway mucus forms a protective barrier by secreting mucin, which represents a barrier for absorption, especially for more lipophilic drugs. It rapidly removes drugs from the airway through the physiological mucus clearance mechanism so drugs cannot remain in the lungs or reach the airway epithelial tissue for a long time. Significant progress has been made in enhancing drug lung deposition recently, but strategies are still needed to help drugs break through the lung mucosal barrier. Based on the physiopathological mechanisms of airway mucus, this paper reviews and summarizes strategies to enhance drug penetration and retention in the airway mucosa mediated by nano-delivery systems, including mucosal permeation systems, mucosal adhesion systems, and enzyme-modified delivery systems. On this basis, the potential and challenges of nano-delivery systems for improving airway mucus clearance are revealed. New ideas and approaches are provided for designing novel nano-delivery systems that effectively improve drug retention and penetration in the airway mucus layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Xianyi Sha
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 201203, China;
- The Institutes of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, 120 Urumqi Middle Road, Shanghai 200040, China
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21
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Donahue R, Sahoo JK, Rudolph S, Chen Y, Kaplan DL. Mucosa-Mimetic Materials for the Study of Intestinal Homeostasis and Disease. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300301. [PMID: 37329337 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Mucus is a viscoelastic hydrogel that lines and protects the epithelial surfaces of the body that houses commensal microbiota and functions in host defense against pathogen invasion. As a first-line physical and biochemical barrier, intestinal mucus is involved in immune surveillance and spatial organization of the microbiome, while dysfunction of the gut mucus barrier is implicated in several diseases. Mucus can be collected from a variety of mammalian sources for study, however, established methods are challenging in terms of scale and efficiency, as well as with regard to rheological similarity to native human mucus. Therefore, there is a need for mucus-mimetic hydrogels that more accurately reflect the physical and chemical profile of the in vivo human epithelial environment to enable the investigation of the role of mucus in human disease and interactions with the intestinal microbiome. This review will evaluate the material properties of synthetic mucus mimics to date designed to address the above need, with a focus toward an improved understanding of the biochemical and immunological functions of these biopolymers related to utility for research and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Sahoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Sara Rudolph
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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22
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Kramer JR, Ribbeck K. Theme issue: In vitro mucus models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 201:115053. [PMID: 37573950 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Katharina Ribbeck
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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23
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Barlang LA, Mohl BP, Blaurock C, Harder S, Breithaupt A, Merkel OM, Balkema-Buschmann A, Popp A. SARS-CoV-2 induced changes in the glycosylation pattern in the respiratory tract of Golden Syrian hamsters. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152077. [PMID: 37523787 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152077] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Even after more than two years of intensive research, not all of the pathophysiological processes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, have been fully elucidated. The initial virus-host interaction at the respiratory epithelium plays a crucial role in the course and progression of the infection, and is highly dependent on the glycosylation pattern of the host cell and of the secreted mucins. Glycans are polysaccharides that can be attached to proteins and thereby add to their stability and functionality. Lectins are glycan-binding proteins that recognize specific glycan motifs, and lectin histochemistry is a suitable tool to visualize and examine glycosylation pattern changes in tissues. In this study we used lectins with different glycan-specificities for the visualization of glycosylation pattern changes in the respiratory tract of SARS-CoV-2 infected Golden Syrian hamsters. While some lectins (LEL, STL) enable the visualization of the damage to alveolar type 1 pneumocytes, other lectins, e.g., GSLI, visualized the loss and subsequent hyperplasia of type 2 pneumocytes. UEAI staining was co-localized with KI67, a proliferation marker. Double staining of lectins LEL, STL and WGA with specific immune cell markers (Iba1, CD68) showed co-localization and the dominant infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages into infected alveolar tissue. The elucidation of the glycosylation pattern of the respiratory tract cells in uninfected and infected Golden Syrian hamsters revealed physiological and pathological aspects of the disease that may open new possibilities for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea-Adriana Barlang
- Preclinical Safety, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstraße, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 8133 Munich, Germany.
| | - Björn-Patrick Mohl
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claudia Blaurock
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sophia Harder
- Preclinical Safety, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstraße, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Olivia M Merkel
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Butenandtstraße 5-13, 8133 Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Popp
- Preclinical Safety, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstraße, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
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24
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Yuan M, Han Z, Liang Y, Sun Y, He B, Chen W, Li F. mRNA nanodelivery systems: targeting strategies and administration routes. Biomater Res 2023; 27:90. [PMID: 37740246 PMCID: PMC10517595 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00425-3] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
With the great success of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, mRNA therapeutics have gained significant momentum for the prevention and treatment of various refractory diseases. To function efficiently in vivo and overcome clinical limitations, mRNA demands safe and stable vectors and a reasonable administration route, bypassing multiple biological barriers and achieving organ-specific targeted delivery of mRNA. Nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems representing leading vector approaches ensure the successful intracellular delivery of mRNA to the target organ. In this review, chemical modifications of mRNA and various types of advanced mRNA NPs, including lipid NPs and polymers are summarized. The importance of passive targeting, especially endogenous targeting, and active targeting in mRNA nano-delivery is emphasized, and different cellular endocytic mechanisms are discussed. Most importantly, based on the above content and the physiological structure characteristics of various organs in vivo, the design strategies of mRNA NPs targeting different organs and cells are classified and discussed. Furthermore, the influence of administration routes on targeting design is highlighted. Finally, an outlook on the remaining challenges and future development toward mRNA targeted therapies and precision medicine is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujie Yuan
- Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Zeyu Han
- Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266073, China
| | - Bin He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Wantao Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head & Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China.
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25
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Chau A, Edwards CER, Helgeson ME, Pitenis AA. Designing Superlubricious Hydrogels from Spontaneous Peroxidation Gradients. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:43075-43086. [PMID: 37650860 PMCID: PMC10510045 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are hydrated three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers that are commonly used in the biomedical industry due to their mechanical and structural tunability, biocompatibility, and similar water content to biological tissues. The surface structure of hydrogels polymerized through free-radical polymerization can be modified by controlling environmental oxygen concentrations, leading to the formation of a polymer concentration gradient. In this work, 17.5 wt % polyacrylamide hydrogels are polymerized in low (0.01 mol % O2) and high (20 mol % O2) oxygen environments, and their mechanical and tribological properties are characterized through microindentation, nanoindentation, and tribological sliding experiments. Without significantly reducing the elastic modulus of the hydrogel (E* ≈ 200 kPa), we demonstrate an order of magnitude reduction in friction coefficient (from μ = 0.021 ± 0.006 to μ = 0.002 ± 0.001) by adjusting polymerization conditions (e.g., oxygen concentration). A quantitative analytical model based on polyacrylamide chemistry and kinetics was developed to estimate the thickness and structure of the monomer conversion gradient, termed the "surface gel layer". We find that polymerizing hydrogels at high oxygen concentrations leads to the formation of a preswollen surface gel layer that is approximately five times thicker (t ≈ 50 μm) and four times less concentrated (≈ 6% monomer conversion) at the surface prior to swelling compared to low oxygen environments (t ≈ 10 μm, ≈ 20% monomer conversion). Our model could be readily modified to predict the preswollen concentration profile of the polyacrylamide gel surface layer for any reaction conditions─monomer and initiator concentration, oxygen concentration, reaction time, and reaction media depth─or used to select conditions that correspond to a certain desired surface gel layer profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison
L. Chau
- Materials
Department, University of California, Santa
Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Materials
Research Laboratory, University of California,
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Chelsea E. R. Edwards
- Materials
Research Laboratory, University of California,
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California,
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Matthew E. Helgeson
- Materials
Research Laboratory, University of California,
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of California,
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Angela A. Pitenis
- Materials
Department, University of California, Santa
Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Materials
Research Laboratory, University of California,
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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26
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Bustos NA, Ribbeck K, Wagner CE. The role of mucosal barriers in disease progression and transmission. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 200:115008. [PMID: 37442240 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Mucus is a biological hydrogel that coats and protects all non-keratinized wet epithelial surfaces. Mucins, the primary structural components of mucus, are critical components of the gel layer that protect against invading pathogens. For communicable diseases, pathogen-mucin interactions contribute to the pathogen's fate and the potential for disease progression in-host, as well as the potential for onward transmission. We begin by reviewing in-host mucus filtering mechanisms, including size filtering and interaction filtering, which regulate the permeability of mucus barriers to all molecules including pathogens. Next, we discuss the role of mucins in communicable diseases at the point of transmission (i.e. how the encapsulation of pathogens in emitted mucosal droplets externally to hosts may modulate pathogen infectivity and viability). Overall, mucosal barriers modulate both host susceptibility as well as the dynamics of population-level disease transmission. The study of mucins and their use in models and experimental systems are therefore crucial for understanding the mechanistic biophysical principles underlying disease transmission and the early stages of host infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Bustos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katharina Ribbeck
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Caroline E Wagner
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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27
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Naas S, Krüger R, Knaup KX, Naas J, Grampp S, Schiffer M, Wiesener M, Schödel J. Hypoxia controls expression of kidney-pathogenic MUC1 variants. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302078. [PMID: 37316299 PMCID: PMC10267510 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302078] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between genetic and environmental factors influences the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this context, genetic alterations in the kidney disease gene MUC1 (Mucin1) predispose to the development of CKD. These variations comprise the polymorphism rs4072037, which alters splicing of MUC1 mRNA, the length of a region with variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), and rare autosomal-dominant inherited dominant-negative mutations in or 5' to the VNTR that causes autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD-MUC1). As hypoxia plays a pivotal role in states of acute and chronic kidney injury, we explored the effects of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) on the expression of MUC1 and its pathogenic variants in isolated primary human renal tubular cells. We defined a HIF-binding DNA regulatory element in the promoter-proximal region of MUC1 from which hypoxia or treatment with HIF stabilizers, which were recently approved for an anti-anemic therapy in CKD patients, increased levels of wild-type MUC1 and the disease-associated variants. Thus, application of these compounds might exert unfavorable effects in patients carrying MUC1 risk variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Naas
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - René Krüger
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karl Xaver Knaup
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Naas
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna (CIBIV), Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Steffen Grampp
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mario Schiffer
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Wiesener
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Schödel
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Uniklinikum Erlangen und Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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28
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Sabo MC, Thuong NTT, Chang X, Ardiansyah E, Tram TTB, Hai HT, Nghia HDT, Bang ND, Dian S, Ganiem AR, Shaporifar S, Kumar V, Li Z, Hibberd M, Khor CC, Thwaites GE, Heemskerk D, van Laarhoven A, van Crevel R, Dunstan SJ, Shah JA. MUC5AC Genetic Variation Is Associated With Tuberculous Meningitis Cerebral Spinal Fluid Cytokine Responses and Mortality. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:343-352. [PMID: 36823694 PMCID: PMC10420404 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lung mucins MUC5B and MUC5AC are associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis outcomes. METHODS Independent SNPs in MUC5B and MUC5AC (genotyped by Illumina HumanOmniExpress array) were assessed for associations with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) concentrations (measured by immunoassay) in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients. SNPs associated with CSF TNF concentrations were carried forward for analyses of pulmonary and meningeal tuberculosis susceptibility and TBM mortality. RESULTS MUC5AC SNP rs28737416 T allele was associated with lower CSF concentrations of TNF (P = 1.8 × 10-8) and IFN-γ (P = 2.3 × 10-6). In an additive genetic model, rs28737416 T/T genotype was associated with higher susceptibility to TBM (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.49; P = .02), but not pulmonary tuberculosis (OR, 1.11, 95% CI, .98-1.25; P = .10). TBM mortality was higher among participants with the rs28737416 T/T and T/C genotypes (35/119, 30.4%) versus the C/C genotype (11/89, 12.4%; log-rank P = .005) in a Vietnam discovery cohort (n = 210), an independent Vietnam validation cohort (n = 87; 9/87, 19.1% vs 1/20, 2.5%; log-rank P = .02), and an Indonesia validation cohort (n = 468, 127/287, 44.3% vs 65/181, 35.9%; log-rank P = .06). CONCLUSIONS MUC5AC variants may contribute to immune changes that influence TBM outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Sabo
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nguyen T T Thuong
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xuling Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Trinh T B Tram
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Hoang T Hai
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Ho D T Nghia
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen D Bang
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
| | - Sofiati Dian
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A Rizal Ganiem
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Shima Shaporifar
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Zheng Li
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin Hibberd
- London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Guy E Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothee Heemskerk
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sarah J Dunstan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Javeed A Shah
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, Washington, USA
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29
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Albano GD, Montalbano AM, Gagliardo R, Profita M. Autophagy/Mitophagy in Airway Diseases: Impact of Oxidative Stress on Epithelial Cells. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1217. [PMID: 37627282 PMCID: PMC10452925 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is the key process by which the cell degrades parts of itself within the lysosomes. It maintains cell survival and homeostasis by removing molecules (particularly proteins), subcellular organelles, damaged cytoplasmic macromolecules, and by recycling the degradation products. The selective removal or degradation of mitochondria is a particular type of autophagy called mitophagy. Various forms of cellular stress (oxidative stress (OS), hypoxia, pathogen infections) affect autophagy by inducing free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation to promote the antioxidant response. Dysfunctional mechanisms of autophagy have been found in different respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and asthma, involving epithelial cells. Several existing clinically approved drugs may modulate autophagy to varying extents. However, these drugs are nonspecific and not currently utilized to manipulate autophagy in airway diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of different autophagic pathways with particular attention on the dysfunctional mechanisms of autophagy in the epithelial cells during asthma and COPD. Our aim is to further deepen and disclose the research in this direction to stimulate the develop of new and selective drugs to regulate autophagy for asthma and COPD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Daniela Albano
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Section of Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy; (A.M.M.); (R.G.); (M.P.)
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30
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Kohout VR, Wardzala CL, Kramer JR. Mirror Image Mucins and Thio Mucins with Tunable Biodegradation. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:16573-16583. [PMID: 37473442 PMCID: PMC11080933 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03659] [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] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Mucin glycoproteins are the major component of mucus and are integral to the cellular glycocalyx. Mucins play diverse roles in health and disease, are an important element in epithelial tissue models, and have broad therapeutic potential. All mucin applications are currently challenged by their inherent structural heterogeneity and degradation by proteases. In this study, we describe the synthesis and study of chemically defined mucin analogues bearing native glycans. We utilized combinations of enantiomer amino acids and glycan thioether linkages to achieve tunable proteolysis while maintaining cytocompatibility and binding activity. Structural characterization revealed a previously unknown mirror-image helix and sheds light on the molecular drivers of glycoprotein conformation. This work represents an important step toward the development of artificial mucins for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria R Kohout
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Casia L Wardzala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Jessica R Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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31
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Rossy T, Distler T, Meirelles LA, Pezoldt J, Kim J, Talà L, Bouklas N, Deplancke B, Persat A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa type IV pili actively induce mucus contraction to form biofilms in tissue-engineered human airways. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002209. [PMID: 37527210 PMCID: PMC10393179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes antibiotic-recalcitrant pneumonia by forming biofilms in the respiratory tract. Despite extensive in vitro experimentation, how P. aeruginosa forms biofilms at the airway mucosa is unresolved. To investigate the process of biofilm formation in realistic conditions, we developed AirGels: 3D, optically accessible tissue-engineered human lung models that emulate the airway mucosal environment. AirGels recapitulate important factors that mediate host-pathogen interactions including mucus secretion, flow and air-liquid interface (ALI), while accommodating high-resolution live microscopy. With AirGels, we investigated the contributions of mucus to P. aeruginosa biofilm biogenesis in in vivo-like conditions. We found that P. aeruginosa forms mucus-associated biofilms within hours by contracting luminal mucus early during colonization. Mucus contractions facilitate aggregation, thereby nucleating biofilms. We show that P. aeruginosa actively contracts mucus using retractile filaments called type IV pili. Our results therefore suggest that, while protecting epithelia, mucus constitutes a breeding ground for biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Rossy
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tania Distler
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucas A Meirelles
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joern Pezoldt
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jaemin Kim
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Lorenzo Talà
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Bouklas
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Bart Deplancke
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Persat
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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32
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Shah BK, Singh B, Wang Y, Xie S, Wang C. Mucus Hypersecretion in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Its Treatment. Mediators Inflamm 2023; 2023:8840594. [PMID: 37457746 PMCID: PMC10344637 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8840594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Most patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present with hallmark features of airway mucus hypersecretion, including cough and expectoration. Airway mucus function as a native immune system of the lung that severs to trap particulate matter and pathogens and allows them to clear from the lung via cough and ciliary transport. Chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH) is the main factor contributing to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality in specific subsets of COPD patients. It is, therefore, primarily important to develop medications that suppress mucus hypersecretions in these patients. Although there have been some advances in COPD treatment, more work remains to be done to better understand the mechanism underlying airway mucus hypersecretion and seek more effective treatments. This review article discusses the structure and significance of mucus in the lungs focusing on gel-forming mucins and the impacts of CMH in the lungs. Furthermore, we summarize the article with pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments as well as novel and interventional procedures to control CMH in COPD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binay Kumar Shah
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bivek Singh
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yukun Wang
- Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuanshuan Xie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Changhui Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
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Kartjito MS, Yosia M, Wasito E, Soloan G, Agussalim AF, Basrowi RW. Defining the Relationship of Gut Microbiota, Immunity, and Cognition in Early Life-A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:2642. [PMID: 37375546 DOI: 10.3390/nu15122642] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the immune system has been identified as one of the possible main bridges which connect the gut-brain axis. This review aims to examine available evidence on the microbiota-immunity-cognitive relationship and its possible effects on human health early in life. This review was assembled by compiling and analyzing various literature and publications that document the gut microbiota-immune system-cognition interaction and its implications in the pediatric population. This review shows that the gut microbiota is a pivotal component of gut physiology, with its development being influenced by a variety of factors and, in return, supports the development of overall health. Findings from current research focus on the complex relationship between the central nervous system, gut (along with gut microbiota), and immune cells, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced interaction among these systems for preserving homeostasis, and demonstrating the influence of gut microbes on neurogenesis, myelin formation, the potential for dysbiosis, and alterations in immune and cognitive functions. While limited, evidence shows how gut microbiota affects innate and adaptive immunity as well as cognition (through HPA axis, metabolites, vagal nerve, neurotransmitter, and myelination).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikhael Yosia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Erika Wasito
- Medical and Science Affairs Division, Danone Specialized Nutrition Indonesia, Jakarta 12950, Indonesia
| | - Garry Soloan
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | | | - Ray Wagiu Basrowi
- Medical and Science Affairs Division, Danone Specialized Nutrition Indonesia, Jakarta 12950, Indonesia
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Abstract
Type 2 immunity mediates protective responses to helminths and pathological responses to allergens, but it also has broad roles in the maintenance of tissue integrity, including wound repair. Type 2 cytokines are known to promote fibrosis, an overzealous repair response, but their contribution to healthy wound repair is less well understood. This review discusses the evidence that the canonical type 2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, are integral to the tissue repair process through two main pathways. First, essential for the progression of effective tissue repair, IL-4 and IL-13 suppress the initial inflammatory response to injury. Second, these cytokines regulate how the extracellular matrix is modified, broken down, and rebuilt for effective repair. IL-4 and/or IL-13 amplifies multiple aspects of the tissue repair response, but many of these pathways are highly redundant and can be induced by other signals. Therefore, the exact contribution of IL-4Rα signaling remains difficult to unravel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith E Allen
- Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Inflammation and Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom;
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35
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Ferreira LMB, Cardoso VMO, Dos Santos Pedriz I, Souza MPC, Ferreira NN, Chorilli M, Gremião MPD, Zucolotto V. Understanding mucus modulation behavior of chitosan oligomers and dextran sulfate combining light scattering and calorimetric observations. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 306:120613. [PMID: 36746564 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the fundamental understanding of mucus-modulatory strategies combining charged biopolymers with distinct molecular weights and surface charges. Here, key biophysical evidence supports that low-molecular-weight (Mw) polycation chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs) and high-Mw polyanion dextran sulfate (DS) exhibit distinct thermodynamic signatures upon interaction with mucin (MUC), the main protein of mucus. While the COS → MUC microcalorimetric titrations released ~14 kcal/mol and ~60 kcal/mol, the DS → MUC titrations released ~1200 and ~1450 kcal/mol at pH of 4.5 and 6.8, respectively. The MPT-2 titrations of COS → MUC and DS → MUC indicated a greater zeta potential variation at pH = 4.5 (relative variation = 815 % and 351 %, respectively) than at pH = 6.8 (relative variation = 282 % and 136 %, respectively). Further, the resultant binary (COS-MUC) and ternary (COS-DS-MUC) complexes showed opposite behavior (aggregation and charge inversion events) according to the pH environment. Most importantly, the results indicate that electrostatics could not be the driving force that governs COS-MUC interactions. To account for this finding, we proposed a two-level abstraction model. Macro features emerge collectively from individual interactions occurring at the molecular level. Therefore, to understand the outcomes of mucus modulatory strategy based on charged biopolymers it is necessary to integrate both visions into the same picture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo M B Ferreira
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), 13566-590 São Carlos, Brazil.
| | - Valéria M O Cardoso
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), 13566-590 São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Igor Dos Santos Pedriz
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), 13566-590 São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Maurício P C Souza
- Department of Drugs and Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-903 Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Natália N Ferreira
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), 13566-590 São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Marlus Chorilli
- Department of Drugs and Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-903 Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria P D Gremião
- Department of Drugs and Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 14800-903 Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Valtencir Zucolotto
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), 13566-590 São Carlos, Brazil
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36
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Tang X, Zhou J, Koski TM, Liu S, Zhao L, Sun J. Hypoxia-induced tracheal elasticity in vector beetle facilitates the loading of pinewood nematode. eLife 2023; 12:84621. [PMID: 36995744 PMCID: PMC10063229 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84621] [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: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens rely on their insect vectors for transmission. Such pathogens are under selection to improve vector competence for their transmission by employing various tissue or cellular responses of vectors. However, whether pathogens can actively cause hypoxia in vectors and exploit hypoxia responses to promote their vector competence is still unknown. Fast dispersal of pinewood nematode (PWN), the causal agent for the destructive pine wilt disease and subsequent infection of pine trees, is characterized by the high vector competence of pine sawyer beetles (Monochamus spp.), and a single beetle can harbor over 200,000 PWNs in its tracheal system. Here, we demonstrate that PWN loading activates hypoxia in tracheal system of the vector beetles. Both PWN loading and hypoxia enhanced tracheal elasticity and thickened the apical extracellular matrix (aECM) of the tracheal tubes while a notable upregulated expression of a resilin-like mucin protein Muc91C was observed at the aECM layer of PWN-loaded and hypoxic tracheal tubes. RNAi knockdown of Muc91C reduced tracheal elasticity and aECM thickness under hypoxia conditions and thus decreasing PWN loading. Our study suggests a crucial role of hypoxia-induced developmental responses in shaping vector tolerance to the pathogen and provides clues for potential molecular targets to control pathogen dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tuuli-Marjaana Koski
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Shiyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lilin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding, China
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37
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Wu CM, Wheeler KM, Cárcamo-Oyarce G, Aoki K, McShane A, Datta SS, Mark Welch JL, Tiemeyer M, Griffen AL, Ribbeck K. Mucin glycans drive oral microbial community composition and function. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:11. [PMID: 36959210 PMCID: PMC10036478 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Human microbiome composition is closely tied to health, but how the host manages its microbial inhabitants remains unclear. One important, but understudied, factor is the natural host environment: mucus, which contains gel-forming glycoproteins (mucins) that display hundreds of glycan structures with potential regulatory function. Leveraging a tractable culture-based system to study how mucins influence oral microbial communities, we found that mucin glycans enable the coexistence of diverse microbes, while resisting disease-associated compositional shifts. Mucins from tissues with unique glycosylation differentially tuned microbial composition, as did isolated mucin glycan libraries, uncovering the importance of specific glycan patterns in microbiome modulation. We found that mucins shape microbial communities in several ways: serving as nutrients to support metabolic diversity, organizing spatial structure through reduced aggregation, and possibly limiting antagonism between competing taxa. Overall, this work identifies mucin glycans as a natural host mechanism and potential therapeutic intervention to maintain healthy microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe M Wu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kelsey M Wheeler
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Microbiology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gerardo Cárcamo-Oyarce
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Abigail McShane
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sujit S Datta
- Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Michael Tiemeyer
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ann L Griffen
- Department of Dentistry, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Divisions of Biosciences and Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katharina Ribbeck
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Silva S, Bicker J, Falcão A, Fortuna A. Air-liquid interface (ALI) impact on different respiratory cell cultures. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 184:62-82. [PMID: 36696943 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The intranasal route has been receiving greater attention from the scientific community not only for systemic drug delivery but also for the treatment of pulmonary and neurological diseases. Along with it, drug transport and permeability studies across the nasal mucosa have exponentially increased. Nevertheless, the translation of data from in vitro cell lines to in vivo studies is not always reliable, due to the difficulty in generating an in vitro model that resembles respiratory human physiology. Among all currently available methodologies, the air-liquid interface (ALI) method is advantageous to promote cell differentiation and optimize the morphological and histological characteristics of airway epithelium cells. Cells grown under ALI conditions, in alternative to submerged conditions, appear to provide relevant input for inhalation and pulmonary toxicology and complement in vivo experiments. Different methodologies and a variety of materials have been used to induce ALI conditions in primary cells and numerous cell lines. Until this day, with only exploratory results, no consensus has been reached regarding the validation of the ALI method, hampering data comparison. The present review describes the most adequate cell models of airway epithelium and how these models are differently affected by ALI conditions. It includes the evaluation of cellular features before and after ALI, and the application of the method in primary cell cultures, commercial 3D primary cells, cell lines and stem-cell derived models. A variety of these models have been recently applied for pharmacological studies against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus(-2) SARS-CoV(-2), namely primary cultures with alveolar type II epithelium cells and organotypic 3D models. The herein compiled data suggest that ALI conditions must be optimized bearing in mind the type of cells (nasal, bronchial, alveolar), their origin and the objective of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Bicker
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Amílcar Falcão
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Fortuna
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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39
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Yadav K, Rana VS, Anjali, Saurav GK, Rawat N, Kumar A, Sunil S, Singh OP, Rajagopal R. Mucin Protein of Aedes aegypti Interacts with Dengue Virus 2 and Influences Viral Infection. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0250322. [PMID: 36847498 PMCID: PMC10101019 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02503-22] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue, caused by dengue virus (DENV), is the most prevalent vector-borne viral disease, posing a serious health concern to 2.5 billion people worldwide. DENV is primarily transmitted among humans by its mosquito vector Aedes aegypti; hence, the identification of a novel dengue virus receptor in mosquitoes is critical for the development of new anti-mosquito measures. In the current study, we have identified peptides which potentially interact with the surface of the virion particles and facilitate virus infection and movement during their life cycle in the mosquito vector. To identify these candidate proteins, we performed phage-display library screening against domain III of the envelope protein (EDIII), which plays an essential role during host cell receptor binding for viral entry. The mucin protein, which shared sequence similarity with the peptide identified in the screening, was cloned, expressed, and purified for in vitro interaction studies. Using in vitro pulldown and virus overlay protein-binding assay (VOPBA), we confirmed the positive interaction of mucin with purified EDIII and whole virion particles. Finally, blocking of mucin protein with anti-mucin antibodies partially reduced DENV titers in infected mosquitos. Moreover, mucin protein was found to be localized in the midgut of Ae. aegypti. IMPORTANCE Identification of interacting protein partners of DENV in the insect vector Aedes aegypti is crucial for designing vector control-based strategies and for understanding the molecular mechanism DENV uses to modulate the host, gain entry, and survive successfully. Similar proteins can be used in generating transmission-blocking vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuna Yadav
- Gut Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Vipin Singh Rana
- Gut Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Anjali
- Gut Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Gunjan Kumar Saurav
- Gut Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
- Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - Nitish Rawat
- Gut Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Ankit Kumar
- Vector Borne Disease Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Sujatha Sunil
- Vector Borne Disease Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Om P. Singh
- National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Raman Rajagopal
- Gut Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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40
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Sutherland TE, Dyer DP, Allen JE. The extracellular matrix and the immune system: A mutually dependent relationship. Science 2023; 379:eabp8964. [PMID: 36795835 DOI: 10.1126/science.abp8964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
For decades, immunologists have studied the role of circulating immune cells in host protection, with a more recent appreciation of immune cells resident within the tissue microenvironment and the intercommunication between nonhematopoietic cells and immune cells. However, the extracellular matrix (ECM), which comprises at least a third of tissue structures, remains relatively underexplored in immunology. Similarly, matrix biologists often overlook regulation of complex structural matrices by the immune system. We are only beginning to understand the scale at which ECM structures determine immune cell localization and function. Additionally, we need to better understand how immune cells dictate ECM complexity. This review aims to highlight the potential for biological discovery at the interface of immunology and matrix biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara E Sutherland
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Center, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Dentistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Douglas P Dyer
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Center, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, University of Manchester, Salford M6 8HD, UK
| | - Judith E Allen
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Center, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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41
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Wagner CE, Krupkin M, Smith-Dupont KB, Wu CM, Bustos NA, Witten J, Ribbeck K. Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of Native Mucus and Reconstituted Mucin Gels. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:628-639. [PMID: 36727870 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Simulating native mucus with model systems such as gels made from reconstituted mucin or commercially available polymers presents experimental advantages including greater sample availability and reduced inter- and intradonor heterogeneity. Understanding whether these gels reproduce the complex physical and biochemical properties of native mucus at multiple length scales is critical to building relevant experimental models, but few systematic comparisons have been reported. Here, we compared bulk mechanical properties, microstructure, and biochemical responses of mucus from different niches, reconstituted mucin gels (with similar pH and polymer concentrations as native tissues), and commonly used commercially available polymers. To evaluate gel properties across these length scales, we used small-amplitude oscillatory shear, single-particle tracking, and microaffinity chromatography with small analytes. With the exception of human saliva, the mechanical response of mucin gels was qualitatively similar to that of native mucus. The transport behavior of charged peptides through native mucus gels was qualitatively reproduced in gels composed of corresponding isolated mucins. Compared to native mucus, we observed substantial differences in the physicochemical properties of gels reconstituted from commercially available mucins and the substitute carboxymethylcellulose, which is currently used in artificial tear and saliva treatments. Our study highlights the importance of selecting a mucus model system guided by the length scale relevant to the scientific investigation or disease application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Wagner
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Miri Krupkin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Kathryn B Smith-Dupont
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Chloe M Wu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Nicole A Bustos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Jacob Witten
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States.,Computational and Systems Biology Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Katharina Ribbeck
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
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42
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Chongsaritsinsuk J, Steigmeyer AD, Mahoney KE, Rosenfeld MA, Lucas TM, Ince D, Kearns FL, Battison AS, Hollenhorst MA, Shon DJ, Tiemeyer KH, Attah V, Kwon C, Bertozzi CR, Ferracane MJ, Amaro RE, Malaker SA. Glycoproteomic landscape and structural dynamics of TIM family immune checkpoints enabled by mucinase SmE. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.01.526488. [PMID: 36778266 PMCID: PMC9915616 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.526488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Mucin-domain glycoproteins are densely O-glycosylated and play critical roles in a host of biological functions. In particular, the T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing family of proteins (TIM-1, -3, -4) decorate immune cells and act as key checkpoint inhibitors in cancer. However, their dense O-glycosylation remains enigmatic both in terms of glycoproteomic landscape and structural dynamics, primarily due to the challenges associated with studying mucin domains. Here, we present a mucinase (SmE) and demonstrate its ability to selectively cleave along the mucin glycoprotein backbone, similar to others of its kind. Unlike other mucinases, though, SmE harbors the unique ability to cleave at residues bearing extremely complex glycans which enabled improved mass spectrometric analysis of several mucins, including the entire TIM family. With this information in-hand, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of TIM-3 and -4 to demonstrate how glycosylation affects structural features of these proteins. Overall, we present a powerful workflow to better understand the detailed molecular structures of the mucinome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Keira E. Mahoney
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Mia A. Rosenfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Taryn M. Lucas
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Deniz Ince
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Fiona L. Kearns
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Marie A. Hollenhorst
- Department of Chemistry and Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - D. Judy Shon
- Department of Chemistry and Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Katherine H. Tiemeyer
- Department of Chemistry and Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Victor Attah
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Catherine Kwon
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Carolyn R. Bertozzi
- Department of Chemistry and Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Rommie E. Amaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Stacy A. Malaker
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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43
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Wang BX, Takagi J, McShane A, Park JH, Aoki K, Griffin C, Teschler J, Kitts G, Minzer G, Tiemeyer M, Hevey R, Yildiz F, Ribbeck K. Host-derived O-glycans inhibit toxigenic conversion by a virulence-encoding phage in Vibrio cholerae. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111562. [PMID: 36504455 PMCID: PMC9890226 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pandemic and endemic strains of Vibrio cholerae arise from toxigenic conversion by the CTXφ bacteriophage, a process by which CTXφ infects nontoxigenic strains of V. cholerae. CTXφ encodes the cholera toxin, an enterotoxin responsible for the watery diarrhea associated with cholera infections. Despite the critical role of CTXφ during infections, signals that affect CTXφ-driven toxigenic conversion or expression of the CTXφ-encoded cholera toxin remain poorly characterized, particularly in the context of the gut mucosa. Here, we identify mucin polymers as potent regulators of CTXφ-driven pathogenicity in V. cholerae. Our results indicate that mucin-associated O-glycans block toxigenic conversion by CTXφ and suppress the expression of CTXφ-related virulence factors, including the toxin co-regulated pilus and cholera toxin, by interfering with the TcpP/ToxR/ToxT virulence pathway. By synthesizing individual mucin glycan structures de novo, we identify the Core 2 motif as the critical structure governing this virulence attenuation. Overall, our results highlight a novel mechanism by which mucins and their associated O-glycan structures affect CTXφ-mediated evolution and pathogenicity of V. cholerae, underscoring the potential regulatory power housed within mucus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin X Wang
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Julie Takagi
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
- Department of BiologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Abigail McShane
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Jin Hwan Park
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCAUSA
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Complex Carbohydrate Research CenterUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
| | - Catherine Griffin
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Jennifer Teschler
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCAUSA
| | - Giordan Kitts
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCAUSA
| | - Giulietta Minzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Michael Tiemeyer
- Complex Carbohydrate Research CenterUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
| | - Rachel Hevey
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Fitnat Yildiz
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental ToxicologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCAUSA
| | - Katharina Ribbeck
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
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Park S, Chin-Hun Kuo J, Reesink HL, Paszek MJ. Recombinant mucin biotechnology and engineering. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 193:114618. [PMID: 36375719 PMCID: PMC10253230 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Mucins represent a largely untapped class of polymeric building block for biomaterials, therapeutics, and other biotechnology. Because the mucin polymer backbone is genetically encoded, sequence-specific mucins with defined physical and biochemical properties can be fabricated using recombinant technologies. The pendent O-glycans of mucins are increasingly implicated in immunomodulation, suppression of pathogen virulence, and other biochemical activities. Recent advances in engineered cell production systems are enabling the scalable synthesis of recombinant mucins with precisely tuned glycan side chains, offering exciting possibilities to tune the biological functionality of mucin-based products. New metabolic and chemoenzymatic strategies enable further tuning and functionalization of mucin O-glycans, opening new possibilities to expand the chemical diversity and functionality of mucin building blocks. In this review, we discuss these advances, and the opportunities for engineered mucins in biomedical applications ranging from in vitro models to therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangwoo Park
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Joe Chin-Hun Kuo
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Heidi L Reesink
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Paszek
- Field of Biophysics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Cheng J, Kolba N, Tako E. The effect of dietary zinc and zinc physiological status on the composition of the gut microbiome in vivo. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2023:1-20. [PMID: 36688291 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2023.2169857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Zinc serves critical catalytic, regulatory, and structural roles. Hosts and their resident gut microbiota both require zinc, leading to competition, where a balance must be maintained. This systematic review examined evidence on dietary zinc and physiological status (zinc deficiency or high zinc/zinc overload) effects on gut microbiota. This review was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021250566). PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for in vivo (animal) studies, resulting in eight selected studies. Study quality limitations were evaluated using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool and according to ARRIVE guidelines. The results demonstrated that zinc deficiency led to inconsistent changes in α-diversity and short-chain fatty acid production but led to alterations in bacterial taxa with functions in carbohydrate metabolism, glycan metabolism, and intestinal mucin degradation. High dietary zinc/zinc overload generally resulted in either unchanged or decreased α-diversity, decreased short-chain fatty acid production, and increased bacterial metal resistance and antibiotic resistance genes. Additional studies in human and animal models are needed to further understand zinc physiological status effects on the intestinal microbiome and clarify the applicability of utilizing the gut microbiome as a potential zinc status biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn Cheng
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Nikolai Kolba
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Elad Tako
- Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Ilani T, Reznik N, Yeshaya N, Feldman T, Vilela P, Lansky Z, Javitt G, Shemesh M, Brenner O, Elkis Y, Varsano N, Jaramillo AM, Evans CM, Fass D. The disulfide catalyst QSOX1 maintains the colon mucosal barrier by regulating Golgi glycosyltransferases. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111869. [PMID: 36245281 PMCID: PMC9841341 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucus is made of enormous mucin glycoproteins that polymerize by disulfide crosslinking in the Golgi apparatus. QSOX1 is a catalyst of disulfide bond formation localized to the Golgi. Both QSOX1 and mucins are highly expressed in goblet cells of mucosal tissues, leading to the hypothesis that QSOX1 catalyzes disulfide-mediated mucin polymerization. We found that knockout mice lacking QSOX1 had impaired mucus barrier function due to production of defective mucus. However, an investigation on the molecular level revealed normal disulfide-mediated polymerization of mucins and related glycoproteins. Instead, we detected a drastic decrease in sialic acid in the gut mucus glycome of the QSOX1 knockout mice, leading to the discovery that QSOX1 forms regulatory disulfides in Golgi glycosyltransferases. Sialylation defects in the colon are known to cause colitis in humans. Here we show that QSOX1 redox control of sialylation is essential for maintaining mucosal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Ilani
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nava Reznik
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noa Yeshaya
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tal Feldman
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Patrick Vilela
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Zipora Lansky
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gabriel Javitt
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Shemesh
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ori Brenner
- Department of Veterinary Resources, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Neta Varsano
- Department of Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ana M Jaramillo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Christopher M Evans
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deborah Fass
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Mucus adhesion vs. mucus penetration? Screening nanomaterials for nasal inhalation by MD simulation. J Control Release 2023; 353:366-379. [PMID: 36462640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nanocarrier-aided drug delivery techniques have improved the absorption and permeability of drugs in nose-to-brain delivery. However, the molecular properties of nanocarriers during the delivery process are of great interest; in particular, the characteristics when penetrating barriers in vivo are crucial for the screening and optimization of materials for nasal inhalation. In this study, we have focused on two types of delivery systems: mucoadhesive nanoparticles (MAPs) and mucopenetrating nanoparticles (MPPs); both have been widely used for mucosal delivery, although a method for selecting the more effective type of drug carriers for mucosal delivery has not been established. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to reveal the all-atom dynamic characteristics of the interaction between different delivery systems and the nasal mucus protein MUC5AC. Among the systems tested, hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HTCC) had the strongest interaction with mucin, suggesting it had better mucoadhesive performance, and that it interacted with MUC5AC more strongly than unmodified chitosan. In contrast, the mucus-penetrating material polyethylene glycol-poly lactic acid-co-glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA), had almost no interaction with MUC5AC. The results of the MD simulations were verified by in vitro experiments on nanoparticles (NPs) and mucin binding. The drug delivery performance of the four types of NPs, analyzed by in vitro and ex vivo mucosal penetration, were all generally consistent with the properties of the material predicted from the MD simulation. These clues to the molecular mechanism of MAPs and MPPs may provide useful insight into the screening and optimization of nanomaterials suitable for nasal inhalation.
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Deswal G, Selwal MK, Nirvan H, Selwal KK. Priestia flexa KS1: A new bacterial strain isolated from human faeces implicated in mucin degradation. Int Microbiol 2022:10.1007/s10123-022-00312-2. [PMID: 36502447 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-022-00312-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The human gut acts as a habitat for diverse microbial communities, including mucin utilizers that play a significant role in host health and diseases. In this study, a gram-positive, rod-shaped mucin degrading bacterium was isolated from human faeces that belonged to the Priestia flexa species. Priestia isolate was analyzed for mucin-degrading ability and found that the KS1 strain could grow on mucin as the sole carbon source. The experimental results of the mucolytic zone around the colony and a 58% decrease in carbohydrate concentration confirmed the ability of Priestia to degrade mucin. The intracellular and extracellular glycosidase assay data supported the above results suggesting the ability of P. flexa to produce glycan hydrolysis enzymes that convert complex mucin oligosaccharide chains into simple glycans. The survival ability of the KS1 strain in simulated gastrointestinal conditions revealed that it could tolerate low pH (≥ 50% cell viability at pH 1.0) and 0.5% bile salt concentration (≥ 85% cell viability). The strain showed low hydrophobicity towards n-hexadecane (26.51 ± 0.92%) and xylene (21.71 ± 0.54%). Moreover, the KS1 culture was resistant to cefixime, clavulanic acid/ceftazidime, nafallin, methicillin, trimethoprim, kanamycin, and nalidixic antibiotic. Our results highlight the isolation of P. flexa KS1 strain that degrade mucin under in vitro conditions and show its better acclimatization within the GI environment. Further studies are required to unearth the molecular mechanisms involved in the degradation of mucin oligosaccharides in the human gut, advancing our understanding of health and disease.
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Trunschke S, Piemontese E, Fuchs O, Abboud S, Seitz O. Enhancing Auxiliary-Mediated Native Chemical Ligation at Challenging Junctions with Pyridine Scaffolds. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202202065. [PMID: 36097325 PMCID: PMC10091703 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To expand the scope of native chemical ligation (NCL) beyond reactions at cysteine, ligation auxiliaries are appended to the peptide N-terminus. After the introduction of a pyridine-containing auxiliary, which provided access to challenging junctions (proline or β-branched amino acids), we herein probe the role of the pyridine-ring nitrogen. We observed side reactions leading to preliminary auxiliary loss. We describe a new easy to attach β-mercapto-β-(4-methoxy-2-pyridinyl)-ethyl (MMPyE) auxiliary, which 1) has increased stability; 2) enables NCL at sterically encumbered junctions (e. g., Leu-Val); and 3) allows removal under mildly basic (pH 8.5) conditions was introduced. The synthesis of a 120 aa long peptide containing eight MUC5AC tandem repeats via ligation of two 60mers demonstrates the usefulness. Making use of hitherto unexplored NCL to tyrosine, the MMPyE auxiliary provided access to a head-to-tail-cyclized 21-mer peptide and a His6 -tagged hexaphosphorylated peptide comprising 6 heptapeptide repeats of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Trunschke
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emanuele Piemontese
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olaf Fuchs
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Skander Abboud
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
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50
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Detwiler RE, Kramer JR. Preparation and applications of artificial mucins in biomedicine. CURRENT OPINION IN SOLID STATE & MATERIALS SCIENCE 2022; 26:101031. [PMID: 37283850 PMCID: PMC10243510 DOI: 10.1016/j.cossms.2022.101031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Mucus is an essential barrier material that separates organisms from the outside world. This slippery material regulates the transport of nutrients, drugs, gases, and pathogens toward the cell surface. The surface of the cell itself is coated in a mucus-like barrier of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Mucin glycoproteins are the primary component of mucus and the epithelial glycocalyx. Aberrant mucin production is implicated in diverse disease states from cancer and inflammation to pre-term birth and infection. Biological mucins are inherently heterogenous in structure, which has challenged understanding their molecular functions as a barrier and as biochemically active proteins. Therefore, many synthetic materials have been developed as artificial mucins with precisely tunable structures. This review highlights advances in design and synthesis of artificial mucins and their application in biomedical studies of mucin chemistry, biology, and physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Detwiler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch
Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jessica R. Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, 36 S. Wasatch
Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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