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Shangguan W, Li X, Wang Y, Huang Z, Dong Y, Feng M, Feng J. Design and Biological Evaluation of the Long-Acting C5-Inhibited Ornithodoros moubata Complement Inhibitor (OmCI) Modified with Fatty Acid. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:653-664. [PMID: 38593046 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00126] [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: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Disorder of complement response is a significant pathogenic factor causing some autoimmune and inflammation diseases. The Ornithodoros moubata Complement Inhibitor (OmCI), a small 17 kDa natural protein, was initially extracted from soft tick salivary glands. The protein was found binding to complement C5 specifically, inhibiting the activation of the complement pathway, which is a successful therapeutic basis of complement-mediated diseases. However, a short half-life due to rapid renal clearance is a common limitation of small proteins for clinical application. In this study, we extended the half-life of OmCI by modifying it with fatty acid, which was a method used to improve the pharmacokinetics of native peptides and proteins. Five OmCI mutants were initially designed, and single-site cysteine mutation was introduced to each of them. After purification, four OmCI mutants were obtained that showed similar in vitro biological activities. Three mutants of them were subsequently coupled with different fatty acids by nucleophilic substitution. In total, 15 modified derivatives were screened and tested for anticomplement activity in vitro. The results showed that coupling with fatty acid would not significantly affect their complement-inhibitory activity (CH50 and AH50). OmCIT90C-CM02 and OmCIT90C-CM05 were validated as the applicable OmCI bioconjugates for further pharmacokinetic assessments, and both showed improved plasma half-life in mice compared with unmodified OmCI (15.86, 17.96 vs 2.57 h). In summary, our data demonstrated that OmCI conjugated with fatty acid could be developed as the potential long-acting C5 complement inhibitor in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Shangguan
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203 Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203 Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Yandan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 201203 Shanghai, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, 310014 Hangzhou, China
| | - Zongqing Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 201203 Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Duomirui Biotechnology Co Ltd, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanzhen Dong
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 201203 Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Duomirui Biotechnology Co Ltd, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Meiqing Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Feng
- Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, 201203 Shanghai, China
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Kayaga EB, Wampande EM, Ekakoro JE, Okwasiimire R, Nassali A, Ochoa K, Hauser C, Ndoboli D, Havas KA. Detection of antibodies against Ornithodoros moubata salivary antigens and their association with detection of African swine fever virus in pigs slaughtered in central Uganda. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1328040. [PMID: 38605921 PMCID: PMC11007201 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1328040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction African swine fever (ASF) is an important disease of pigs in sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda and is threatening the pig population and agricultural economy of other continents. ASF virus (ASFV) can be transmitted from wild suids to domestic pigs through soft ticks of the Ornithodoros species. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between domestic pigs' O. moubata tick exposure and ASFV status. Methods Pigs were sampled from six abattoirs in the Kampala metropolitan area of Uganda from May 2021 through June 2022. Blood, serum, and tissue samples were collected. Serum was tested for antibodies against the rtTSGP1 salivary antigens of O. moubata ticks using an indirect ELISA assay. Blood and tissue samples from pigs were tested to detect ASFV using qPCR. Probability of tick exposure was categorized based on sample-to-positive ratio cut-off points. Results Out of 1,328 serum samples tested, there were 828 (62.3%) samples with a negligible probability; 369 (27.8%) with a medium probability; 90 (6.8%) with a high probability, and 41 (3.1%) with a very high probability of exposure to the O. moubata salivary antigen. There was a statistically significant association between the pigs' O. moubata exposure and ASFV status with a higher proportion of pigs having a very high probability of infection if they were ASFV positive by blood, tonsil, and lymph nodes. Discussion These results suggested that tick exposure was associated with ASFV transmission in Uganda. There were ASFV qPCR positive pigs that had no O. moubata exposure as well, which highlights that pig-to-pig and indirect contact transmission still play a significant role. This work highlights the need for further work in Uganda to investigate these transmission factors related to the O. moubata tick and ASFV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edrine B. Kayaga
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eddie M. Wampande
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John E. Ekakoro
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Rodney Okwasiimire
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Aisha Nassali
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Krista Ochoa
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Cole Hauser
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Dickson Ndoboli
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karyn A. Havas
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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Sant'Anna MRV, Pereira-Filho AA, Mendes-Sousa AF, Silva NCS, Gontijo NF, Pereira MH, Koerich LB, D'Avila Pessoa GC, Andersen J, Araujo RN. Inhibition of vertebrate complement system by hematophagous arthropods: inhibitory molecules, mechanisms, physiological roles, and applications. INSECT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38246860 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
In arthropods, hematophagy has arisen several times throughout evolution. This specialized feeding behavior offered a highly nutritious diet obtained during blood feeds. On the other hand, blood-sucking arthropods must overcome problems brought on by blood intake and digestion. Host blood complement acts on the bite site and is still active after ingestion, so complement activation is a potential threat to the host's skin feeding environment and to the arthropod gut enterocytes. During evolution, blood-sucking arthropods have selected, either in their saliva or gut, anticomplement molecules that inactivate host blood complement. This review presents an overview of the complement system and discusses the arthropod's salivary and gut anticomplement molecules studied to date, exploring their mechanism of action and other aspects related to the arthropod-host-pathogen interface. The possible therapeutic applications of arthropod's anticomplement molecules are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Roberto Vianna Sant'Anna
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Alves Pereira-Filho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Naylene Carvalho Sales Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Nelder Figueiredo Gontijo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos Horácio Pereira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Grasielle Caldas D'Avila Pessoa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - John Andersen
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricardo Nascimento Araujo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Egido JE, Dekker SO, Toner-Bartelds C, Lood C, Rooijakkers SHM, Bardoel BW, Haas PJ. Human Complement Inhibits Myophages against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Viruses 2023; 15:2211. [PMID: 38005888 PMCID: PMC10674969 DOI: 10.3390/v15112211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic bacteriophages (phages) are primarily chosen based on their in vitro bacteriolytic activity. Although anti-phage antibodies are known to inhibit phage infection, the influence of other immune system components is less well known. An important anti-bacterial and anti-viral innate immune system that may interact with phages is the complement system, a cascade of proteases that recognizes and targets invading microorganisms. In this research, we aimed to study the effects of serum components such as complement on the infectivity of different phages targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We used a fluorescence-based assay to monitor the killing of P. aeruginosa by phages of different morphotypes in the presence of human serum. Our results reveal that several myophages are inhibited by serum in a concentration-dependent way, while the activity of four podophages and one siphophage tested in this study is not affected by serum. By using specific nanobodies blocking different components of the complement cascade, we showed that activation of the classical complement pathway is a driver of phage inhibition. To determine the mechanism of inhibition, we produced bioorthogonally labeled fluorescent phages to study their binding by means of microscopy and flow cytometry. We show that phage adsorption is hampered in the presence of active complement. Our results indicate that interactions with complement may affect the in vivo activity of therapeutically administered phages. A better understanding of this phenomenon is essential to optimize the design and application of therapeutic phage cocktails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E. Egido
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Simon O. Dekker
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine Toner-Bartelds
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cédric Lood
- Laboratory of Gene Technology, Department of Biosystems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Centre of Microbial and Plants Genetics, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Suzan H. M. Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart W. Bardoel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter-Jan Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Guizzo MG, Mans B, Pienaar R, Ribeiro JMC. A comparison of Illumina and PacBio methods to build tick salivary gland transcriptomes confirms large expression of lipocalins and other salivary protein families that are not represented in available tick genomes. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102209. [PMID: 37327738 PMCID: PMC10527494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102209] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Tick saliva helps blood feeding by its antihemostatic and immunomodulatory activities. Tick salivary gland transcriptomes (sialotranscriptomes) revealed thousands of transcripts coding for putative secreted polypeptides. Hundreds of these transcripts code for groups of similar proteins, constituting protein families, such as the lipocalins and metalloproteases. However, while many of these transcriptome-derived protein sequences matches sequences predicted by tick genome assemblies, the majority are not represented in these proteomes. The diversity of these transcriptome-derived transcripts could derive from artifacts generated during assembly of short Illumina reads or derive from polymorphisms of the genes coding for these proteins. To investigate this discrepancy, we collected salivary glands from blood-feeding ticks and, from the same homogenate, made and sequenced libraries following Illumina and PacBio protocols, with the assumption that the longer PacBio reads would reveal the sequences generated by the assembly of Illumina reads. Using both Rhipicephalus zambeziensis and Ixodes scapularis ticks, we have obtained more lipocalin transcripts from the Illumina library than the PacBio library. To verify whether these unique Illumina transcripts were real, we selected 9 uniquely Illumina-derived lipocalin transcripts from I. scapularis and attempted to obtain PCR products. These were obtained and their sequences confirmed the presence of these transcripts in the I. scapularis salivary homogenate. We further compared the predicted salivary lipocalins and metalloproteases from I. scapularis sialotranscriptomes with those found in the predicted proteomes of 3 publicly available genomes of I. scapularis. Results indicate that the discrepancy between the genome and transcriptome sequences for these salivary protein families is due to a high degree of polymorphism within these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Garcia Guizzo
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Ben Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, South Africa; The Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ronel Pienaar
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Jose M C Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
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6
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van der Lans SPA, Janet-Maitre M, Masson FM, Walker KA, Doorduijn DJ, Janssen AB, van Schaik W, Attrée I, Rooijakkers SHM, Bardoel BW. Colistin resistance mutations in phoQ can sensitize Klebsiella pneumoniae to IgM-mediated complement killing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12618. [PMID: 37537263 PMCID: PMC10400624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39613-5] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to multi-drug resistance, physicians increasingly use the last-resort antibiotic colistin to treat infections with the Gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae. Unfortunately, K. pneumoniae can also develop colistin resistance. Interestingly, colistin resistance has dual effects on bacterial clearance by the immune system. While it increases resistance to antimicrobial peptides, colistin resistance has been reported to sensitize certain bacteria for killing by human serum. Here we investigate the mechanisms underlying this increased serum sensitivity, focusing on human complement which kills Gram-negatives via membrane attack complex (MAC) pores. Using in vitro evolved colistin resistant strains and a fluorescent MAC-mediated permeabilization assay, we showed that two of the three tested colistin resistant strains, Kp209_CSTR and Kp257_CSTR, were sensitized to MAC. Transcriptomic and mechanistic analyses focusing on Kp209_CSTR revealed that a mutation in the phoQ gene locked PhoQ in an active state, making Kp209_CSTR colistin resistant and MAC sensitive. Detailed immunological assays showed that complement activation on Kp209_CSTR in human serum required specific IgM antibodies that bound Kp209_CSTR but did not recognize the wild-type strain. Together, our results show that developing colistin resistance affected recognition of Kp209_CSTR and its killing by the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjors P A van der Lans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Manon Janet-Maitre
- Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses Group, UMR5075, Institute of Structural Biology, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Frerich M Masson
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberly A Walker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dennis J Doorduijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Axel B Janssen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Willem van Schaik
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ina Attrée
- Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses Group, UMR5075, Institute of Structural Biology, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart W Bardoel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Struijf EM, De la O Becerra KI, Ruyken M, de Haas CJC, van Oosterom F, Siere DY, van Keulen JE, Heesterbeek DAC, Dolk E, Heukers R, Bardoel BW, Gros P, Rooijakkers SHM. Inhibition of cleavage of human complement component C5 and the R885H C5 variant by two distinct high affinity anti-C5 nanobodies. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104956. [PMID: 37356719 PMCID: PMC10374974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104956] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human complement system plays a crucial role in immune defense. However, its erroneous activation contributes to many serious inflammatory diseases. Since most unwanted complement effector functions result from C5 cleavage into C5a and C5b, development of C5 inhibitors, such as clinically approved monoclonal antibody eculizumab, are of great interest. Here, we developed and characterized two anti-C5 nanobodies, UNbC5-1 and UNbC5-2. Using surface plasmon resonance, we determined a binding affinity of 119.9 pM for UNbC5-1 and 7.7 pM for UNbC5-2. Competition experiments determined that the two nanobodies recognize distinct epitopes on C5. Both nanobodies efficiently interfered with C5 cleavage in a human serum environment, as they prevented red blood cell lysis via membrane attack complexes (C5b-9) and the formation of chemoattractant C5a. The cryo-EM structure of UNbC5-1 and UNbC5-2 in complex with C5 (3.6 Å resolution) revealed that the binding interfaces of UNbC5-1 and UNbC5-2 overlap with known complement inhibitors eculizumab and RaCI3, respectively. UNbC5-1 binds to the MG7 domain of C5, facilitated by a hydrophobic core and polar interactions, and UNbC5-2 interacts with the C5d domain mostly by salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Interestingly, UNbC5-1 potently binds and inhibits C5 R885H, a genetic variant of C5 that is not recognized by eculizumab. Altogether, we identified and characterized two different, high affinity nanobodies against human C5. Both nanobodies could serve as diagnostic and/or research tools to detect C5 or inhibit C5 cleavage. Furthermore, the residues targeted by UNbC5-1 hold important information for therapeutic inhibition of different polymorphic variants of C5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Struijf
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Karla I De la O Becerra
- Structural Biochemistry Group, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Ruyken
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J C de Haas
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur van Oosterom
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Danique Y Siere
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joanne E van Keulen
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dani A C Heesterbeek
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Bart W Bardoel
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Piet Gros
- Structural Biochemistry Group, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Department Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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8
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Liu L, Cheng R, Mao SQ, Duan DY, Feng LL, Cheng TY. Saliva proteome of partially- and fully-engorged adult female Haemaphysalis flava ticks. Vet Parasitol 2023; 318:109933. [PMID: 37043866 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109933] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Tick saliva is a reservoir of bioactive proteins. Saliva protein compositions change dynamically during blood-feeding. Decipherment of protein profiles in different blood-feeding stages may bring deeper insight into tick feeding physiology and provide targets for immunologic control alternatives. However, having the infancy of tick genome sequencing, assembly, annotation, and limited knowledge of tick salivary proteins restrain the data interpretation. Here, we aimed to depict the saliva protein profile in partially- (PE) and fully-engorged (FE) Haemaphysalis flava ticks, with a special focus on the analysis of those uncharacterized proteins. Saliva was collected from PE and FE adult female H. flava ticks. Saliva proteins were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS). MS data were searched against an in-house salivary gland transcriptome library for identification of tick-derived proteins. Abundances of proteins were compared between PE and FE ticks. The uncharacterized proteins detected in saliva were further bioinformatically analyzed. In total, 614 proteins were identified including 94 host proteins and 520 tick-derived proteins. The 226 tick-derived high-confidence proteins were classified into 10 categories: transporters, enzymes, protease inhibitors, immunity-related proteins, lipocalins, glycine-rich proteins, muscle proteins, secreted proteins, uncharacterized proteins and others. A total of 98 proteins were shared in both PE and FE with 74 only in PE and 54 only in FE. Abundances of 24 shared proteins were significantly higher in PE. The profile of top 15 most abundant proteins was also different between PE and FE ticks. The 65 uncharacterized proteins detected in tick saliva were branched into subclusters 1 A, 1B, 2, 3 A, 3B and 3 C based on particular motifs like RGD, LRR, indicating their diverse predicted functions like anti-coagulation, regulation of innate immune, or other functions. This study provides and compares saliva proteomes of H. flava ticks in two feeding stages with special cluster analysis on the uncharacterized proteins. Further investigations are needed to confirm the roles of these uncharacterized proteins in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors (RCPV), College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Rong Cheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors (RCPV), College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Si-Qing Mao
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors (RCPV), College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - De-Yong Duan
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors (RCPV), College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Li-Li Feng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors (RCPV), College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Tian-Yin Cheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors (RCPV), College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
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9
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Stennett A, Friston K, Harris CL, Wollman AJM, Bronowska AK, Madden KS. The case for complement component 5 as a target in neurodegenerative disease. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:97-109. [PMID: 36786123 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2177532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Complement-based drug discovery is undergoing a renaissance, empowered by new advances in structural biology, complement biology and drug development. Certain components of the complement pathway, particularly C1q and C3, have been extensively studied in the context of neurodegenerative disease, and established as key therapeutic targets. C5 also has huge therapeutic potential in this arena, with its druggability clearly demonstrated by the success of C5-inhibitor eculizumab. AREAS COVERED We will discuss the evidence supporting C5 as a target in neurodegenerative disease, along with the current progress in developing different classes of C5 inhibitors and the gaps in knowledge that will help progress in the field. EXPERT OPINION Validation of C5 as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disease would represent a major step forward for complement therapeutics research and has the potential to furnish disease-modifying drugs for millions of patients suffering worldwide. Key hurdles that need to be overcome for this to be achieved are understanding how C5a and C5b should be targeted to bring therapeutic benefit and demonstrating the ability to target C5 without creating vulnerability to infection in patients. This requires greater biological elucidation of its precise role in disease pathogenesis, supported by better chemical/biological tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Stennett
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Kallie Friston
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Claire L Harris
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Adam J M Wollman
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Agnieszka K Bronowska
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Katrina S Madden
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK.,Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, NE2 4HH, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
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10
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Schmidt CQ, Smith RJH. Protein therapeutics and their lessons: Expect the unexpected when inhibiting the multi-protein cascade of the complement system. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:376-401. [PMID: 36398537 PMCID: PMC9852015 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13164] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Over a century after the discovery of the complement system, the first complement therapeutic was approved for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). It was a long-acting monoclonal antibody (aka 5G1-1, 5G1.1, h5G1.1, and now known as eculizumab) that targets C5, specifically preventing the generation of C5a, a potent anaphylatoxin, and C5b, the first step in the eventual formation of membrane attack complex. The enormous clinical and financial success of eculizumab across four diseases (PNH, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), myasthenia gravis (MG), and anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)) has fueled a surge in complement therapeutics, especially targeting diseases with an underlying complement pathophysiology for which anti-C5 therapy is ineffective. Intensive research has also uncovered challenges that arise from C5 blockade. For example, PNH patients can still face extravascular hemolysis or pharmacodynamic breakthrough of complement suppression during complement-amplifying conditions. These "side" effects of a stoichiometric inhibitor like eculizumab were unexpected and are incompatible with some of our accepted knowledge of the complement cascade. And they are not unique to C5 inhibition. Indeed, "exceptions" to the rules of complement biology abound and have led to unprecedented and surprising insights. In this review, we will describe initial, present and future aspects of protein inhibitors of the complement cascade, highlighting unexpected findings that are redefining some of the mechanistic foundations upon which the complement cascade is organized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Q. Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard J. H. Smith
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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11
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Lv T, Xie X, Song N, Zhang S, Ding Y, Liu K, Diao L, Chen X, Jiang S, Li T, Zhang W, Cao Y. Expounding the role of tick in Africa swine fever virus transmission and seeking effective prevention measures: A review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1093599. [PMID: 36591310 PMCID: PMC9800779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1093599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious, deadly infectious disease, has caused huge economic losses to animal husbandry with a 100% mortality rate of the most acute and acute infection, which is listed as a legally reported animal disease by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of ASF, which is the only member of the Asfarviridae family. Ornithodoros soft ticks play an important role in ASFV transmission by active biological or mechanical transmission or by passive transport or ingestion, particularly in Africa, Europe, and the United States. First, this review summarized recent reports on (1) tick species capable of transmitting ASFV, (2) the importance of ticks in the transmission and epidemiological cycle of ASFV, and (3) the ASFV strains of tick transmission, to provide a detailed description of tick-borne ASFV. Second, the dynamics of tick infection with ASFV and the tick-induced immune suppression were further elaborated to explain how ticks spread ASFV. Third, the development of the anti-tick vaccine was summarized, and the prospect of the anti-tick vaccine was recapitulated. Then, the marked attenuated vaccine, ASFV-G-ΔI177L, was compared with those of the anti-tick vaccine to represent potential therapeutic or strategies to combat ASF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbao Lv
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xufeng Xie
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ning Song
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shilei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Luteng Diao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuang Jiang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tiger Li
- Portsmouth Abbey School, Portsmouth, RI, United States
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China,Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Yongguo Cao, ; Wenlong Zhang,
| | - Yongguo Cao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China,Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Yongguo Cao, ; Wenlong Zhang,
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12
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A Deeper Insight into the Tick Salivary Protein Families under the Light of Alphafold2 and Dali: Introducing the TickSialoFam 2.0 Database. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415613. [PMID: 36555254 PMCID: PMC9779611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hard ticks feed for several days or weeks on their hosts and their saliva contains thousands of polypeptides belonging to dozens of families, as identified by salivary transcriptomes. Comparison of the coding sequences to protein databases helps to identify putative secreted proteins and their potential functions, directing and focusing future studies, usually done with recombinant proteins that are tested in different bioassays. However, many families of putative secreted peptides have a unique character, not providing significant matches to known sequences. The availability of the Alphafold2 program, which provides in silico predictions of the 3D polypeptide structure, coupled with the Dali program which uses the atomic coordinates of a structural model to search the Protein Data Bank (PDB) allows another layer of investigation to annotate and ascribe a functional role to proteins having so far being characterized as "unique". In this study, we analyzed the classification of tick salivary proteins under the light of the Alphafold2/Dali programs, detecting novel protein families and gaining new insights relating the structure and function of tick salivary proteins.
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13
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Fan XY, Xu XC, Wu YX, Liu XY, Yang F, Hu YH. Evaluation of anti-tick efficiency in rabbits induced by DNA vaccines encoding Haemaphysalis longicornis lipocalin homologue. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 36:511-515. [PMID: 35801679 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Haemaphysalis longicornis is an obligate haematophagous ectoparasite, transmitting a variety of pathogens, which brings great damage to human health and animal husbandry development. Lipocalins (LIP) are a family of proteins that transport small hydrophobic molecules and also involve in immune regulation, such as the regulation of cell homeostasis, inhibiting the host's inflammatory response and resisting the contractile responses in host blood vessels. Therefore, it is one of the candidate antigens for vaccines. Based on previous studies, we constructed the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1-HlLIP of LIP homologue from H. longicornis (HlLIP). ELISA results showed that rabbits immunized with pcDNA3.1-HlLIP produced higher anti-rHlLIP antibody levels compared with the pcDNA3.1 group, indicating that pcDNA3.1-HlLIP induced the humoral immune response of host. Adult H. longicornis infestation trial in rabbits demonstrated that the engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of H. longicornis fed on rabbits immunized with pcDNA3.1-HlLIP decreased by 7.07%, 14.30% and 11.70% respectively, compared with that of the pcDNA3.1 group. In brief, DNA vaccine of pcDNA3.1-HlLIP provided immune protection efficiency of 30% in rabbits. This study demonstrated that pcDNA3.1-HlLIP can partially protect rabbits against H. longicornis, and it is possible to develop a new candidate antigen against ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Yuan Fan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Xiao-Can Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Ya-Xue Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Xiao-Ya Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Feng Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
| | - Yong-Hong Hu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, PR China
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14
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Saez-Calveras N, Stuve O. The role of the complement system in Multiple Sclerosis: A review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:970486. [PMID: 36032156 PMCID: PMC9399629 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.970486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system has been involved in the pathogenesis of multiple neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. In this review, we evaluated the possible role of complement activation in multiple sclerosis (MS) with a focus in progressive MS, where the disease pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated and treatment options are limited. The evidence for the involvement of the complement system in the white matter plaques and gray matter lesions of MS stems from immunohistochemical analysis of post-mortem MS brains, in vivo serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker studies, and animal models of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE). Complement knock-out studies in these animal models have revealed that this system may have a “double-edge sword” effect in MS. On the one hand, complement proteins may aid in promoting the clearance of myelin degradation products and other debris through myeloid cell-mediated phagocytosis. On the other, its aberrant activation may lead to demyelination at the rim of progressive MS white matter lesions as well as synapse loss in the gray matter. The complement system may also interact with known risk factors of MS, including as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection, and perpetuate the activation of CNS self-reactive B cell populations. With the mounting evidence for the involvement of complement in MS, the development of complement modulating therapies for this condition is appealing. Herein, we also reviewed the pharmacological complement inhibitors that have been tested in MS animal models as well as in clinical trials for other neurologic diseases. The potential use of these agents, such as the C5-binding antibody eculizumab in MS will require a detailed understanding of the role of the different complement effectors in this disease and the development of better CNS delivery strategies for these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nil Saez-Calveras
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Olaf Stuve
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Neurology Section, Veterans Affairs (VA) North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Olaf Stuve,
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15
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Doorduijn DJ, Lukassen MV, van 't Wout MFL, Franc V, Ruyken M, Bardoel BW, Heck AJR, Rooijakkers SHM. Soluble MAC is primarily released from MAC-resistant bacteria that potently convert complement component C5. eLife 2022; 11:77503. [PMID: 35947526 PMCID: PMC9402229 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane attack complex (MAC or C5b-9) is an important effector of the immune system to kill invading microbes. MAC formation is initiated when complement enzymes on the bacterial surface convert complement component C5 into C5b. Although the MAC is a membrane-inserted complex, soluble forms of MAC (sMAC), or terminal complement complex (TCC), are often detected in sera of patients suffering from infections. Consequently, sMAC has been proposed as a biomarker, but it remains unclear when and how it is formed during infections. Here, we studied mechanisms of MAC formation on different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and found that sMAC is primarily formed in human serum by bacteria resistant to MAC-dependent killing. Surprisingly, C5 was converted into C5b more potently by MAC-resistant compared to MAC-sensitive Escherichia coli strains. In addition, we found that MAC precursors are released from the surface of MAC-resistant bacteria during MAC assembly. Although release of MAC precursors from bacteria induced lysis of bystander human erythrocytes, serum regulators vitronectin (Vn) and clusterin (Clu) can prevent this. Combining size exclusion chromatography with mass spectrometry profiling, we show that sMAC released from bacteria in serum is a heterogeneous mixture of complexes composed of C5b-8, up to three copies of C9 and multiple copies of Vn and Clu. Altogether, our data provide molecular insight into how sMAC is generated during bacterial infections. This fundamental knowledge could form the basis for exploring the use of sMAC as biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J Doorduijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marie V Lukassen
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marije F L van 't Wout
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Vojtech Franc
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maartje Ruyken
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bart W Bardoel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Suzan H M Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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16
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Schön MP. The tick and I: Parasite-host interactions between ticks and humans. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:818-853. [PMID: 35674196 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ticks, particularly hard ticks (Ixodidae), which are among the most important vectors of dangerous infectious agents, feed on their hosts for extended periods of time. With this lifestyle, numerous adaptations have evolved in ticks and their hosts, the pharmacological importance of which is increasingly being recognized. Many bioactive substances in tick saliva are being considered as the basis of new drugs. For example, components of tick cement can be developed into tissue adhesives or wound closures. Analgesic and antipruritic salivary components inhibit histamine or bradykinin, while other tick-derived molecules bind opioid or cannabinoid receptors. Tick saliva inhibits the extrinsic, intrinsic, or common pathway of blood coagulation with implications for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases. It contains vasodilating substances and affects wound healing. The broad spectrum of immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive effects of tick saliva, such as inhibition of chemokines or cellular immune responses, allows development of drugs against inflammation in autoimmune diseases and/or infections. Finally, modern vaccines against ticks can curb the spread of serious infections. The medical importance of the complex tick-host interactions is increasingly being recognized and translated into first clinical applications. Using selected examples, an overview of the mutual adaptations of ticks and hosts is given here, focusing on their significance to medical advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Schön
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
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17
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Schön MP. Die Zecke und ich: Parasiten-Wirt-Interaktionen zwischen Zecken und Menschen. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:818-855. [PMID: 35711058 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14821_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Schön
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
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18
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Sadik CD, Rashid H, Hammers CM, Diercks GFH, Weidinger A, Beissert S, Schauer F, Fettiplace J, Thaçi D, Ngai Y, Nunn MA, Zillikens D, Horváth B. Evaluation of Nomacopan for Treatment of Bullous Pemphigoid: A Phase 2a Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Dermatol 2022; 158:641-649. [PMID: 35507334 PMCID: PMC9069343 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Importance Bullous pemphigoid is a difficult-to-treat autoimmune blistering skin disease that predominantly affects older adults and is associated with an increased mortality rate. Objective To examine the safety and therapeutic potential of nomacopan, an inhibitor of leukotriene B4 and complement C5, in patients with bullous pemphigoid. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter, single-group, phase 2a nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted in the dermatology departments of universities in the Netherlands and Germany. Participants were enrolled between September 2018 and April 2020. Older adult patients (aged ≥55 years) with mild to moderate, new-onset or relapsing bullous pemphigoid were recruited into the study. Interventions Patients received nomacopan, 90 mg, subcutaneously on day 1 and 30 mg subcutaneously daily until day 42. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was the proportion of patients with grade 3 to 5 (severe) adverse events associated or possibly associated with nomacopan. Secondary end points included mean absolute and percentage changes in the Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) activity score, the BPDAI pruritus score, and the patient-reported outcome measures Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life (TABQOL). Results A total of 9 patients (median [range] age, 75 [55-85] years) with bullous pemphigoid were included in the trial, of whom 5 were women (55.6%). No serious adverse events associated with nomacopan were found. The mean (90% CI) BPDAI activity score decreased from 32.0 (8.7) points on day 1 to 19.6 (9.0) points on day 42. Seven of 9 patients (77.8%) responded to nomacopan with a reduction in the BPDAI activity score of at least 8 points between days 1 and 42; in 3 responders, the reduction was 80% or greater. On day 42, the mean (90% CI) BPDAI pruritus score had decreased by 6.8 (4.6) points from 17.6 (4.0) points on day 1. The mean (90% CI) DLQI score decreased from 11.3 (4.2) points at baseline to 6.4 (3.8) points by day 42, and the mean (90% CI) TABQOL score decreased from 14.6 (5.4) points at baseline to 10.3 (5.0) points on day 42. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this nonrandomized controlled trial suggest that nomacopan can be well tolerated in older patients with bullous pemphigoid and may have therapeutic benefits for suppressing acute flares of this disease. A larger, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial is warranted to confirm this safety profile and to establish nomacopan as a new therapeutic option for bullous pemphigoid. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04035733.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian D Sadik
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hanan Rashid
- Department of Dermatology, Center of Blistering Diseases, European Reference Network-Skin, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Christoph M Hammers
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gilles F H Diercks
- Department of Dermatology, Center of Blistering Diseases, European Reference Network-Skin, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.,Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Weidinger
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Beissert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Schauer
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Diamant Thaçi
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute and Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Detlef Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Barbara Horváth
- Department of Dermatology, Center of Blistering Diseases, European Reference Network-Skin, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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19
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Novel treatment strategies for acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive myasthenia gravis and related disorders. Autoimmun Rev 2022; 21:103104. [PMID: 35452851 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The presence of autoantibodies directed against the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is the most common cause of myasthenia gravis (MG). These antibodies damage the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction and cause muscle weakness by depleting AChRs and thus impairing synaptic transmission. As one of the best-characterized antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases, AChR-MG has often served as a reference model for other autoimmune disorders. Classical pharmacological treatments, including broad-spectrum immunosuppressive drugs, are effective in many patients. However, complete remission cannot be achieved in all patients, and 10% of patients do not respond to currently used therapies. This may be attributed to production of autoantibodies by long-lived plasma cells which are resistant to conventional immunosuppressive drugs. Hence, novel therapies specifically targeting plasma cells might be a suitable therapeutic approach for selected patients. Additionally, in order to reduce side effects of broad-spectrum immunosuppression, targeted immunotherapies and symptomatic treatments will be required. This review presents established therapies as well as novel therapeutic approaches for MG and related conditions, with a focus on AChR-MG.
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20
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Ali A, Zeb I, Alouffi A, Zahid H, Almutairi MM, Ayed Alshammari F, Alrouji M, Termignoni C, Vaz IDS, Tanaka T. Host Immune Responses to Salivary Components - A Critical Facet of Tick-Host Interactions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:809052. [PMID: 35372098 PMCID: PMC8966233 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.809052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick sialome is comprised of a rich cocktail of bioactive molecules that function as a tool to disarm host immunity, assist blood-feeding, and play a vibrant role in pathogen transmission. The adaptation of the tick's blood-feeding behavior has lead to the evolution of bioactive molecules in its saliva to assist them to overwhelm hosts' defense mechanisms. During a blood meal, a tick secretes different salivary molecules including vasodilators, platelet aggregation inhibitors, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory proteins, and inhibitors of complement activation; the salivary repertoire changes to meet various needs such as tick attachment, feeding, and modulation or impairment of the local dynamic and vigorous host responses. For instance, the tick's salivary immunomodulatory and cement proteins facilitate the tick's attachment to the host to enhance prolonged blood-feeding and to modulate the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent advances implemented in the field of "omics" have substantially assisted our understanding of host immune modulation and immune inhibition against the molecular dynamics of tick salivary molecules in a crosstalk between the tick-host interface. A deep understanding of the tick salivary molecules, their substantial roles in multifactorial immunological cascades, variations in secretion, and host immune responses against these molecules is necessary to control these parasites. In this article, we reviewed updated knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying host responses to diverse elements in tick saliva throughout tick invasion, as well as host defense strategies. In conclusion, understanding the mechanisms involved in the complex interactions between the tick salivary components and host responses is essential to decipher the host defense mechanisms against the tick evasion strategies at tick-host interface which is promising in the development of effective anti-tick vaccines and drug therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Ismail Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hafsa Zahid
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahdah Ayed Alshammari
- College of Sciences and Literature Microbiology, Nothern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alrouji
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos Termignoni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
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21
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Neelakanta G, Sultana H. Tick Saliva and Salivary Glands: What Do We Know So Far on Their Role in Arthropod Blood Feeding and Pathogen Transmission. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:816547. [PMID: 35127563 PMCID: PMC8809362 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.816547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that have developed myriad of strategies to get a blood meal from the vertebrate host. They first attach to the host skin, select a bite site for a blood meal, create a feeding niche at the bite site, secrete plethora of molecules in its saliva and then starts feeding. On the other side, host defenses will try to counter-attack and stop tick feeding at the bite site. In this constant battle between ticks and the host, arthropods successfully pacify the host and completes a blood meal and then replete after full engorgement. In this review, we discuss some of the known and emerging roles for arthropod components such as cement, salivary proteins, lipocalins, HSP70s, OATPs, and extracellular vesicles/exosomes in facilitating successful blood feeding from ticks. In addition, we discuss how tick-borne pathogens modulate(s) these components to infect the vertebrate host. Understanding the biology of arthropod blood feeding and molecular interactions at the tick-host interface during pathogen transmission is very important. This information would eventually lead us in the identification of candidates for the development of transmission-blocking vaccines to prevent diseases caused by medically important vector-borne pathogens.
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22
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Braunger K, Ahn J, Jore MM, Johnson S, Tang TTL, Pedersen DV, Andersen GR, Lea SM. Structure and function of a family of tick-derived complement inhibitors targeting properdin. Nat Commun 2022; 13:317. [PMID: 35031611 PMCID: PMC8760278 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27920-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the serum-resident complement system begins a cascade that leads to activation of membrane-resident complement receptors on immune cells, thus coordinating serum and cellular immune responses. Whilst many molecules act to control inappropriate activation, Properdin is the only known positive regulator of the human complement system. By stabilising the alternative pathway C3 convertase it promotes complement self-amplification and persistent activation boosting the magnitude of the serum complement response by all triggers. In this work, we identify a family of tick-derived alternative pathway complement inhibitors, hereafter termed CirpA. Functional and structural characterisation reveals that members of the CirpA family directly bind to properdin, inhibiting its ability to promote complement activation, and leading to potent inhibition of the complement response in a species specific manner. We provide a full functional and structural characterisation of a properdin inhibitor, opening avenues for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Braunger
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK
| | - Jiyoon Ahn
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Steven Johnson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK.
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 21702, Frederick, MD, USA.
| | - Terence T L Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dennis V Pedersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gregers R Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Susan M Lea
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK.
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 21702, Frederick, MD, USA.
- Central Oxford Structural Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Oxford, OX1 3RE, Oxford, UK.
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23
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Doorduijn DJ, Heesterbeek DAC, Ruyken M, de Haas CJC, Stapels DAC, Aerts PC, Rooijakkers SHM, Bardoel BW. Polymerization of C9 enhances bacterial cell envelope damage and killing by membrane attack complex pores. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010051. [PMID: 34752492 PMCID: PMC8604303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement proteins can form membrane attack complex (MAC) pores that directly kill Gram-negative bacteria. MAC pores assemble by stepwise binding of C5b, C6, C7, C8 and finally C9, which can polymerize into a transmembrane ring of up to 18 C9 monomers. It is still unclear if the assembly of a polymeric-C9 ring is necessary to sufficiently damage the bacterial cell envelope to kill bacteria. In this paper, polymerization of C9 was prevented without affecting binding of C9 to C5b-8, by locking the first transmembrane helix domain of C9. Using this system, we show that polymerization of C9 strongly enhanced damage to both the bacterial outer and inner membrane, resulting in more rapid killing of several Escherichia coli and Klebsiella strains in serum. By comparing binding of wildtype and ‘locked’ C9 by flow cytometry, we also show that polymerization of C9 is impaired when the amount of available C9 per C5b-8 is limited. This suggests that an excess of C9 is required to efficiently form polymeric-C9. Finally, we show that polymerization of C9 was impaired on complement-resistant E. coli strains that survive killing by MAC pores. This suggests that these bacteria can specifically block polymerization of C9. All tested complement-resistant E. coli expressed LPS O-antigen (O-Ag), compared to only one out of four complement-sensitive E. coli. By restoring O-Ag expression in an O-Ag negative strain, we show that the O-Ag impairs polymerization of C9 and results in complement-resistance. Altogether, these insights are important to understand how MAC pores kill bacteria and how bacterial pathogens can resist MAC-dependent killing. In this paper, we focus on how complement proteins, an essential part of the immune system, kill Gram-negative bacteria via so-called membrane attack complex (MAC) pores. The MAC is a large pore that consists of five different proteins. The final component, C9, assembles a ring of up to 18 C9 molecules that damages the bacterial cell envelope. Here, we aimed to better understand if this polymeric-C9 ring is necessary to kill bacteria and if bacteria can interfere in its assembly. We uncover that polymerization of C9 increased the damage to the entire bacterial cell envelope, which resulted in more rapid killing of several Gram-negative species. We also show that some clinical Escherichia coli strains can block polymerization of C9 and survive MAC-dependent killing by modifying sugars in the bacterial cell envelope, namely the O-antigen of lipopolysaccharide. These insights help us to better understand how the immune system kills bacteria and how pathogenic bacteria can survive killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J. Doorduijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dani A. C. Heesterbeek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Ruyken
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carla J. C. de Haas
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne A. C. Stapels
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Piet C. Aerts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan H. M. Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart W. Bardoel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Denisov SS, Dijkgraaf I. Immunomodulatory Proteins in Tick Saliva From a Structural Perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:769574. [PMID: 34722347 PMCID: PMC8548845 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.769574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To feed successfully, ticks must bypass or suppress the host’s defense mechanisms, particularly the immune system. To accomplish this, ticks secrete specialized immunomodulatory proteins into their saliva, just like many other blood-sucking parasites. However, the strategy of ticks is rather unique compared to their counterparts. Ticks’ tendency for gene duplication has led to a diverse arsenal of dozens of closely related proteins from several classes to modulate the immune system’s response. Among these are chemokine-binding proteins, complement pathways inhibitors, ion channels modulators, and numerous poorly characterized proteins whose functions are yet to be uncovered. Studying tick immunomodulatory proteins would not only help to elucidate tick-host relationships but would also provide a rich pool of potential candidates for the development of immunomodulatory intervention drugs and potentially new vaccines. In the present review, we will attempt to summarize novel findings on the salivary immunomodulatory proteins of ticks, focusing on biomolecular targets, structure-activity relationships, and the perspective of their development into therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan S Denisov
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
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25
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Kotál J, Polderdijk SGI, Langhansová H, Ederová M, Martins LA, Beránková Z, Chlastáková A, Hajdušek O, Kotsyfakis M, Huntington JA, Chmelař J. Ixodes ricinus Salivary Serpin Iripin-8 Inhibits the Intrinsic Pathway of Coagulation and Complement. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179480. [PMID: 34502392 PMCID: PMC8431025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tick saliva is a rich source of antihemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory molecules that actively help the tick to finish its blood meal. Moreover, these molecules facilitate the transmission of tick-borne pathogens. Here we present the functional and structural characterization of Iripin-8, a salivary serpin from the tick Ixodes ricinus, a European vector of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. Iripin-8 displayed blood-meal-induced mRNA expression that peaked in nymphs and the salivary glands of adult females. Iripin-8 inhibited multiple proteases involved in blood coagulation and blocked the intrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade in vitro. Moreover, Iripin-8 inhibited erythrocyte lysis by complement, and Iripin-8 knockdown by RNA interference in tick nymphs delayed the feeding time. Finally, we resolved the crystal structure of Iripin-8 at 1.89 Å resolution to reveal an unusually long and rigid reactive center loop that is conserved in several tick species. The P1 Arg residue is held in place distant from the serpin body by a conserved poly-Pro element on the P′ side. Several PEG molecules bind to Iripin-8, including one in a deep cavity, perhaps indicating the presence of a small-molecule binding site. This is the first crystal structure of a tick serpin in the native state, and Iripin-8 is a tick serpin with a conserved reactive center loop that possesses antihemostatic activity that may mediate interference with host innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kotál
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Stéphanie G. I. Polderdijk
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, The Keith Peters Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; (S.G.I.P.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Helena Langhansová
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Monika Ederová
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Larissa A. Martins
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Zuzana Beránková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Adéla Chlastáková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
| | - Ondřej Hajdušek
- Laboratory of Vector Immunology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center CAS, Branišovská 1160/31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - James A. Huntington
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, The Keith Peters Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; (S.G.I.P.); (J.A.H.)
| | - Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760c, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (H.L.); (M.E.); (Z.B.); (A.C.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence:
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26
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Zeller J, Bogner B, Kiefer J, Braig D, Winninger O, Fricke M, Karasu E, Peter K, Huber-Lang M, Eisenhardt SU. CRP Enhances the Innate Killing Mechanisms Phagocytosis and ROS Formation in a Conformation and Complement-Dependent Manner. Front Immunol 2021; 12:721887. [PMID: 34447388 PMCID: PMC8383111 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.721887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Phagocytosis and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in phagocytic leukocytes are an effective killing mechanism of the innate host defense. These cellular processes of innate immunity function in a complex interplay with humoral factors. C-reactive protein (CRP) in its activated, monomeric isoform (mCRP) has been shown to activate immune cells via the classical complement pathway. We investigated the complement-dependent effects of monomeric CRP (mCRP) on neutrophils and monocyte subtypes using complement-specific inhibitors by both flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate that CRP-induced ROS generation is a conformation-specific and complement-dependent process in leukocyte subsets with classical monocytes as the primary source of ROS amongst human monocyte subsets. Elucidation of this complex interplay of CRP and complement in inflammation pathophysiology might help to improve anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Zeller
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany
| | - Balázs Bogner
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany
| | - Jurij Kiefer
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany
| | - David Braig
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany.,Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Oscar Winninger
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany
| | - Mark Fricke
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany
| | - Ebru Karasu
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Trauma-Immunology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Markus Huber-Lang
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Trauma-Immunology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Steffen Ulrich Eisenhardt
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany
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27
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Reck J, Webster A, Dall'Agnol B, Pienaar R, de Castro MH, Featherston J, Mans BJ. Transcriptomic Analysis of Salivary Glands of Ornithodoros brasiliensis Aragão, 1923, the Agent of a Neotropical Tick-Toxicosis Syndrome in Humans. Front Physiol 2021; 12:725635. [PMID: 34421661 PMCID: PMC8378177 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.725635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick salivary glands produce and secrete a variety of compounds that modulate host responses and ensure a successful blood meal. Despite great progress made in the identification of ticks salivary compounds in recent years, there is still a paucity of information concerning salivary molecules of Neotropical argasid ticks. Among this group of ticks, considering the number of human cases of parasitism, including severe syndromes and hospitalization, Ornithodoros brasiliensis can be considered one of the major Neotropical argasid species with impact in public health. Here, we describe the transcriptome analysis of O. brasiliensis salivary glands (ObSG). The transcriptome yielded ~14,957 putative contigs. A total of 368 contigs were attributed to secreted proteins (SP), which represent approximately 2.5% of transcripts but ~53% expression coverage transcripts per million. Lipocalins are the major protein family among the most expressed SP, accounting for ~16% of the secretory transcripts and 51% of secretory protein abundance. The most expressed transcript is an ortholog of TSGP4 (tick salivary gland protein 4), a lipocalin first identified in Ornithodoros kalahariensis that functions as a leukotriene C4 scavenger. A total of 55 lipocalin transcripts were identified in ObSG. Other transcripts potentially involved in tick-host interaction included as: basic/acid tail secretory proteins (second most abundant expressed group), serine protease inhibitors (including Kunitz inhibitors), 5' nucleotidases (tick apyrases), phospholipase A2, 7 disulfide bond domain, cystatins, and tick antimicrobial peptides. Another abundant group of proteins in ObSG is metalloproteases. Analysis of these major protein groups suggests that several duplication events after speciation were responsible for the abundance of redundant compounds in tick salivary glands. A full mitochondrial genome could be assembled from the transcriptome data and confirmed the close genetic identity of the tick strain sampled in the current study, to a tick strain previously implicated in tick toxicoses. This study provides novel information on the molecular composition of ObSG, a Brazilian endemic tick associated with several human cases of parasitism. These results could be helpful in the understanding of clinical findings observed in bitten patients, and also, could provide more information on the evolution of Neotropical argasids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Reck
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
| | - Anelise Webster
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dall'Agnol
- Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ronel Pienaar
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Minique H de Castro
- Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Vector and Vector-borne Disease Research Programme, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Sánchez-Tabernero S, Fajardo-Sanchez J, Weston-Davies W, Parekh M, Kriman J, Kaye S, Ahmad S. Dual inhibition of complement component 5 and leukotriene B4 by topical rVA576 in atopic keratoconjunctivis: TRACKER phase 1 clinical trial results. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:270. [PMID: 34116700 PMCID: PMC8196439 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01890-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of topical rVA576, a dual inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), in patients with recalcitrant atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) in the open label phase 1 TRACKER clinical trial. Methods Three patients diagnosed with moderate or severe AKC who had been on maximal topical treatment (antihistamines and ciclosporin) for at least three months prior to entry, and showed persistent symptoms and signs of inflammation, were recruited into the trial. Patients received rVA576 eye drops twice a day for 8 weeks. Patients were seen at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. Safety data was recorded and a composite sum score of symptoms and signs was obtained. This score comprised symptoms such as itching, mucous discharge and photophobia, and conjunctival and corneal signs such as hyperemia, tarsal papillae, punctate keratitis and corneal neovascularization, all rated individually from 0 to 3 for a maximum score of 33. Results Two of the three patients completed the initial open label phase of the trial. The third patient was unable to attend appointments and terminated the study early at day 14. Topical rVA576 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. There was an average improvement in overall clinical score of 53%, composed of an improvement in symptoms of 65% [63.64–66.67%] and signs of 40% [40–40.12%] by day 56. Conclusions In this open label phase 1 TRACKER trial, rVA576 eye drops were well tolerated and showed a response across signs and symptoms of active inflammation. This study is exploratory but supports topical rVA576 safety and shows promising efficacy for recalcitrant AKC. A phase 2 randomised control trial is currently underway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-01890-6.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jaime Kriman
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, 51 North Block, 5 Chicheley Street, London, SE1 7PJ, UK
| | - Stephen Kaye
- St Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool Hospitals, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sajjad Ahmad
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, 51 North Block, 5 Chicheley Street, London, SE1 7PJ, UK.,UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
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29
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Höchsmann B, Körper S, Schrezenmeier H. Komplementinhibitoren: neue Therapeutika – neue Indikationen. TRANSFUSIONSMEDIZIN 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1145-5522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDas Komplementsystem, ein klassisch transfusionsmedizinisches Thema, hat in den letzten Jahren in allen Bereichen der Medizin an Bedeutung gewonnen. Komplementinhibitoren werden aufgrund eines besseren Verständnisses der Pathophysiologie unterschiedlicher Erkrankungen in einem sich stetig erweiternden Krankheitsspektrum eingesetzt. Dieses reicht von typisch komplementassoziierten Erkrankungen wie der PNH (paroxysmale nächtliche Hämoglobinurie) bis hin zu akuten Krankheitsbildern mit einer Fehlregulation des Komplementsystems, wie COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Höchsmann
- Institut für Klinische Transfusionsmedizin und Immungenetik Ulm, DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg-Hessen und Universitätsklinikum Ulm; Institut für Transfusionsmedizin, Universität Ulm
| | - Sixten Körper
- Institut für Klinische Transfusionsmedizin und Immungenetik Ulm, DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg-Hessen und Universitätsklinikum Ulm; Institut für Transfusionsmedizin, Universität Ulm
| | - Hubert Schrezenmeier
- Institut für Klinische Transfusionsmedizin und Immungenetik Ulm, DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg-Hessen und Universitätsklinikum Ulm; Institut für Transfusionsmedizin, Universität Ulm
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30
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Guo K, Ma S. The Immune System in Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury Prevention and Therapy: Update and Perspective. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:639976. [PMID: 33842545 PMCID: PMC8024523 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.639976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As an initiator of respiratory distress, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is regarded as one of the rare complications associated with transfusion medicine. However, to date, the pathogenesis of TRALI is still unclear, and specific therapies are unavailable. Understanding the mechanisms of TRALI may promote the design of preventive and therapeutic strategies. The immune system plays vital roles in reproduction, development and homeostasis. Sterile tissue damage, such as physical trauma, ischemia, or reperfusion injury, induces an inflammatory reaction that results in wound healing and regenerative mechanisms. In other words, in addition to protecting against pathogens, the immune response may be strongly associated with TRALI prevention and treatment through a variety of immunomodulatory strategies to inhibit excessive immune system activation. Immunotherapy based on immune cells or immunological targets may eradicate complications. For example, IL-10 therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to explore further. This review will focus on ultramodern advances in our understanding of the potential role of the immune system in TRALI prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Guo
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Shuxuan Ma
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
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Askarian F, Uchiyama S, Masson H, Sørensen HV, Golten O, Bunæs AC, Mekasha S, Røhr ÅK, Kommedal E, Ludviksen JA, Arntzen MØ, Schmidt B, Zurich RH, van Sorge NM, Eijsink VGH, Krengel U, Mollnes TE, Lewis NE, Nizet V, Vaaje-Kolstad G. The lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase CbpD promotes Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence in systemic infection. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1230. [PMID: 33623002 PMCID: PMC7902821 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21473-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), which cleave polysaccharides by oxidation, have been associated with bacterial virulence, but supporting functional data is scarce. Here we show that CbpD, the LPMO of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a chitin-oxidizing virulence factor that promotes survival of the bacterium in human blood. The catalytic activity of CbpD was promoted by azurin and pyocyanin, two redox-active virulence factors also secreted by P. aeruginosa. Homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and small angle X-ray scattering indicated that CbpD is a monomeric tri-modular enzyme with flexible linkers. Deletion of cbpD rendered P. aeruginosa unable to establish a lethal systemic infection, associated with enhanced bacterial clearance in vivo. CbpD-dependent survival of the wild-type bacterium was not attributable to dampening of pro-inflammatory responses by CbpD ex vivo or in vivo. Rather, we found that CbpD attenuates the terminal complement cascade in human serum. Studies with an active site mutant of CbpD indicated that catalytic activity is crucial for virulence function. Finally, profiling of the bacterial and splenic proteomes showed that the lack of this single enzyme resulted in substantial re-organization of the bacterial and host proteomes. LPMOs similar to CbpD occur in other pathogens and may have similar immune evasive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Askarian
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
| | - Satoshi Uchiyama
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Helen Masson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Ole Golten
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Anne Cathrine Bunæs
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Sophanit Mekasha
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Åsmund Kjendseth Røhr
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Eirik Kommedal
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | | | - Magnus Ø Arntzen
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Benjamin Schmidt
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Raymond H Zurich
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nina M van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent G H Eijsink
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Ute Krengel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom Eirik Mollnes
- Research Laboratory, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen TREC, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT- The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, and K.G. Jebsen IRC, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center of Molecular Inflammation Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at UC San Diego, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway.
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32
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Fattizzo B, Kulasekararaj AG. Second-Generation C5 Inhibitors for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. BioDrugs 2021; 34:149-158. [PMID: 31916226 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-019-00401-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The C5 targeting monoclonal antibody eculizumab has changed the natural history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in the last 10 years. However, some unmet clinical needs persist, including persistent anemia with some patients requiring transfusions, incomplete C5 inhibition with breakthrough hemolysis (because of pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic issues such as infections, as well as conditions increasing complement activity), the underlying bone marrow failure, and the significant burden on patient quality of life (intravenous route of administration and frequency of infusions). Moreover, a subclass of patients carries C5 polymorphisms resistant to eculizumab inhibition. Several second-generation C5 inhibitors are under active study to overcome unmet clinical needs with eculizumab. Current strategies encompass increasing drug half-life, developing small molecule inhibitors of C5, and exploring new routes of administration (including subcutaneous and oral agents). In this review, we summarize available data on second-generation C5 inhibitors in PNH, including novel monoclonal antibodies, a small interfering RNA, and small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fattizzo
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano e Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Austin G Kulasekararaj
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, National Institute of Health Research/Wellcome King's Clinical Research Facility, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
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33
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Heesterbeek DAC, Muts RM, van Hensbergen VP, de Saint Aulaire P, Wennekes T, Bardoel BW, van Sorge NM, Rooijakkers SHM. Outer membrane permeabilization by the membrane attack complex sensitizes Gram-negative bacteria to antimicrobial proteins in serum and phagocytes. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009227. [PMID: 33481964 PMCID: PMC7886145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with Gram-negative bacteria form an increasing risk for human health due to antibiotic resistance. Our immune system contains various antimicrobial proteins that can degrade the bacterial cell envelope. However, many of these proteins do not function on Gram-negative bacteria, because the impermeable outer membrane of these bacteria prevents such components from reaching their targets. Here we show that complement-dependent formation of Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) pores permeabilizes this barrier, allowing antimicrobial proteins to cross the outer membrane and exert their antimicrobial function. Specifically, we demonstrate that MAC-dependent outer membrane damage enables human lysozyme to degrade the cell wall of E. coli. Using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we show that the combination of MAC pores and lysozyme triggers effective E. coli cell wall degradation in human serum, thereby altering the bacterial cell morphology from rod-shaped to spherical. Completely assembled MAC pores are required to sensitize E. coli to the antimicrobial actions of lysozyme and other immune factors, such as Human Group IIA-secreted Phospholipase A2. Next to these effects in a serum environment, we observed that the MAC also sensitizes E. coli to more efficient degradation and killing inside human neutrophils. Altogether, this study serves as a proof of principle on how different players of the human immune system can work together to degrade the complex cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. This knowledge may facilitate the development of new antimicrobials that could stimulate or work synergistically with the immune system. In this paper we identified how different players of the human immune system cooperate to degrade the complex cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria forms an impermeable barrier for various antimicrobial proteins of the immune system. Here we show that complement-dependent Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) formation permeabilizes this barrier, allowing otherwise impermeable antimicrobial proteins to reach their targets underneath the outer membrane. Specifically, we show that outer membrane damage by the MAC allows lysozyme to degrade the peptidoglycan layer, and secreted phospholipase A2-IIA to hydrolyze the bacterial inner membrane. MAC formation also sensitizes Gram-negative bacteria to more efficient degradation and killing inside human neutrophils. Altogether, this knowledge may guide the development of new antimicrobial strategies to treat infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dani A. C. Heesterbeek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Remy M. Muts
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent P. van Hensbergen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter de Saint Aulaire
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Wennekes
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart W. Bardoel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nina M. van Sorge
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan H. M. Rooijakkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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34
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Pont S, Fraikin N, Caspar Y, Van Melderen L, Attrée I, Cretin F. Bacterial behavior in human blood reveals complement evaders with some persister-like features. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008893. [PMID: 33326490 PMCID: PMC7773416 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major health concern and can cause up to 40% mortality. Pseudomonas aeruginosa BSI is often of nosocomial origin and is associated with a particularly poor prognosis. The mechanism of bacterial persistence in blood is still largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the behavior of a cohort of clinical and laboratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in human blood. In this specific environment, complement was the main defensive mechanism, acting either by direct bacterial lysis or by opsonophagocytosis, which required recognition by immune cells. We found highly variable survival rates for different strains in blood, whatever their origin, serotype, or the nature of their secreted toxins (ExoS, ExoU or ExlA) and despite their detection by immune cells. We identified and characterized a complement-tolerant subpopulation of bacterial cells that we named “evaders”. Evaders shared some features with bacterial persisters, which tolerate antibiotic treatment. Notably, in bi-phasic killing curves, the evaders represented 0.1–0.001% of the initial bacterial load and displayed transient tolerance. However, the evaders are not dormant and require active metabolism to persist in blood. We detected the evaders for five other major human pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia multivorans, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Thus, the evaders could allow the pathogen to persist within the bloodstream, and may be the cause of fatal bacteremia or dissemination, in particular in the absence of effective antibiotic treatments. Blood infections by antibiotic resistant bacteria, notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are major concerns in hospital settings. The complex interplay between P. aeruginosa and the innate immune system in the context of human blood is still poorly understood. By studying the behavior of various P. aeruginosa strains in human whole blood and plasma, we showed that bacterial strains display different rate of tolerance to the complement system. Despite the complement microbicide activity, most bacteria withstand elimination through phenotypic heterogeneity creating a tiny (<0.1%) subpopulation of transiently tolerant evaders able to persist in plasma. This phenotypic heterogeneity thus prevents total elimination of the pathogen from the circulation, and represents a new strategy to disseminate within the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Pont
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses team, CNRS ERL5261, CEA IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble, France
| | - Nathan Fraikin
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Department of Molecular Biology, Cellular & Molecular Microbiology, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Yvan Caspar
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, Laboratoire de bactériologie-hygiène hospitalière, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | - Laurence Van Melderen
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Department of Molecular Biology, Cellular & Molecular Microbiology, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Ina Attrée
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses team, CNRS ERL5261, CEA IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble, France
- * E-mail: (FC); (IA)
| | - François Cretin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cellular Responses team, CNRS ERL5261, CEA IRIG-BCI, INSERM UMR1036, Grenoble, France
- * E-mail: (FC); (IA)
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35
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Aounallah H, Bensaoud C, M'ghirbi Y, Faria F, Chmelar JI, Kotsyfakis M. Tick Salivary Compounds for Targeted Immunomodulatory Therapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583845. [PMID: 33072132 PMCID: PMC7538779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases are common, but a lack of effective targeted drugs and the side-effects of existing drugs have stimulated interest in finding therapeutic alternatives. Naturally derived substances are a recognized source of novel drugs, and tick saliva is increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive molecules with specific functions. Ticks use their saliva to overcome the innate and adaptive host immune systems. Their saliva is a rich cocktail of molecules including proteins, peptides, lipid derivatives, and recently discovered non-coding RNAs that inhibit or modulate vertebrate immune reactions. A number of tick saliva and/or salivary gland molecules have been characterized and shown to be promising candidates for drug development for vertebrate immune diseases. However, further validation of these molecules at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels is now required to progress lead candidates to clinical testing. In this paper, we review the data on the immuno-pharmacological aspects of tick salivary compounds characterized in vitro and/or in vivo and present recent findings on non-coding RNAs that might be exploitable as immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajer Aounallah
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR19IPTX, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chaima Bensaoud
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Youmna M'ghirbi
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, LR19IPTX, Service d'Entomologie Médicale, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Fernanda Faria
- Innovation and Development Laboratory, Innovation and Development Center, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jindr Ich Chmelar
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
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36
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Laabei M, Colineau L, Bettoni S, Maziarz K, Ermert D, Riesbeck K, Ram S, Blom AM. Antibacterial Fusion Proteins Enhance Moraxella catarrhalis Killing. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2122. [PMID: 32983170 PMCID: PMC7492680 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Moraxella catarrhalis is a human-specific commensal of the respiratory tract and an opportunistic pathogen. It is one of the leading cause of otitis media in children and of acute exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, resulting in significant morbidity and economic burden. Vaccines and new immunotherapeutic strategies to treat this emerging pathogen are needed. Complement is a key component of innate immunity that mediates the detection, response, and subsequent elimination of invading pathogens. Many pathogens including M. catarrhalis have evolved complement evasion mechanisms, which include the binding of human complement inhibitors such as C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and Factor H (FH). Inhibiting C4BP and FH acquisition by M. catarrhalis may provide a novel therapeutic avenue to treat infections. To achieve this, we created two chimeric proteins that combined the Moraxella-binding domains of C4BP and FH fused to human immunoglobulin Fcs: C4BP domains 1 and 2 and FH domains 6 and 7 fused to IgM and IgG Fc, respectively. As expected, FH6-7/IgG displaced FH from the bacterial surface while simultaneously activating complement via Fc-C1q interactions, together increasing pathogen elimination. C4BP1-2/IgM also increased serum killing of the bacteria through enhanced complement deposition, but did not displace C4BP from the surface of M. catarrhalis. These Fc fusion proteins could act as anti-infective immunotherapies. Many microbes bind the complement inhibitors C4BP and FH through the same domains as M. catarrhalis, therefore these Fc fusion proteins may be promising candidates as adjunctive therapy against many different drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisem Laabei
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Lucie Colineau
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Serena Bettoni
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Karolina Maziarz
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - David Ermert
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristian Riesbeck
- Clinical Microbiology, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Anna M Blom
- Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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37
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Garcia GR, Chaves Ribeiro JM, Maruyama SR, Gardinassi LG, Nelson K, Ferreira BR, Andrade TG, de Miranda Santos IKF. A transcriptome and proteome of the tick Rhipicephalus microplus shaped by the genetic composition of its hosts and developmental stage. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12857. [PMID: 32732984 PMCID: PMC7393499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69793-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is a monoxenous tick that co-evolved with indicine cattle on the Indian subcontinent. It causes massive damage to livestock worldwide. Cattle breeds present heritable, contrasting phenotypes of tick loads, taurine breeds carrying higher loads of the parasite than indicine breeds. Thus, a useful model is available to analyze mechanisms that determine outcomes of parasitism. We sought to gain insights on these mechanisms and used RNA sequencing and Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT) to generate a transcriptome from whole larvae and salivary glands from nymphs, males and females feeding on genetically susceptible and resistant bovine hosts and their corresponding proteomes. 931,698 reads were annotated into 11,676 coding sequences (CDS), which were manually curated into 116 different protein families. Male ticks presented the most diverse armamentarium of mediators of parasitism. In addition, levels of expression of many genes encoding mediators of parasitism were significantly associated with the level and stage of host immunity and/or were temporally restricted to developmental stages of the tick. These insights should assist in developing novel, sustainable technologies for tick control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo R Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.,Superintendence of the São Paulo State Technical and Scientific Police, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Marcos Chaves Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sandra Regina Maruyama
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.,Department of Genetics and Evolution, Center for Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gustavo Gardinassi
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.,Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Kristina Nelson
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Beatriz R Ferreira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.,Department of Maternal-Child Nursing and Public Health, Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Thales Galdino Andrade
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.,Department of Maternal-Child Nursing and Public Health, Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabel K Ferreira de Miranda Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
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38
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Bacterial killing by complement requires direct anchoring of membrane attack complex precursor C5b-7. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008606. [PMID: 32569291 PMCID: PMC7351214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
An important effector function of the human complement system is to directly kill Gram-negative bacteria via Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) pores. MAC pores are assembled when surface-bound convertase enzymes convert C5 into C5b, which together with C6, C7, C8 and multiple copies of C9 forms a transmembrane pore that damages the bacterial cell envelope. Recently, we found that bacterial killing by MAC pores requires local conversion of C5 by surface-bound convertases. In this study we aimed to understand why local assembly of MAC pores is essential for bacterial killing. Here, we show that rapid interaction of C7 with C5b6 is required to form bactericidal MAC pores on Escherichia coli. Binding experiments with fluorescently labelled C6 show that C7 prevents release of C5b6 from the bacterial surface. Moreover, trypsin shaving experiments and atomic force microscopy revealed that this rapid interaction between C7 and C5b6 is crucial to efficiently anchor C5b-7 to the bacterial cell envelope and form complete MAC pores. Using complement-resistant clinical E. coli strains, we show that bacterial pathogens can prevent complement-dependent killing by interfering with the anchoring of C5b-7. While C5 convertase assembly was unaffected, these resistant strains blocked efficient anchoring of C5b-7 and thus prevented stable insertion of MAC pores into the bacterial cell envelope. Altogether, these findings provide basic molecular insights into how bactericidal MAC pores are assembled and how bacteria evade MAC-dependent killing. In this paper we focus on how the complement system, an essential part of the immune system, kills bacteria via so-called membrane attack complex (MAC) pores. The MAC is a large, ring-shaped pore that consists of five different proteins, which is assembled when the complement system is activated on the bacterial surface. Here, we aimed to better understand how MAC pores are assembled on Escherichia coli and how clinical E. coli strains resist killing by MAC pores. We uncover that rapid recruitment of one of the MAC proteins, namely C7, is crucial to efficiently anchor the MAC precursor to the bacterial surface and ensure killing of a variety of E. coli strains via MAC pores. Furthermore, we reveal that some clinical E. coli strains prevent this efficient anchoring of MAC precursors and thereby resist bacterial killing. These insights help us to better understand how the immune system kills bacteria and how pathogenic bacteria evade this.
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39
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Moghimi SM, Simberg D, Papini E, Farhangrazi ZS. Complement activation by drug carriers and particulate pharmaceuticals: Principles, challenges and opportunities. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 157:83-95. [PMID: 32389761 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Considering the multifaceted protective and homeostatic roles of the complement system, many consequences arise when drug carriers, and particulate pharmaceutical formulations clash with complement proteins, and trigger complement cascade. Complement activation may induce formulation destabilization, promote opsonization, and affect biological and therapeutic performance of pharmaceutical nano- and micro-particles. In some cases, complement activation is beneficial, where complement may play a role in prophylactic protection, whereas uncontrolled complement activation is deleterious, and contributes to disease progression. Accordingly, design initiatives with particulate medicines should consider complement activation properties of the end formulation within the context of administration route, dosing, systems biology, and therapeutic perspective. Here we examine current progress in mechanistic processes underlying complement activation by pre-clinical and clinical particles, identify opportunities and challenges ahead, and suggest future directions in nanomedicine-complement interface research.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Moein Moghimi
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, Skagg's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Dmitri Simberg
- Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety, Skagg's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Translational Bio-Nanosciences Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Emanuele Papini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy; CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padua, Padua 35121, Italy
| | - Z Shadi Farhangrazi
- S. M. Discovery Group Inc., Denver, CO, USA; S. M. Discovery Group Ltd., Durham, UK
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40
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Abstract
The complement system is a crucial antimicrobial system in the human body. However, controlling its regulation is essential, and failure to do so is implicated in a number of clinical inflammatory pathologies leading to great interest in therapeutic complement inhibition. We have identified and characterized a class of complement inhibitors from biting ticks. Utilizing both cryoelectron microscopy and X-ray crystallography we provide a comprehensive understanding of their mechanism of inhibition at the level of the terminal pathway of complement. We present a high-resolution cryoelectron microscopy structure of complement C5, the molecule targeted by the major therapeutic Eculizumab. In addition, we reveal the fold of the CirpT family of tick inhibitors and their unique mode of inhibition. The complement system is a crucial part of innate immune defenses against invading pathogens. The blood-meal of the tick Rhipicephalus pulchellus lasts for days, and the tick must therefore rely on inhibitors to counter complement activation. We have identified a class of inhibitors from tick saliva, the CirpT family, and generated detailed structural data revealing their mechanism of action. We show direct binding of a CirpT to complement C5 and have determined the structure of the C5–CirpT complex by cryoelectron microscopy. This reveals an interaction with the peripheral macro globulin domain 4 (C5_MG4) of C5. To achieve higher resolution detail, the structure of the C5_MG4–CirpT complex was solved by X-ray crystallography (at 2.7 Å). We thus present the fold of the CirpT protein family, and provide detailed mechanistic insights into its inhibitory function. Analysis of the binding interface reveals a mechanism of C5 inhibition, and provides information to expand our biological understanding of the activation of C5, and thus the terminal complement pathway.
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A soft tick Ornithodoros moubata salivary protein OmCI is a potent inhibitor to prevent avian complement activation. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101354. [PMID: 31866440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Complement is a key first line innate host defense system in the blood of vertebrates. Upon activation, this powerful defense mechanism can elicit inflammatory responses, lyse non-self-cells, or mark them for opsonophagocytic removal. Blood-feeding arthropods thus require the ability to block host complement activation in the bloodmeal to prevent undesired cell or tissue damage during feeding. The soft tick Ornithodoros moubata produces a complement inhibitory protein, OmCI. This protein binds to a mammalian complement protein C5 and blocks further activation of complement cascades, which results in the prevention of complement-mediated bacterial killing through membrane attack complex. Interestingly, the amino acids involved in OmCI binding are highly conserved among mammalian and avian C5, but the ability of this protein to inhibit the complement from birds remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that OmCI is capable of preventing quail complement-mediated erythrocyte lysis, inhibiting the capability of this animal's complement to eliminate a serum-sensitive Lyme disease bacterial strain. We also found that the ability of OmCI to inhibit quail complement-mediated killing of Lyme disease bacteria can be extended to different domestic and wild birds. Our results illustrate the utility of OmCI to block bird complement. These results provide the foundation for further use of this protein as a tool to study the molecular basis of avian complement and pathogen evasion to such a defense mechanism.
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Bettoni S, Shaughnessy J, Maziarz K, Ermert D, Gulati S, Zheng B, Mörgelin M, Jacobsson S, Riesbeck K, Unemo M, Ram S, Blom AM. C4BP-IgM protein as a therapeutic approach to treat Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. JCI Insight 2019; 4:131886. [PMID: 31661468 PMCID: PMC6962029 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.131886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection with 87 million new cases per year globally. Increasing antibiotic resistance has severely limited treatment options. A mechanism that Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses to evade complement attack is binding of the complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP). We screened 107 porin B1a (PorB1a) and 83 PorB1b clinical isolates randomly selected from a Swedish strain collection over the last 10 years and noted that 96/107 (89.7%) PorB1a and 16/83 (19.3%) PorB1b bound C4BP; C4BP binding substantially correlated with the ability to evade complement-dependent killing (r = 0.78). We designed 2 chimeric proteins that fused C4BP domains to the backbone of IgG or IgM (C4BP-IgG; C4BP-IgM) with the aim of enhancing complement activation and killing of gonococci. Both proteins bound gonococci (KD C4BP-IgM = 2.4 nM; KD C4BP-IgG 980.7 nM), but only hexameric C4BP-IgM efficiently outcompeted heptameric C4BP from the bacterial surface, resulting in enhanced complement deposition and bacterial killing. Furthermore, C4BP-IgM substantially attenuated the duration and burden of colonization of 2 C4BP-binding gonococcal isolates but not a non-C4BP-binding strain in a mouse vaginal colonization model using human factor H/C4BP-transgenic mice. Our preclinical data present C4BP-IgM as an adjunct to conventional antimicrobials for the treatment of gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Bettoni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karolina Maziarz
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - David Ermert
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Susanne Jacobsson
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Kristian Riesbeck
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna M. Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Patriquin CJ, Kuo KHM. Eculizumab and Beyond: The Past, Present, and Future of Complement Therapeutics. Transfus Med Rev 2019; 33:256-265. [PMID: 31703946 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the complement system underlies the pathophysiology of many diseases. Renewed interest in complement occurred with the recognition that its therapeutic inhibition was possible. Terminal complement blockade with the anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab significantly changed management and clinical outcomes of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and served as a proof of concept for other complement-mediated diseases. Eculizumab is also approved for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and myasthenia gravis. Multiple new disease indications have been identified, and novel complement inhibitors are in various stages of development, with several currently in human trials. Beyond C5, these new drugs block proximal complement, pathway-specific targets, convertase activity, and anaphylatoxin function. Though monoclonal antibodies are still common, peptides, RNAi, and small molecule inhibitors provide the opportunity for different administration routes and schedules. Several challenges still exist or will soon present themselves, including mitigation of infection risk, effective monitoring strategies, and how to choose between therapeutics when more than one is available. In this review, we will describe the lessons learned from the "eculizumab era," present many of the novel therapeutics currently or soon to be in trials, and highlight some of the challenges that will require attention as the field progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Patriquin
- Division of Hematology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Divison of Medical Oncology & Hematology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Kevin H M Kuo
- Division of Hematology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Divison of Medical Oncology & Hematology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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44
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Targeting Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury: The Journey From Basic Science to Novel Therapies. Crit Care Med 2019; 46:e452-e458. [PMID: 29384784 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000002989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transfusion-related acute lung injury is characterized by the onset of respiratory distress and acute lung injury following blood transfusion, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Generally, a two-hit model is presumed to underlie transfusion-related acute lung injury with the first hit being risk factors present in the transfused patient (such as inflammation), whereas the second hit is conveyed by factors in the transfused donor blood (such as antileukocyte antibodies). At least 80% of transfusion-related acute lung injury cases are related to the presence of donor antibodies such as antihuman leukocyte or antihuman neutrophil antibodies. The remaining cases may be related to nonantibody-mediated factors such as biolipids or components related to storage and ageing of the transfused blood cells. At present, transfusion-related acute lung injury is the leading cause of transfusion-related fatalities and no specific therapy is clinically available. In this article, we critically appraise and discuss recent preclinical (bench) insights related to transfusion-related acute lung injury pathogenesis and their therapeutic potential for future use at the patients' bedside in order to combat this devastating and possibly fatal complication of transfusion. DATA SOURCES We searched the PubMed database (until August 22, 2017). STUDY SELECTION Using terms: "Transfusion-related acute lung injury," "TRALI," "TRALI and therapy," "TRALI pathogenesis." DATA EXTRACTION English-written articles focusing on transfusion-related acute lung injury pathogenesis, with potential therapeutic implications, were extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS We have identified potential therapeutic approaches based on the literature. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the most promising therapeutic strategies to explore are interleukin-10 therapy, down-modulating C-reactive protein levels, targeting reactive oxygen species, or blocking the interleukin-8 receptors; all focused on the transfused recipient. In the long-run, it may perhaps also be advantageous to explore other strategies aimed at the transfused recipient or aimed toward the blood product, but these will require more validation and confirmation first.
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45
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Sezin T, Murthy S, Attah C, Seutter M, Holtsche MM, Hammers CM, Schmidt E, Meshrkey F, Mousavi S, Zillikens D, Nunn MA, Sadik CD. Dual inhibition of complement factor 5 and leukotriene B4 synergistically suppresses murine pemphigoid disease. JCI Insight 2019; 4:128239. [PMID: 31391346 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.128239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of most autoimmune diseases still relies on systemic immunosuppression and is associated with severe side effects. The development of drugs that more specifically abrogate pathogenic pathways is therefore most desirable. In nature, such specificity is exemplified, e.g., by the soft tick-derived biotherapeutic Coversin, which locally suppresses immune responses by inhibiting complement factor 5 (C5) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). C5a, a proteolytic fragment of C5, and LTB4 are critical drivers of skin inflammation in pemphigoid diseases (PDs), a group of autoimmune blistering skin diseases. Here, we demonstrate that both Coversin and its mutated form L-Coversin, which inhibits LTB4 only, dose dependently attenuate disease in a model of bullous pemphigoid-like epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (BP-like EBA). Coversin, however, reduces disease more effectively than L-Coversin, indicating that inhibition of C5 and LTB4 synergize in their suppressing effects in this model. Further supporting the therapeutic potential of Coversin in humans, we found that C5a and LTB4 are both present in the blister fluid of patients with BP in quantities inducing the recruitment of granulocytes and that the number of cells expressing their receptors, C5aR1 and BLT1, respectively, is increased in perilesional skin. Collectively, our results highlight Coversin and possibly L-Coversin as potential therapeutics for PDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Sezin
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Enno Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute for Experimental Dermatology, and.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Detlef Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Christian D Sadik
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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46
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Štibrániová I, Bartíková P, Holíková V, Kazimírová M. Deciphering Biological Processes at the Tick-Host Interface Opens New Strategies for Treatment of Human Diseases. Front Physiol 2019; 10:830. [PMID: 31333488 PMCID: PMC6617849 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasites, causing blood loss and skin damage in their hosts. In addition, ticks also transmit a number of various pathogenic microorganisms that cause serious diseases in humans and animals. Ticks evolved a wide array of salivary bioactive compounds that, upon injection into the host skin, inhibit or modulate host reactions such as hemostasis, inflammation and wound healing. Modulation of the tick attachment site in the host skin involves mainly molecules which affect physiological processes orchestrated by cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Suppressing host defense reactions is crucial for tick survival and reproduction. Furthermore, pharmacologically active compounds in tick saliva have a promising therapeutic potential for treatment of some human diseases connected with disorders in hemostasis and immune system. These disorders are often associated to alterations in signaling pathways and dysregulation or overexpression of specific cytokines which, in turn, affect mechanisms of angiogenesis, cell motility and cytoskeletal regulation. Moreover, tick salivary molecules were found to exert cytotoxic and cytolytic effects on various tumor cells and have anti-angiogenic properties. Elucidation of the mode of action of tick bioactive molecules on the regulation of cell processes in their mammalian hosts could provide new tools for understanding the complex changes leading to immune disorders and cancer. Tick bioactive molecules may also be exploited as new pharmacological inhibitors of the signaling pathways of cytokines and thus help alleviate patient discomfort and increase patient survival. We review the current knowledge about tick salivary peptides and proteins that have been identified and functionally characterized in in vitro and/or in vivo models and their therapeutic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Štibrániová
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavlína Bartíková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viera Holíková
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Kazimírová
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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47
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Chmelař J, Kotál J, Kovaříková A, Kotsyfakis M. The Use of Tick Salivary Proteins as Novel Therapeutics. Front Physiol 2019; 10:812. [PMID: 31297067 PMCID: PMC6607933 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The last three decades of research into tick salivary components have revealed several proteins with important pharmacological and immunological activities. Two primary interests have driven research into tick salivary secretions: the search for suitable pathogen transmission blocking or “anti-tick” vaccine candidates and the search for novel therapeutics derived from tick salivary components. Intensive basic research in the field of tick salivary gland transcriptomics and proteomics has identified several major protein families that play important roles in tick feeding and overcoming vertebrate anti-tick responses. Moreover, these families contain members with unrealized therapeutic potential. Here we review the major tick salivary protein families exploitable in medical applications such as immunomodulation, inhibition of hemostasis and inflammation. Moreover, we discuss the potential, opportunities, and challenges in searching for novel tick-derived drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jindřich Chmelař
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Jan Kotál
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Anna Kovaříková
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Parasitology, České Budějovice, Czechia
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48
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Risitano AM, Marotta S, Ricci P, Marano L, Frieri C, Cacace F, Sica M, Kulasekararaj A, Calado RT, Scheinberg P, Notaro R, Peffault de Latour R. Anti-complement Treatment for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: Time for Proximal Complement Inhibition? A Position Paper From the SAAWP of the EBMT. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1157. [PMID: 31258525 PMCID: PMC6587878 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria has been revolutionized by the introduction of the anti-C5 agent eculizumab; however, eculizumab is not the cure for Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), and room for improvement remains. Indeed, the hematological benefit during eculizumab treatment for PNH is very heterogeneous among patients, and different response categories can be identified. Complete normalization of hemoglobin (complete and major hematological response), is seen in no more than one third of patients, while the remaining continue to experience some degree of anemia (good and partial hematological responses), in some cases requiring regular red blood cell transfusions (minor hematological response). Different factors contribute to residual anemia during eculizumab treatment: underlying bone marrow dysfunction, residual intravascular hemolysis and the emergence of C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis. These two latter pathogenic mechanisms are the target of novel strategies of anti-complement treatments, which can be split into terminal and proximal complement inhibitors. Many novel terminal complement inhibitors are now in clinical development: they all target C5 (as eculizumab), potentially paralleling the efficacy and safety profile of eculizumab. Possible advantages over eculizumab are long-lasting activity and subcutaneous self-administration. However, novel anti-C5 agents do not improve hematological response to eculizumab, even if some seem associated with a lower risk of breakthrough hemolysis caused by pharmacokinetic reasons (it remains unclear whether more effective inhibition of C5 is possible and clinically beneficial). Indeed, proximal inhibitors are designed to interfere with early phases of complement activation, eventually preventing C3-mediated extravascular hemolysis in addition to intravascular hemolysis. At the moment there are three strategies of proximal complement inhibition: anti-C3 agents, anti-factor D agents and anti-factor B agents. These agents are available either subcutaneously or orally, and have been investigated in monotherapy or in association with eculizumab in PNH patients. Preliminary data clearly demonstrate that proximal complement inhibition is pharmacologically feasible and apparently safe, and may drastically improve the hematological response to complement inhibition in PNH. Indeed, we envision a new scenario of therapeutic complement inhibition, where proximal inhibitors (either anti-C3, anti-FD or anti-FB) may prove effective for the treatment of PNH, either in monotherapy or in combination with anti-C5 agents, eventually leading to drastic improvement of hematological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio M. Risitano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Serena Marotta
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Luana Marano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Camilla Frieri
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Cacace
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Sica
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Gene Transfer, Core Research Laboratory - Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Austin Kulasekararaj
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Gene Transfer, Core Research Laboratory - Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, National Institute of Health Research/Wellcome King's Clinical Research Facility, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo T. Calado
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Phillip Scheinberg
- Division of Hematology, Hospital A Beneficência Portuguesa, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosario Notaro
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Gene Transfer, Core Research Laboratory - Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Regis Peffault de Latour
- Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Leiden, Netherlands
- French Reference Center for Aplastic Anemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, Saint Louis Hospital and University Paris Diderot, Paris, France
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49
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RNA-seq analysis of the salivary glands and midgut of the Argasid tick Ornithodoros rostratus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6764. [PMID: 31043627 PMCID: PMC6494864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ornithodoros rostratus is a South American argasid tick which importance relies on its itchy bite and potential as disease vector. They feed on a wide variety of hosts and secrete different molecules in their saliva and intestinal content that counteract host defences and help to accommodate and metabolize the relatively large quantity of blood upon feeding. The present work describes the transcriptome profile of salivary gland (SG) and midgut (MG) of O. rostratus using Illumina sequencing. A total of 8,031 contigs were assembled and assigned to different functional classes. Secreted proteins were the most abundant in the SG and accounted for ~67% of all expressed transcripts with contigs with identity to lipocalins and acid tail proteins being the most representative. On the other hand, immunity genes were upregulated in MG with a predominance of defensins and lysozymes. Only 10 transcripts in SG and 8 in MG represented ~30% of all RNA expressed in each tissue and one single contig (the acid tail protein ORN-9707) represented ~7% of all expressed contigs in SG. Results highlight the functional difference of each organ and identified the most expressed classes and contigs of O. rostratus SG and MG.
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50
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Mans BJ. Chemical Equilibrium at the Tick-Host Feeding Interface:A Critical Examination of Biological Relevance in Hematophagous Behavior. Front Physiol 2019; 10:530. [PMID: 31118903 PMCID: PMC6504839 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks secrete hundreds to thousands of proteins into the feeding site, that presumably all play important functions in the modulation of host defense mechanisms. The current review considers the assumption that tick proteins have functional relevance during feeding. The feeding site may be described as a closed system and could be treated as an ideal equilibrium system, thereby allowing modeling of tick-host interactions in an equilibrium state. In this equilibrium state, the concentration of host and tick proteins and their affinities will determine functional relevance at the tick-host interface. Using this approach, many characterized tick proteins may have functional relevant concentrations and affinities at the feeding site. Conversely, the feeding site is not an ideal closed system, but is dynamic and changing, leading to possible overestimation of tick protein concentration at the feeding site and consequently an overestimation of functional relevance. Ticks have evolved different possible strategies to deal with this dynamic environment and overcome the barrier that equilibrium kinetics poses to tick feeding. Even so, cognisance of the limitations that equilibrium binding place on deductions of functional relevance should serve as an important incentive to determine both the concentration and affinity of tick proteins proposed to be functional at the feeding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J. Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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