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de Araújo LP, de Melo Santos NC, Corsetti PP, de Almeida LA. Immunoinformatic Approach for Rational Identification of Immunogenic Peptides Against Host Entry and/or Exit Mpox Proteins and Potential Multiepitope Vaccine Construction. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:S285-S292. [PMID: 37804521 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has intensified humanity's concern about the emergence of new pandemics. Since 2018, epidemic outbreaks of the mpox virus have become worrisome. In June 2022, the World Health Organization declared the disease a global health emergency, with 14 500 cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 60 countries. Therefore, the development of a vaccine based on the current virus genome is paramount in combating new cases. In view of this, we hypothesized the obtainment of rational immunogenic peptides predicted from proteins responsible for entry of the mpox virus into the host (A17L, A26L/A30L, A33R, H2R, L1R), exit (A27L, A35R, A36R, C19L), and both (B5R). To achieve this, we aligned the genome sequencing data of mpox virus isolated from an infected individual in the United States in June 2022 (ON674051.1) with the reference genome dated 2001 (NC_003310.1) for conservation analysis. The Immune Epitope Database server was used for the identification and characterization of the epitopes of each protein related to major histocompatibility complex I or II interaction and recognition by B-cell receptors, resulting in 138 epitopes for A17L, 233 for A28L, 48 for A33R, 77 for H2R, 77 for L1R, 270 for A27L, 72 for A35R, A36R, 148 for C19L, and 276 for B5R. These epitopes were tested in silico for antigenicity, physicochemical properties, and allergenicity, resulting in 51, 40, 10, 34, 38, 57, 25, 7, 47, and 53 epitopes, respectively. Additionally, to select an epitope with the highest promiscuity of binding to major histocompatibility complexes and B-cell receptor simultaneously, all epitopes of each protein were aligned, and the most repetitive and antigenic regions were identified. By classifying the results, we obtained 23 epitopes from the entry proteins, 16 from the exit proteins, and 7 from both. Subsequently, 1 epitope from each protein was selected, and all 3 were fused to construct a chimeric protein that has potential as a multiepitope vaccine. The constructed vaccine was then analyzed for its physicochemical, antigenic, and allergenic properties. Protein modeling, molecular dynamics, and molecular docking were performed on Toll-like receptors 2, 4, and 8, followed by in silico immune simulation of the vaccine. Finally, the results indicate an effective, stable, and safe vaccine that can be further tested, especially in vitro and in vivo, to validate the findings demonstrated in silico.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrícia Paiva Corsetti
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
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Rosa CP, Belo TCA, Santos NCDM, Silva EN, Gasparotto J, Corsetti PP, de Almeida LA. Reactive oxygen species trigger inflammasome activation after intracellular microbial interaction. Life Sci 2023; 331:122076. [PMID: 37683723 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), composed of oxygen-reduced molecules, is important not only because of their lethal effects on microorganisms but also due to their potential inflammatory and metabolic regulation properties. The ROS pro-inflammatory properties are associated with the second signal to inflammasome activation, leading to cleaving pro-IL-1β and pro-IL18 before their secretion, as well as gasdermin-D, leading to pyroptosis. Some microorganisms can modulate NLRP3 and AIM-2 inflammasomes through ROS production: whilst Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium kansasii, Francisella novicida, Brucella abortus, Listeria monocytogenes, Influenza virus, Syncytial respiratory virus, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, SARS-CoV, Mayaro virus, Leishmania amazonensis and Plasmodium sp. enhance inflammasome assembly, Hepatitis B virus, Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Francisella tularensis and Leishmania sp. disrupt it. This process represents a recent cornerstone in our knowledge of the immunology of intracellular pathogens, which is reviewed in this mini-review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Pupin Rosa
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thiago Caetano Andrade Belo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Natália Cristina de Melo Santos
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Evandro Neves Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juciano Gasparotto
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Paiva Corsetti
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Augusto de Almeida
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL), Alfenas 37130-001, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Belo TCA, Santos NCDM, Souto BS, Rosa CP, Santos ADS, Oliveira KC, Corsetti PP, de Almeida LA. Ivermectin-induced bacterial gut dysbiosis does not increase susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection but exacerbates liver damage. Microbes Infect 2022; 25:105080. [PMID: 36503045 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.105080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Excessive use of medications, including the antiparasitic drug ivermectin, can lead to bacterial gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in the intestinal microbiome, which in turn may increase or decrease susceptibility to infectious processes. To better understand the effects of continuous ivermectin usage on the gut bacterial community, C57BL/6 isogenic mice were treated by gavage with ivermectin or saline. Ivermectin-induced bacterial gut dysbiosis is characterized by a decrease in Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Tenericutes and an increase in species of the phylum Verrucomicrobia. A pro-inflammatory immunostimulatory caecal content, as well as disruption of caecal tissue organization and liver tissue damage, was observed in mice with gut dysbiosis. However, ivermectin-induced gut dysbiosis did not lead to acute susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection: infected mice with and without gut dysbiosis showed similar rates of recovery of viable bacteria in organs, histopathology and differential cytokine expression in the lung. Therefore, an extension of liver damage was observed in ivermectin-treated and P. aeruginosa-infected mice, which was exacerbated by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Caetano Andrade Belo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Natália Cristina de Melo Santos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Bianca Silva Souto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Caio Pupin Rosa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Ana de Souza Santos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Karen Cristina Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Paiva Corsetti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Augusto de Almeida
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil.
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Santana AB, Souto BS, Santos NCDM, Pereira JA, Tagliati CA, Novaes RD, Corsetti PP, de Almeida LA. Murine response to the opportunistic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in gut dysbiosis caused by 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Life Sci 2022; 307:120890. [PMID: 35988752 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This manuscript aims to explain the relationship between mucositis caused by 5-FU over gut bacterial species and susceptibility to opportunistic infection caused by P. aeruginosa. MAIN METHODS BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally treated with PBS or 5-FU. Bodyweight and faecal consistency were checked daily. Mice faecal DNA was extracted, and bacterial phylogenetic groups were analysed using qPCR or high-throughput sequencing. Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate BMDM activation by mice-treated faecal content. Mice were challenged intratracheally with virulent P. aeruginosa, and the CFU and histology were analysed. Faecal microbiota were transplanted to evaluate the gut microbiota and resistance to pulmonary P. aeruginosa recovery. KEY FINDINGS The animals treated with 5-FU presented mucositis with great weight loss, altered faecal consistency, bacterial gut dysbiosis and histological changes in the intestinal mucosa. Mice under 5-FU treatment were more susceptible to lung infection by the bacteria P. aeruginosa and had more extensive tissue damage during their lung infection with greater pro-inflammatory gene expression. It was observed that the mucositis remained in the groups with 5-FU even with the FMT. The results caused by mucositis in animals that received allogeneic FMT were reversed, however, with a decrease in P. aeruginosa susceptibility in animals treated with 5-FU and allogeneic FMT compared to animals treated with 5-FU and autologous FMT. SIGNIFICANCE Treatment with 5-FU in a murine model makes it more susceptible to pulmonary infection by the bacterium P. aeruginosa, FMT offers an opportunity to protect against this susceptibility to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Brandão Santana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Bianca Silva Souto
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Natália Cristina de Melo Santos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Assis Pereira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Tagliati
- Laboratory of Toxicology (LabTox), Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Paiva Corsetti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Augusto de Almeida
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Brazil.
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Rosa CP, Pereira JA, Cristina de Melo Santos N, Brancaglion GA, Silva EN, Tagliati CA, Novaes RD, Corsetti PP, de Almeida LA. Vancomycin-induced gut dysbiosis during Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infection in a mice model. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 107:95-104. [PMID: 31682032 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.4ab0919-432r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens causing respiratory infections in hospitals. Vancomycin, the antimicrobial agent usually used to treat bacterial nosocomial infections, is associated with gut dysbiosis. As a lung-gut immunologic axis has been described, this study aimed to evaluate both the immunologic and histopathologic effects on the lungs and the large intestine resulting from vancomycin-induced gut dysbiosis in the P. aeruginosa pneumonia murine model. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that vancomycin-induced gut dysbiosis resulted in higher Proteobacteria and lower Bacteroidetes populations in feces. Given that gut dysbiosis could augment the proinflammatory status of the intestines leading to a variety of acute inflammatory diseases, bone marrow-derived macrophages were stimulated with cecal content from dysbiotic mice showing a higher expression of proinflammatory cytokines and lower expression of IL-10. Dysbiotic mice showed higher levels of viable bacteria in the lungs and spleen when acutely infected with P. aeruginosa, with more lung and cecal damage and increased IL-10 expression in bronchoalveolar lavage. The susceptible and tissue damage phenotype was reversed when dysbiotic mice received fecal microbiota transplantation. In spite of higher recruitment of CD11b+ cells in the lungs, there was no higher CD80+ expression, DC+ cell amounts or proinflammatory cytokine expression. Taken together, our results indicate that the bacterial community found in vancomycin-induced dysbiosis dysregulates the gut inflammatory status, influencing the lung-gut immunologic axis to favor increased opportunistic infections, for example, by P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Pupin Rosa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Assis Pereira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Evandro Neves Silva
- Laboratory of Infectious and Chronic Diseases (LIDIC), José do Rosário Vellano University, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Tagliati
- Laboratory of Toxicology (LabTox), Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Dias Novaes
- Department of Structural Biology, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Paiva Corsetti
- Laboratory of Infectious and Chronic Diseases (LIDIC), José do Rosário Vellano University, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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