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Dusing MR, LaSarge CL, Drake AW, Westerkamp GC, McCoy C, Hetzer SM, Kraus KL, Pedapati EV, Danzer SC. Transient Seizure Clusters and Epileptiform Activity Following Widespread Bilateral Hippocampal Interneuron Ablation. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0317-23.2024. [PMID: 38575351 PMCID: PMC11036118 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0317-23.2024] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Interneuron loss is a prominent feature of temporal lobe epilepsy in both animals and humans and is hypothesized to be critical for epileptogenesis. As loss occurs concurrently with numerous other potentially proepileptogenic changes, however, the impact of interneuron loss in isolation remains unclear. For the present study, we developed an intersectional genetic approach to induce bilateral diphtheria toxin-mediated deletion of Vgat-expressing interneurons from dorsal and ventral hippocampus. In a separate group of mice, the same population was targeted for transient neuronal silencing with DREADDs. Interneuron ablation produced dramatic seizure clusters and persistent epileptiform activity. Surprisingly, after 1 week seizure activity declined precipitously and persistent epileptiform activity disappeared. Occasional seizures (≈1/day) persisted to the end of the experiment at 4 weeks. In contrast to the dramatic impact of interneuron ablation, transient silencing produced large numbers of interictal spikes, a significant but modest increase in seizure occurrence and changes in EEG frequency band power. Taken together, findings suggest that the hippocampus regains relative homeostasis-with occasional breakthrough seizures-in the face of an extensive and abrupt loss of interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Dusing
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Candi L LaSarge
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Austin W Drake
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Grace C Westerkamp
- Division of Child Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Carlie McCoy
- Division of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Shelby M Hetzer
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Kimberly L Kraus
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Ernest V Pedapati
- Division of Child Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
| | - Steve C Danzer
- Department of Anesthesia, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039
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Grönthal TSC, Lehto AK, Aarnio SS, Eskola EK, Aimo-Koivisto EM, Karlsson T, Koskinen HI, Barkoff AM, He Q, Lienemann T, Rimhanen-Finne R, Mykkänen A. Pastern dermatitis outbreak associated with toxigenic and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans at a horse stable in Finland, 2021. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:127-135. [PMID: 37926867 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13090] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans, when producing toxin, are the cause of diphtheria, a potentially life-threatening illness in humans. Horses (Equus ferus caballus) are known to be susceptible to infection that may manifest clinically on rare occasions. In late 2021 and early 2022, specimens from five horses suffering from pastern dermatitis were cultured at the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. C. diphtheriae and/or C. ulcerans were recovered from all of these. This study aimed to (1) analyse the bacterial isolates and (2) describe the outbreak and identify possible sources of the infection and infection routes in the stable. METHODS AND RESULTS Susceptibility testing, PCR for the tox gene, and Elek test for toxin production in PCR-positive isolates were performed. Whole genome sequencing was also conducted to achieve high-resolution strain typing. An epidemiological survey was done by means of a semi-structured interview of horses' caretaker, and contact tracing was done among people at the stable. Two tox gene-positive, toxin-producing C. diphtheriae belonged to sequence type (ST) 822. Other C. diphtheriae (n = 2, ST828) and C. ulcerans (n = 2, ST325 and ST838) isolates did not carry the tox gene. The epidemiological investigation explored numerous possible routes of transmission, but the definite source of infection was not identified. All established human contacts tested negative for diphtheriae. All horses recovered after antimicrobial treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans may readily spread among horses at the same stable and complicate pastern dermatitis infections. These potentially zoonotic bacteria can cause outbreaks even in a country with a very low prevalence. Caretakers should be encouraged to wear gloves and practice good hand hygiene when treating infected skin lesions in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Sven Christer Grönthal
- Animal Health Diagnostics Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Karoliina Lehto
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Sofia Aarnio
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eva Katarina Eskola
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Marjaana Aimo-Koivisto
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Karlsson
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heli Irmeli Koskinen
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alex-Mikael Barkoff
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Center for Infections and Immunity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Qiushui He
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Center for Infections and Immunity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Taru Lienemann
- Animal Health Diagnostics Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ruska Rimhanen-Finne
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Mykkänen
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Omosigho PO, John OO, Adigun OA, Hassan HK, Olabode ON, Micheal AS, Haruna UA, Singh A, Manirambona E. The Re-emergence of Diphtheria Amidst Multiple Outbreaks in Nigeria. Infect Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:20-28. [PMID: 38018182 DOI: 10.2174/0118715265251299231117045940] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, has resurfaced in Nigeria, where many outbreaks have been reported in recent years. The outbreaks have occurred across the country, including in areas with high vaccination coverage. Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causal agent, is a highly contagious bacteria that can cause severe respiratory and systemic symptoms and can be fatal if not treated. The reemergence of diphtheria in Nigeria is most likely due to a combination of factors, including gaps in routine immunization regimens. The outbreak is further aggravated by multiple epidemics, which have diverted resources and attention away from the emergency of other infectious diseases. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness of diphtheria in Nigeria. With a focus on the difficulties in controlling the disease, methods of diagnosis, available treatments, and preventive measures, this study provides a thorough analysis of diphtheria, covering its historical context, clinical presentation, associated complications, and current outbreaks. It emphasizes how important vaccination, early detection, and better access to healthcare are in reducing diphtheria outbreaks. The study highlights the serious effects of diphtheria on public health, particularly in regions with scarce resources and vaccine resistance, and offers a number of suggestions to overcome these challenges and prevent further outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pius Omoruyi Omosigho
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University Uzairue, Benin, Nigeria
| | - Okesanya Olalekan John
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Olaleke Noah Olabode
- Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Abioye Sunday Micheal
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
| | | | - Amandeep Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Emery Manirambona
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
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Ütkür K, Schmidt S, Mayer K, Klassen R, Brinkmann U, Schaffrath R. DPH1 Gene Mutations Identify a Candidate SAM Pocket in Radical Enzyme Dph1•Dph2 for Diphthamide Synthesis on EF2. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1655. [PMID: 38002337 PMCID: PMC10669111 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111655] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, the Dph1•Dph2 dimer is a non-canonical radical SAM enzyme. Using iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters, it cleaves the cosubstrate S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) to form a 3-amino-3-carboxy-propyl (ACP) radical for the synthesis of diphthamide. The latter decorates a histidine residue on elongation factor 2 (EF2) conserved from archaea to yeast and humans and is important for accurate mRNA translation and protein synthesis. Guided by evidence from archaeal orthologues, we searched for a putative SAM-binding pocket in Dph1•Dph2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We predict an SAM-binding pocket near the FeS cluster domain that is conserved across eukaryotes in Dph1 but not Dph2. Site-directed DPH1 mutagenesis and functional characterization through assay diagnostics for the loss of diphthamide reveal that the SAM pocket is essential for synthesis of the décor on EF2 in vivo. Further evidence from structural modeling suggests particularly critical residues close to the methionine moiety of SAM. Presumably, they facilitate a geometry specific for SAM cleavage and ACP radical formation that distinguishes Dph1•Dph2 from classical radical SAM enzymes, which generate canonical 5'-deoxyadenosyl (dAdo) radicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray Ütkür
- Institut für Biologie, Fachgebiet Mikrobiologie, Universität Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (K.Ü.); (S.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Sarina Schmidt
- Institut für Biologie, Fachgebiet Mikrobiologie, Universität Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (K.Ü.); (S.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Klaus Mayer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany; (K.M.); (U.B.)
| | - Roland Klassen
- Institut für Biologie, Fachgebiet Mikrobiologie, Universität Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany; (K.Ü.); (S.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany; (K.M.); (U.B.)
| | - Raffael Schaffrath
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany; (K.M.); (U.B.)
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5
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Palacio-Castañeda V, van de Crommert B, Verploegen E, Overeem M, van Oostrum J, Verdurmen WP. Potent and selective eradication of tumor cells by an EpCAM-targeted Ras-degrading enzyme. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 30:16-26. [PMID: 37485031 PMCID: PMC10362089 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.06.002] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of efforts, an urgent need remains to develop tumor cell-selective rat sarcoma (Ras)-targeting therapies that can treat patients with Ras-driven tumors. Here we report modular engineered proteins that degrade Ras selectively in tumor cells that overexpress the tumor cell marker epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) by fusing the Ras degrader Ras-Rap1-specific endopeptidase with the translocation domain of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (ETA) or diphtheria toxin (DT). Redirection to EpCAM is achieved by a designed ankyrin repeat protein. In two-dimensional tumor cell cultures, complete degradation of Ras proteins after 24 h was observed with EpCAM-targeted Ras degraders fused to ETA or DT in EpCAM-overexpressing MCF7 and HCT116 cells, with median inhibition concentration values at sub-nanomolar levels. The viability of EpCAM-low non-cancerous fibroblasts remained unaffected. In a three-dimensional (3D) tumor-on-a-chip system that mimics the natural tumor microenvironment, effective Ras degradation and selective toxicity toward tumor cells, particularly with the ETA-fused constructs, was determined on-chip. To conclude, we demonstrate the potential of modular engineered proteins to kill tumor cells highly selectively by simultaneously exploiting EpCAM as a tumor-specific cell surface molecule as well as Ras as an intracellular oncotarget in a 3D system mimicking the natural tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bas van de Crommert
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elke Verploegen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike Overeem
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny van Oostrum
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter P.R. Verdurmen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Arend M, Ütkür K, Hawer H, Mayer K, Ranjan N, Adrian L, Brinkmann U, Schaffrath R. Yeast gene KTI13 (alias DPH8) operates in the initiation step of diphthamide synthesis on elongation factor 2. Microb Cell 2023; 10:195-203. [PMID: 37662670 PMCID: PMC10468694 DOI: 10.15698/mic2023.09.804] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
In yeast, Elongator-dependent tRNA modifications are regulated by the Kti11•Kti13 dimer and hijacked for cell killing by zymocin, a tRNase ribotoxin. Kti11 (alias Dph3) also controls modification of elongation factor 2 (EF2) with diphthamide, the target for lethal ADP-ribosylation by diphtheria toxin (DT). Diphthamide formation on EF2 involves four biosynthetic steps encoded by the DPH1-DPH7 network and an ill-defined KTI13 function. On further examining the latter gene in yeast, we found that kti13Δ null-mutants maintain unmodified EF2 able to escape ADP-ribosylation by DT and to survive EF2 inhibition by sordarin, a diphthamide-dependent antifungal. Consistently, mass spectrometry shows kti13Δ cells are blocked in proper formation of amino-carboxyl-propyl-EF2, the first diphthamide pathway intermediate. Thus, apart from their common function in tRNA modification, both Kti11/Dph3 and Kti13 share roles in the initiation step of EF2 modification. We suggest an alias KTI13/DPH8 nomenclature indicating dual-functionality analogous to KTI11/DPH3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Arend
- Institute of Biology, Division of Microbiology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Koray Ütkür
- Institute of Biology, Division of Microbiology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Harmen Hawer
- Institute of Biology, Division of Microbiology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Klaus Mayer
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center München, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Namit Ranjan
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lorenz Adrian
- Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center München, Nonnenwald 2, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Raffael Schaffrath
- Institute of Biology, Division of Microbiology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Str. 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
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7
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Wang Z, Ma J, Zhang H, Ramakrishna R, Mintzlaff D, Mathes DW, Pomfret EA, Lucia MS, Gao D, Haverkos BM, Wang Z. CCR4-IL2 bispecific immunotoxin is more effective than brentuximab for targeted therapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in a mouse CTCL model. FEBS Open Bio 2023. [PMID: 37157185 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13625] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) encompasses two main subtypes: mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. Global response rates for the systemic treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are approximately 30% and none of these treatments are thought to be curative. C-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4) and CD25 are encouraging targets for the treatment of CTCL and are individually targeted by mogamulizumab and denileukin diftitox, respectively. We developed a novel CCR4-IL2 bispecific immunotoxin (CCR4-IL2 IT) targeting both CCR4 and CD25. CCR4-IL2 IT demonstrated superior efficacy against CCR4+ CD25+ CD30+ CTCL in an immunodeficient NSG mouse tumor model. Investigative New Drug-enabling studies of CCR4-IL2 IT are ongoing, including Good Manufacturing Practice production and toxicology studies. In this study, we compared the in vivo efficacy of CCR4-IL2 IT versus the US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, brentuximab, using an immunodeficient mouse CTCL model. We demonstrated that CCR4-IL2 IT was significantly more effective in prolonging survival than brentuximab, and combination treatment of CCR4-IL2 IT and brentuximab was more effective than brentuximab or CCR4-IL2 IT alone in an immunodeficient NSG mouse CTCL model. Thus, CCR4-IL2 IT is a promising novel therapeutic drug candidate for CTCL treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jihong Ma
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rashmi Ramakrishna
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Danielle Mintzlaff
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - David W Mathes
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Pomfret
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - M Scott Lucia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dexiang Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Cancer Center Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Bradley M Haverkos
- University of Colorado Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Zhirui Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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8
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Gallagher DT, Oganesyan N, Lees A. Monomeric crystal structure of the vaccine carrier protein CRM 197 and implications for vaccine development. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2023; 79:82-86. [PMID: 36995122 PMCID: PMC10071833 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x23002364] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
CRM197 is a genetically detoxified mutant of diphtheria toxin (DT) that is widely used as a carrier protein in conjugate vaccines. Protective immune responses to several bacterial diseases are obtained by coupling CRM197 to glycans from these pathogens. Wild-type DT has been described in two oligomeric forms: a monomer and a domain-swapped dimer. Their proportions depend on the chemical conditions and especially the pH, with a large kinetic barrier to interconversion. A similar situation occurs in CRM197, where the monomer is preferred for vaccine synthesis. Despite 30 years of research and the increasing application of CRM197 in conjugate vaccines, until now all of its available crystal structures have been dimeric. Here, CRM197 was expressed as a soluble, intracellular protein in an Escherichia coli strain engineered to have an oxidative cytoplasm. The purified product, called EcoCRM, remained monomeric throughout crystallization. The structure of monomeric EcoCRM is reported at 2.0 Å resolution with the domain-swapping hinge loop (residues 379-387) in an extended, exposed conformation, similar to monomeric wild-type DT. The structure enables comparisons across expression systems and across oligomeric states, with implications for monomer-dimer interconversion and for the optimization of conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Travis Gallagher
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, 9600 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Natalia Oganesyan
- Fina Biosolutions LLC, 9430 Key West Avenue, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Andrew Lees
- Fina Biosolutions LLC, 9430 Key West Avenue, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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9
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Xing YL, Poh J, Chuang BH, Moradi K, Mitew S, Richardson WD, Kilpatrick TJ, Osanai Y, Merson TD. High-efficiency pharmacogenetic ablation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the adult mouse CNS. Cell Rep Methods 2023; 3:100414. [PMID: 36936074 PMCID: PMC10014347 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100414] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Approaches to investigate adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) by targeted cell ablation in the rodent CNS have limitations in the extent and duration of OPC depletion. We have developed a pharmacogenetic approach for conditional OPC ablation, eliminating >98% of OPCs throughout the brain. By combining recombinase-based transgenic and viral strategies for targeting OPCs and ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ)-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs), we found that new PDGFRA-expressing cells born in the V-SVZ repopulated the OPC-deficient brain starting 12 days after OPC ablation. Our data reveal that OPC depletion induces V-SVZ-derived NPCs to generate vast numbers of PDGFRA+NG2+ cells with the capacity to proliferate and migrate extensively throughout the dorsal anterior forebrain. Further application of this approach to ablate OPCs will advance knowledge of the function of both OPCs and oligodendrogenic NPCs in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lulu Xing
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jasmine Poh
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Bernard H.A. Chuang
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kaveh Moradi
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Stanislaw Mitew
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - William D. Richardson
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Trevor J. Kilpatrick
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Yasuyuki Osanai
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tobias D. Merson
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
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10
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Wołkowicz T, Zacharczuk K, Zasada AA. Genomic Analysis of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Strains Isolated in the Years 2007-2022 with a Report on the Identification of the First Non-Toxigenic tox Gene-Bearing Strain in Poland. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054612. [PMID: 36902043 PMCID: PMC10003741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054612] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae have been reported every year in Poland since 2004, with the ST8 biovar gravis strains being most commonly isolated. This study analyzed thirty strains isolated between 2017 and 2022 and six previously isolated strains. All the strains were characterized using classic methods in terms of species, biovar level, and diphtheria toxin production, as well as by means of whole genome sequencing. The phylogenetic relationship based on SNP analysis was determined. The number of C. diphtheriae infections has been rising in Poland every year with a maximum of 22 cases in the year 2019. Since 2022, only the non-toxigenic gravis ST8 (most common) and mitis ST439 (less common) strains have been isolated. An analysis of the genomes of the ST8 strains showed that they had many potential virulence factors, such as adhesins and iron-uptake systems. The situation rapidly changed in 2022 and strains from different STs were isolated (ST32, 40, and 819). The ST40 biovar mitis strain was found to be non-toxigenic tox gene-bearing (NTTB), with the tox gene inactivated due to a single nucleotide deletion. Such strains were previously isolated in Belarus. The sudden appearance of new C. diphtheriae strains with different STs and the isolation of the first NTTB strain in Poland indicate that C. diphtheriae should be classified as a pathogen of special public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Wołkowicz
- Department of Bacteriology and Biocontamination Control, National Institute of Public Health NIH—National Research Institute, 24 Chocimska Str., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Katarzyna Zacharczuk
- Department of Bacteriology and Biocontamination Control, National Institute of Public Health NIH—National Research Institute, 24 Chocimska Str., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Anna Zasada
- Department of Sera and Vaccines Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health NIH—National Research Institute, 24 Chocimska Str., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Reardon-Robinson ME, Nguyen MT, Sanchez BC, Osipiuk J, Rückert C, Chang C, Chen B, Nagvekar R, Joachimiak A, Tauch A, Das A, Ton-That H. A cryptic oxidoreductase safeguards oxidative protein folding in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2208675120. [PMID: 36787356 PMCID: PMC9974433 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208675120] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In many gram-positive Actinobacteria, including Actinomyces oris and Corynebacterium matruchotii, the conserved thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase MdbA that catalyzes oxidative folding of exported proteins is essential for bacterial viability by an unidentified mechanism. Intriguingly, in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the deletion of mdbA blocks cell growth only at 37 °C but not at 30 °C, suggesting the presence of alternative oxidoreductase enzyme(s). By isolating spontaneous thermotolerant revertants of the mdbA mutant at 37 °C, we obtained genetic suppressors, all mapped to a single T-to-G mutation within the promoter region of tsdA, causing its elevated expression. Strikingly, increased expression of tsdA-via suppressor mutations or a constitutive promoter-rescues the pilus assembly and toxin production defects of this mutant, hence compensating for the loss of mdbA. Structural, genetic, and biochemical analyses demonstrated TsdA is a membrane-tethered thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase with a conserved CxxC motif that can substitute for MdbA in mediating oxidative folding of pilin and toxin substrates. Together with our observation that tsdA expression is upregulated at nonpermissive temperature (40 °C) in wild-type cells, we posit that TsdA has evolved as a compensatory thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase that safeguards oxidative protein folding in C. diphtheriae against thermal stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E. Reardon-Robinson
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX77030
| | - Minh Tan Nguyen
- Division of Oral and Systemic Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Belkys C. Sanchez
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX77030
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX77030
| | - Jerzy Osipiuk
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
- Structural Biology Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Christian Rückert
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, D-33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Chungyu Chang
- Division of Oral and Systemic Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX77030
| | - Rahul Nagvekar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX77030
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Andrzej Joachimiak
- Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
- Structural Biology Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Andreas Tauch
- Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, D-33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Asis Das
- Department of Medicine, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT06030
| | - Hung Ton-That
- Division of Oral and Systemic Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
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12
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Chen S, Quan DH, Sam G, Ozberk V, Wang XT, Halfmann P, Pandey M, Good MF, Kawaoka Y, Britton WJ, Rehm BHA. Assembly of Immunogenic Protein Particles toward Advanced Synthetic Vaccines. Small 2023; 19:e2205819. [PMID: 36564365 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Immunogenic carrier proteins such as the non-toxic diphtheria toxin variant, cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197), are widely used in subunit vaccine formulations to boost immunogenicity of chemically conjugated antigens. Conjugate vaccines are inherently expensive due to laborious manufacturing steps. Here, this work develops a particulate vaccine platform based on using engineered Escherichia coli to assemble CRM197-antigen fusion proteins into discrete submicron-sized particles. This approach enables precise loading of diverse antigens and epitopes enhancing their immunogenicity. A cost-effective, high-yield, and scalable biomanufacturing process is developed. Purified particulate CRM197-antigen vaccines are ambient-temperature stable. CRM197 particles incorporating pathogen-specific antigens or epitopes from SARS-CoV-2, Streptococcus pyogenes (group A), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced cell-mediated and humoral immune responses mediating protective immunity in respective animal models of infection. The CRM197 particle vaccine platform is versatile, enabling co-delivery of selected antigens/epitopes together with immunogenic CRM197 as discrete stable particles avoiding laborious manufacture of soluble CRM197 and antigen followed by chemical conjugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxiong Chen
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Diana H Quan
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
| | - Gayathri Sam
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Victoria Ozberk
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4215, Australia
| | - Xiaonan T Wang
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
| | - Peter Halfmann
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Manisha Pandey
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4215, Australia
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4215, Australia
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Warwick J Britton
- Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2050, Australia
| | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, 4215, Australia
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13
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Al-Khayri JM, Dubey S, Thirumoorthy G, Nagella P, Rezk AA, Shehata WF. In Silico Identification of 1-DTP Inhibitors of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Using Phytochemicals from Andrographis paniculata. Molecules 2023; 28:909. [PMID: 36677967 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
A number of phytochemicals have been identified as promising drug molecules against a variety of diseases using an in-silico approach. The current research uses this approach to identify the phyto-derived drugs from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees (AP) for the treatment of diphtheria. In the present study, 18 bioactive molecules from Andrographis paniculata (obtained from the PubChem database) were docked against the diphtheria toxin using the AutoDock vina tool. Visualization of the top four molecules with the best dockscore, namely bisandrographolide (-10.4), andrographiside (-9.5), isoandrographolide (-9.4), and neoandrographolide (-9.1), helps gain a better understanding of the molecular interactions. Further screening using molecular dynamics simulation studies led to the identification of bisandrographolide and andrographiside as hit compounds. Investigation of pharmacokinetic properties, mainly ADMET, along with Lipinski's rule and binding affinity considerations, narrowed down the search for a potent drug to bisandrographolide, which was the only molecule to be negative for AMES toxicity. Thus, further modification of this compound followed by in vitro and in vivo studies can be used to examine itseffectiveness against diphtheria.
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14
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Griesser E, Gesell M, Veyel D, Lamla T, Geillinger-Kästle K, Rist W. Whole lung proteome of an acute epithelial injury mouse model in comparison to spatially resolved proteomes. Proteomics 2023; 23:e2100414. [PMID: 36641648 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100414] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial injury is one of the major drivers of acute pulmonary diseases. Recurring injury followed by aberrant repair is considered as the primary cause of chronic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Preclinical in vivo models allow studying early disease-driving mechanisms like the recently established adeno-associated virus-diphtheria toxin receptor (AAV-DTR) mouse model of acute epithelial lung injury, which utilises AAV mediated expression of the human DTR. We performed quantitative proteomics of homogenised lung samples from this model and compared the results to spatially resolved proteomics data of epithelial cell regions from the same animals. In whole lung tissue proteins involved in cGAS-STING and interferon pathways, proliferation, DNA replication and the composition of the provisional extracellular matrix were upregulated upon injury. Besides epithelial cell markers SP-A, SP-C and Scgb1a1, proteins involved in cilium assembly, lipid metabolism and redox pathways were among downregulated proteins. Comparison of the bulk to spatially resolved proteomics data revealed a large overlap of protein changes and striking differences. Together our study underpins the broad usability of bulk proteomics and pinpoints to the benefit of sophisticated proteomic analyses of specific tissue regions or single cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Griesser
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Martin Gesell
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Daniel Veyel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Kerstin Geillinger-Kästle
- Immunology & Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rist
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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15
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Qiu Y, Qi Z, Wang Z, Cao Y, Lu L, Zhang H, Mathes D, Pomfret EA, Lu SL, Wang Z. EGF‑IL2 bispecific and bivalent EGF fusion toxin efficacy against syngeneic head and neck cancer mouse models. Oncol Rep 2022; 49:37. [PMID: 36579667 PMCID: PMC9827275 DOI: 10.3892/or.2022.8474] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) remains one of the best molecules for developing targeted therapy for multiple human malignancies, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Small molecule inhibitors or antibodies targeting EGFR have been extensively developed in recent decades. Immunotoxin (IT)‑based therapy, which combines cell surface binding ligands or antibodies with a peptide toxin, represents another cancer treatment option. A total of 3 diphtheria toxin (DT)‑based fusion toxins that target human EGFR‑monovalent EGFR IT (mono‑EGF‑IT), bivalent EGFR IT (bi‑EGF‑IT), and a bispecific IT targeting both EGFR and interleukin‑2 receptor (bis‑EGF/IL2‑IT) were recently generated by the authors. Improved efficacy and reduced toxicity of bi‑EGF‑IT compared with mono‑EGF‑IT in immunocompromised HNSCC mouse models was reported. In the present study, bis‑EGF/IL2‑IT were generated using a unique DT‑resistant yeast expression system and evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and toxicity of the 3 EGF‑ITs in immunocompetent mice. The results demonstrated that while the three EGF‑ITs had different efficacies in vitro and in vivo against HNSCC, bi‑EGF‑IT and bis‑EGF/IL2‑IT had significantly improved in vivo efficacy and remarkably less off‑target toxicity compared with mono‑EGF‑IT. In addition, bis‑EGF/IL2‑IT was superior to bi‑EGF‑IT in reducing tumor size and prolonging survival in the metastatic model. These data suggested that targeting either the tumor immune microenvironment or enhancing the binding affinity could improve the efficacy of IT‑based therapy. Bi‑EGF‑IT and bis‑EGF/IL2‑IT represent improved candidates for IT‑based therapy for future clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, P.R. China
| | - Zeng Qi
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Ling Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - David Mathes
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Pomfret
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Shi-Long Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Dr Shi-Long Lu, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th Avenue Aurora, CO 80045, USA, E-mail:
| | - Zhirui Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA,Correspondence to: Dr Zhirui Wang, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA, E-mail:
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16
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Voltà-Durán E, Sánchez JM, Parladé E, Serna N, Vazquez E, Unzueta U, Villaverde A. The Diphtheria Toxin Translocation Domain Impairs Receptor Selectivity in Cancer Cell-Targeted Protein Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122644. [PMID: 36559138 PMCID: PMC9781143 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122644] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein-based materials intended as nanostructured drugs or drug carriers are progressively gaining interest in nanomedicine, since their structure, assembly and cellular interactivity can be tailored by recruiting functional domains. The main bottleneck in the development of deliverable protein materials is the lysosomal degradation that follows endosome maturation. This is especially disappointing in the case of receptor-targeted protein constructs, which, while being highly promising and in demand in precision medicines, enter cells via endosomal/lysosomal routes. In the search for suitable protein agents that might promote endosome escape, we have explored the translocation domain (TD) of the diphtheria toxin as a functional domain in CXCR4-targeted oligomeric nanoparticles designed for cancer therapies. The pharmacological interest of such protein materials could be largely enhanced by improving their proteolytic stability. The incorporation of TD into the building blocks enhances the amount of the material detected inside of exposed CXCR4+ cells up to around 25-fold, in absence of cytotoxicity. This rise cannot be accounted for by endosomal escape, since the lysosomal degradation of the new construct decreases only moderately. On the other hand, a significant loss in the specificity of the CXCR4-dependent cellular penetration indicates the unexpected role of the toxin segment as a cell-penetrating peptide in a dose-dependent and receptor-independent fashion. These data reveal that the diphtheria toxin TD displayed on receptor-targeted oligomeric nanoparticles partially abolishes the exquisite receptor specificity of the parental material and it induces nonspecific internalization in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Voltà-Durán
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julieta M. Sánchez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Velez Sarsfield 1611, Córdoba X5016GCA, Argentina
| | - Eloi Parladé
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Vazquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, 08025 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (U.U.); (A.V.)
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (U.U.); (A.V.)
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17
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Trieu T, Mach P, Bunn K, Huang V, Huang J, Chow C, Nakano H, Fajardo VM, Touma M, Ren S, Wang Y, Nakano A. A novel murine model of atrial fibrillation by diphtheria toxin-induced injury. Front Physiol 2022; 13:977735. [PMID: 36388109 PMCID: PMC9659601 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.977735] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) continues to be a significant clinical challenge. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are beginning to identify AF susceptibility genes (Gudbjartsson et al., Nature, 2007, 448, 353-357; Choi et al., Circ. Res., 2020, 126, 200-209; van Ouwerkerk et al., Circ. Res., 2022, 127, 229-243), non-genetic risk factors including physical, chemical, and biological environments remain the major contributors to the development of AF. However, little is known regarding how non-genetic risk factors promote the pathogenesis of AF (Weiss et al., Heart Rhythm, 2016, 13, 1868-1877; Chakraborty et al., Heart Rhythm, 2020, 17, 1,398-1,404; Nattel et al., Circ. Res., 2020, 127, 51-72). This is, in part, due to the lack of a robust and reliable animal model induced by non-genetic factors. The currently available models using rapid pacing protocols fail to generate a stable AF phenotype in rodent models, often requiring additional genetic modifications that introduce potential sources of bias (Schüttler et al., Circ. Res., 2020, 127, 91-110). Here, we report a novel murine model of AF using an inducible and tissue-specific activation of diphtheria toxin (DT)-mediated cellular injury system. By the tissue-specific and inducible expression of human HB-EGF in atrial myocytes, we developed a reliable, robust and scalable murine model of AF that is triggered by a non-genetic inducer without the need for AF susceptibility gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Trieu
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Philbert Mach
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Bunn
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Vincent Huang
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jamie Huang
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christine Chow
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Haruko Nakano
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Viviana M. Fajardo
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marlin Touma
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Shuxun Ren
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yibin Wang
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Atsushi Nakano
- Department of Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Cell Physiology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Prygiel M, Polak M, Mosiej E, Wdowiak K, Formińska K, Zasada AA. New Corynebacterium Species with the Potential to Produce Diphtheria Toxin. Pathogens 2022; 11:1264. [PMID: 36365015 PMCID: PMC9693595 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Only three Corynebacterium species are known to produce a lethal exotoxin called diphtheria toxin. These are C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis. The diphtheria toxin gene (tox) is carried in a family of closely related corynebacteriophages and therefore the toxin can be produced only through lysogenisation, in which the corynephage encoding tox is stably inserted into the chromosome. However, 'nontoxigenic tox gene-bearing' (NTTB) strains, which are genotypically tox-positive but do not express the protein, have been described. The emergence of NTTB strains was first observed during the 1990s diphtheria epidemic in Eastern Europe and nowadays such isolates have been detected in many countries in the world. Recently, novel species of Corynebacterium genus have been described which might have the potential of producing the diphtheria toxin due to the possession of the diphtheria toxin gene but it has not produced toxin in laboratory tests. The circulation of NTTB strains could be related to the increased risk for diphtheria disease arising from the risk of re-emerging toxin expression. The article presents the mechanism of diphtheria toxin expression and action, recently described novel species of NTTB corynebacteria as well as the taxonomic changes within the C. diphtheriae group.
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Mielecki M, Ziemniak M, Ozga M, Borowski R, Antosik J, Kaczyńska A, Pająk B. Structure-Activity Relationship of the Dimeric and Oligomeric Forms of a Cytotoxic Biotherapeutic Based on Diphtheria Toxin. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081111. [PMID: 36009005 PMCID: PMC9406121 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081111] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a well-recognized problem in industrial preparation, including biotherapeutics. These low-energy states constantly compete with a native-like conformation, which is more pronounced in the case of macromolecules of low stability in the solution. A better understanding of the structure and function of such aggregates is generally required for the more rational development of therapeutic proteins, including single-chain fusion cytotoxins to target specific receptors on cancer cells. Here, we identified and purified such particles as side products of the renaturation process of the single-chain fusion cytotoxin, composed of two diphtheria toxin (DT) domains and interleukin 13 (IL-13), and applied various experimental techniques to comprehensively understand their molecular architecture and function. Importantly, we distinguished soluble purified dimeric and fractionated oligomeric particles from aggregates. The oligomers are polydisperse and multimodal, with a distribution favoring lower and even stoichiometries, suggesting they are composed of dimeric building units. Importantly, all these oligomeric particles and the monomer are cystine-dependent as their innate disulfide bonds have structural and functional roles. Their reduction triggers aggregation. Presumably the dimer and lower oligomers represent the metastable state, retaining the native disulfide bond. Although significantly reduced in contrast to the monomer, they preserve some fraction of bioactivity, manifested by their IL-13RA2 receptor affinity and selective cytotoxic potency towards the U-251 glioblastoma cell line. These molecular assemblies probably preserve structural integrity and native-like fold, at least to some extent. As our study demonstrated, the dimeric and oligomeric cytotoxin may be an exciting model protein, introducing a new understanding of its monomeric counterpart’s molecular characteristics.
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20
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Yu C, Zhong H, Yang X, Li G, Wu Z, Yang H. Establishment of a pig CRISPR/Cas9 knockout library for functional gene screening in pig cells. Biotechnol J 2022; 17:e2100408. [PMID: 34705337 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an important farm animal, pig functional genomic study can help understand the molecular mechanism related to the key economic traits of pig, such as growth, reproduction, or disease. The genome-scale library based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 (Cas9) system facilitates discovery of key genes involved in a specific function or phenotype, allowing for an effective "phenotype-to-genotype" strategy for functional genomic study. METHODS AND RESULTS We designed and constructed a pig genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 knockout library targeting 16,888 genes with 970,001 unique sgRNAs. The library is a single-vector system including both Cas9 and sgRNA, and packaged into lentivirus for an easy cell delivery for screening. To establish a screening method in pig cells, we used diphtheria toxin (DT)-induced cell death as a model to screen the host genes critical for DT toxicity in pig PK-15 cells. After lentiviral transduction and two sequential screening with DT treatment, the highest-ranking candidates we identified were previously validated genes, HBEGF, DPH1, DPH2, DPH3, DPH5, DNAJC24, and ZBTB17, which are DT receptor and the key factors involved in biosynthesis of diphthamide, the target of DT action. The function and gene essentiality of candidates were further confirmed by gene knockout and DT toxicity assay in PK-15 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our CRISPR knockout library targeting pig whole genome establishes a promising platform for pig functional genomic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanzhao Yu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiwen Zhong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoling Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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21
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Griesser E, Schönberger T, Stierstorfer B, Wyatt H, Rist W, Lamla T, Thomas MJ, Lamb D, Geillinger-Kästle KE. Characterization of a flexible AAV-DTR/DT mouse model of acute epithelial lung injury. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 323:L206-L218. [PMID: 35762632 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00364.2021] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models are important to mimic certain pathways or biological aspects of human pathologies including acute and chronic pulmonary diseases. We developed a novel and flexible mouse model of acute epithelial lung injury based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) variant 6.2 mediated expression of the human diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR). Following intratracheal administration of diphtheria toxin (DT), a cell-specific death of bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells can be observed. In contrast to other lung injury models, the here described mouse model provides the possibility of targeted injury using specific tropisms of AAV vectors or cell type specific promotors to drive the human DTR expression. Also, generation of cell specific mouse lines is not required. Detailed characterization of the AAV-DTR/DT mouse model including titration of viral genome (vg) load and administered DT amount revealed increasing cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; macrophages, neutrophils, and unspecified cells) and elevation of degenerated cells and infiltrated leukocytes in lung tissue, dependent of vg load and DT dose. Cytokine levels in BAL fluid showed different patterns with higher vg load, e.g. IFNγ, TNFα, and IP10 increasing and IL-5 and IL-6 decreasing, while lung function was not affected. Additionally, laser-capture microdissection (LCM)-based proteomics of bronchial epithelium and alveolar tissue revealed upregulated immune and inflammatory response in all regions and extracellular matrix deposition in infiltrated alveoli. Overall, our novel AAV-DTR/DT model allows investigation of repair mechanisms following epithelial injury and resembles specific mechanistic aspects of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Griesser
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Tanja Schönberger
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Birgit Stierstorfer
- Non-clinical Drug Safety, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Hannah Wyatt
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rist
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Thorsten Lamla
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany, Germany
| | - Matthew James Thomas
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.,University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - David Lamb
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Kerstin E Geillinger-Kästle
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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22
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Asrorov AM, Muhitdinov B, Tu B, Mirzaakhmedov S, Wang H, Huang Y. Advances on Delivery of Cytotoxic Enzymes as Anticancer Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:3836. [PMID: 35744957 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths worldwide annually, and, therefore, it is one of the most investigated research disciplines. Developing efficient anticancer tools includes studying the effects of different natural enzymes of plant and microbial origin on tumor cells. The development of various smart delivery systems based on enzyme drugs has been conducted for more than two decades. Some of these delivery systems have been developed to the point that they have reached clinical stages, and a few have even found application in selected cancer treatments. Various biological, chemical, and physical approaches have been utilized to enhance their efficiencies by improving their delivery and targeting. In this paper, we review advanced delivery systems for enzyme drugs for use in cancer therapy. Their structure-based functions, mechanisms of action, fused forms with other peptides in terms of targeting and penetration, and other main results from in vivo and clinical studies of these advanced delivery systems are highlighted.
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23
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Rioja-Blanco E, Gallardo A, Arroyo-Solera I, Álamo P, Casanova I, Unzueta U, Serna N, Sánchez-García L, Quer M, Villaverde A, Vázquez E, León X, Alba-Castellón L, Mangues R. A Novel CXCR4-Targeted Diphtheria Toxin Nanoparticle Inhibits Invasion and Metastatic Dissemination in a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:887. [PMID: 35456719 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Loco-regional recurrences and metastasis represent the leading causes of death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, highlighting the need for novel therapies. Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been related to loco-regional and distant recurrence and worse patient prognosis. In this regard, we developed a novel protein nanoparticle, T22-DITOX-H6, aiming to selectively deliver the diphtheria toxin cytotoxic domain to CXCR4+ HNSCC cells. The antimetastatic effect of T22-DITOX-H6 was evaluated in vivo in an orthotopic mouse model. IVIS imaging system was utilized to assess the metastatic dissemination in the mouse model. Immunohistochemistry and histopathological analyses were used to study the CXCR4 expression in the cancer cells, to evaluate the effect of the nanotoxin treatment, and its potential off-target toxicity. In this study, we report that CXCR4+ cancer cells were present in the invasive tumor front in an orthotopic mouse model. Upon repeated T22-DITOX-H6 administration, the number of CXCR4+ cancer cells was significantly reduced. Similarly, nanotoxin treatment effectively blocked regional and distant metastatic dissemination in the absence of systemic toxicity in the metastatic HNSCC mouse model. The repeated administration of T22-DITOX-H6 clearly abrogates tumor invasiveness and metastatic dissemination without inducing any off-target toxicity. Thus, T22-DITOX-H6 holds great promise for the treatment of CXCR4+ HNSCC patients presenting worse prognosis.
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24
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Ott L, Möller J, Burkovski A. Interactions between the Re-Emerging Pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Host Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063298. [PMID: 35328715 PMCID: PMC8952647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the etiological agent of diphtheria, is a re-emerging pathogen, responsible for several thousand deaths per year. In addition to diphtheria, systemic infections, often by non-toxigenic strains, are increasingly observed. This indicates that besides the well-studied and highly potent diphtheria toxin, various other virulence factors may influence the progression of the infection. This review focuses on the known components of C. diphtheriae responsible for adhesion, invasion, inflammation, and cell death, as well as on the cellular signaling pathways activated upon infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ott
- Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Jens Möller
- Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Microbiology Division, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-852-8086
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25
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Tian S, Liu Y, Appleton E, Wang H, Church GM, Dong M. Targeted intracellular delivery of Cas13 and Cas9 nucleases using bacterial toxin-based platforms. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110476. [PMID: 35263584 PMCID: PMC8958846 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted delivery of therapeutic proteins toward specific cells and across cell membranes remains major challenges. Here, we develop protein-based delivery systems utilizing detoxified single-chain bacterial toxins such as diphtheria toxin (DT) and botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT)-like toxin, BoNT/X, as carriers. The system can deliver large protein cargoes including Cas13a, CasRx, Cas9, and Cre recombinase into cells in a receptor-dependent manner, although delivery of ribonucleoproteins containing guide RNAs is not successful. Delivery of Cas13a and CasRx, together with guide RNA expression, reduces mRNAs encoding GFP, SARS-CoV-2 fragments, and endogenous proteins PPIB, KRAS, and CXCR4 in multiple cell lines. Delivery of Cre recombinase modifies the reporter loci in cells. Delivery of Cas9, together with guide RNA expression, generates mutations at the targeted genomic sites in cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human neurons. These findings establish modular delivery systems based on single-chain bacterial toxins for delivery of membrane-impermeable therapeutics into targeted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songhai Tian
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Evan Appleton
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Microbiology and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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26
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Batista Araújo MR, Bernardes Sousa MÂ, Seabra LF, Caldeira LA, Faria CD, Bokermann S, Sant'Anna LO, Dos Santos LS, Mattos-Guaraldi AL. Cutaneous infection by non-diphtheria-toxin producing and penicillin-resistant Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain in a patient with diabetes mellitus. Access Microbiol 2022; 3:000284. [PMID: 35018328 PMCID: PMC8742586 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000284] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection, mostly caused by diphtheria toxin (DT)-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains. During the last decades, the isolation of DT-producing C. diphtheriae strains has been decreasing worldwide. However, non-DT-producing C. diphtheriae strains emerged as causative agents of cutaneous and invasive infections. Although endemic in countries with warm climates, cutaneous diphtheria is rarely reported in Brazil. Presently, an unusual case of skin lesion in a Brazilian elderly diabetic patient infected by a penicillin-resistant non-DT-producing C. diphtheriae strain was reported. Laboratory diagnosis included mass spectrometry and multiplex PCR analyses. Since cutaneous diphtheria lesions are possible sources of secondary diphtheria cases and systemic diseases and considering that penicillin is the first line of antimicrobial agent for the treatment of these infections, the detection of penicillin-resistant strains of diphtheria bacilli should be a matter of concern. Thus, cases similar to the presently reported should be appropriately investigated and treated, particularly in patients with risk factor (s) for the development of C. diphtheriae invasive infections, such as diabetes. Moreover, health professionals must be aware of the presence of C. diphtheriae in cutaneous lesions of lower limbs, a common type of morbidity in diabetic patients, especially in tropical and subtropical countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Roberto Batista Araújo
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mireille Ângela Bernardes Sousa
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luisa Ferreira Seabra
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Letícia Aparecida Caldeira
- Operational Technical Nucleus, Microbiology, Hermes Pardini Institute. Av. das Nações, 3801 - Parque Jardim Itaú, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carmem Dolores Faria
- Bacterial and Fungal Diseases Service, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Bokermann
- Center of Bacteriology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Secretary of Health of the State of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lincoln Oliveira Sant'Anna
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, The Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Diphtheria, National Health Foundation, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Louisy Sanches Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, The Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Diphtheria, National Health Foundation, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Laboratory of Diphtheria and Corynebacteria of Clinical Relevance, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, The Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Diphtheria, National Health Foundation, Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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27
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Liguori BL, Ossiboff RJ, Stacy NI, Graham EA, Oliveira LJ, Childress AL, Giglio RF, Hamel PS, Turner RC, Alexander AB, Christman JE, Heard DJ, Wellehan JFX. AUSTWICKIA CHELONAE IN A WILD GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS) AND EVIDENCE OF POSITIVE SELECTION ON THE DIPHTHERIA-LIKE TOXIN GENE. J Wildl Dis 2022; 58:1-7. [PMID: 34780647 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00223] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Austwickia (Dermatophilus) chelonae is a filamentous, Gram-positive Actinobacteria in the Dermatophilaceae family. It has caused fatal granulomatous disease in diverse captive reptile species on three continents, but its presence in wild or free-ranging populations was unknown. An adult female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) was presented euhydrated, but cachectic and infested with ticks, with two firm, encapsulated masses over the cranioventral neck and right stifle. The tortoise had moderate nonregenerative anemia and evidence of inflammation; plasma biochemistry data was within normal limits. Fine needle aspirate of the neck lesion revealed abundant necrosis and aggregates of cocci. Computed tomography delineated the masses and revealed an additional mass adjacent to the left zygomatic bone. After surgical excision, histology identified chronic granulomas with intralesional filamentous bacteria. Pan-bacterial 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing of the masses identified A. chelonae. Despite treatment with oxytetracycline and ceftazidime, the tortoise deteriorated and was euthanatized. An esophageal lesion consistent with A. chelonae was seen on postmortem examination, although it was determined that the tortoise ultimately succumbed to fungal pneumonia caused by Metarhizium robertsii, an entomopathogenic biotoxin sprayed as insect control. This case reveals A. chelonae is present in free-ranging chelonians in North America. This organism produces a toxin gene similar to diphtheria toxin, one of the most potent known biotoxins, which has not been previously identified outside the genus Corynebacterium. Novel PCR primers were designed for the toxin and rpoB genes, which were amplified and sequenced from two cases and compared with two available genomes. Selection analysis revealed that the toxin gene is under positive selection, which implies it interacts significantly with the immune system, making it a good candidate for immunodiagnostic test development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L Liguori
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Robert J Ossiboff
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Nicole I Stacy
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Erin A Graham
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Lilian J Oliveira
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - April L Childress
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Robson F Giglio
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Philip S Hamel
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Rachel C Turner
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Amy B Alexander
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Jane E Christman
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - Darryl J Heard
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
| | - James F X Wellehan
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA
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28
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Watanabe J, Takayanagi Y, Yoshida M, Hattori T, Saito M, Kohno K, Kobayashi E, Onaka T. Conditional ablation of vasopressin-synthesizing neurons in transgenic rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13057. [PMID: 34748241 PMCID: PMC9285515 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Vasopressin-synthesizing neurons are located in several brain regions, including the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), supraoptic nucleus (SON) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Vasopressin has been shown to have various functions in the brain, including social recognition memory, stress responses, emotional behaviors and circadian rhythms. The precise physiological functions of vasopressin-synthesizing neurons in specific brain regions remain to be clarified. Conditional ablation of local vasopressin-synthesizing neurons may be a useful tool for investigation of the functions of vasopressin neurons in the regions. In the present study, we characterized a transgenic rat line that expresses a mutated human diphtheria toxin receptor under control of the vasopressin gene promoter. Under a condition of salt loading, which activates the vasopressin gene in the hypothalamic PVN and SON, transgenic rats were i.c.v. injected with diphtheria toxin. Intracerebroventricular administration of diphtheria toxin after salt loading depleted vasopressin-immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamic PVN and SON, but not in the SCN. The number of oxytocin-immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamus was not significantly changed. The rats that received i.c.v. diphtheria toxin after salt loading showed polydipsia and polyuria, which were rescued by peripheral administration of 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin via an osmotic mini-pump. Intrahypothalamic administration of diphtheria toxin in transgenic rats under a normal hydration condition reduced the number of vasopressin-immunoreactive neurons, but not the number of oxytocin-immunoreactive neurons. The transgenic rat model can be used for selective ablation of vasopressin-synthesizing neurons and may be useful for clarifying roles of vasopressin neurons at least in the hypothalamic PVN and SON in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Watanabe
- Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yuki Takayanagi
- Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masahide Yoshida
- Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hattori
- Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Michiko Saito
- Institute for Research Initiatives, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Kenji Kohno
- Institute for Research Initiatives, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Eiji Kobayashi
- Department of Organ Fabrication, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Onaka
- Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
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Cai S, Kumar R, Singh BR. Clostridial Neurotoxins: Structure, Function and Implications to Other Bacterial Toxins. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2206. [PMID: 34835332 PMCID: PMC8618262 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-positive bacteria are ancient organisms. Many bacteria, including Gram-positive bacteria, produce toxins to manipulate the host, leading to various diseases. While the targets of Gram-positive bacterial toxins are diverse, many of those toxins use a similar mechanism to invade host cells and exert their functions. Clostridial neurotoxins produced by Clostridial tetani and Clostridial botulinum provide a classical example to illustrate the structure-function relationship of bacterial toxins. Here, we critically review the recent progress of the structure-function relationship of clostridial neurotoxins, including the diversity of the clostridial neurotoxins, the mode of actions, and the flexible structures required for the activation of toxins. The mechanism clostridial neurotoxins use for triggering their activity is shared with many other Gram-positive bacterial toxins, especially molten globule-type structures. This review also summarizes the implications of the molten globule-type flexible structures to other Gram-positive bacterial toxins. Understanding these highly dynamic flexible structures in solution and their role in the function of bacterial toxins not only fills in the missing link of the high-resolution structures from X-ray crystallography but also provides vital information for better designing antidotes against those toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuowei Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA
| | - Raj Kumar
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA; (R.K.); (B.R.S.)
| | - Bal Ram Singh
- Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA; (R.K.); (B.R.S.)
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Hashemi Yeganeh H, Heiat M, Kieliszek M, Alavian SM, Rezaie E. DT389-YP7, a Recombinant Immunotoxin against Glypican-3 That Inhibits Hepatocellular Cancer Cells: An In Vitro Study. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:749. [PMID: 34822533 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the high-metastatic types of cancer, and metastasis occurs in one-third of patients with HCC. To maintain the effectiveness of drug compounds on cancer cells and minimize their side effects on normal cells, it is important to use new approaches for overcoming malignancies. Immunotoxins (ITs), an example of such a new approach, are protein-structured compounds consisting of toxic and binding moieties which can specifically bind to cancer cells and efficiently induce cell death. Here, we design and scrutinize a novel immunotoxin against an oncofetal marker on HCC cells. We applied a truncated diphtheria toxin (DT389) without binding domain as a toxin moiety to be fused with a humanized YP7 scFv against a high-expressed Glypican-3 (GPC3) antigen on the surface of HCC cells. Cytotoxic effects of this IT were investigated on HepG2 (GPC3+) and SkBr3 (GPC3−) cell lines as positive- and negative-expressed GPC3 antigens. The dissociation constant (Kd) was calculated 11.39 nM and 18.02 nM for IT and YP7 scfv, respectively, whereas only IT showed toxic effects on the HepG2 cell line, and decreased cell viability (IC50 = 848.2 ng/mL). Changing morphology (up to 85%), cell cycle arrest at G2 phase (up to 13%), increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROSs) (up to 50%), inducing apoptosis (up to 38% for apoptosis and 23% for necrosis), and an almost complete inhibition of cell movement were other effects of immunotoxin treatment on HepG2 cells, not on SkBr3 cell line. These promising results reveal that this new recombinant immunotoxin can be considered as an option as an HCC inhibitor. However, more extensive studies are needed to accomplish this concept.
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Abstract
Immunotoxins (ITs) are protein-based drugs that compose of targeting and cytotoxic moieties. After binding the IT to the specific cell-surface antigen, the IT internalises into the target cell and kills it. Targeting and cytotoxic moieties usually include monoclonal antibodies and protein toxins with bacterial or plant origin, respectively. ITs have been successful in haematologic malignancies treatment. However, ITs penetrate poorly into solid tumours because of their large size. Use of camelid antibody fragments known as nanobodies (Nbs) as a targeting moiety may overcome this problem. Nbs are the smallest fragment of antibodies with excellent tumour tissue penetration. The ability to recognise cryptic (immuno-evasive) target antigens, low immunogenicity, and high-affinity are other fundamental characteristics of Nbs that make them suitable candidates in targeted therapy. Here, we reviewed and discussed the structure and function of ITs, Nbs, and nanobody-based ITs. To gain sound insight into the issue at hand, we focussed on nanobody-based ITs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Khirehgesh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Jafar Sharifi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Safari
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahman Akbari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Valek L, Tegeder I. Failure of Diphtheria Toxin Model to Induce Parkinson-Like Behavior in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179496. [PMID: 34502404 PMCID: PMC8430633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent models of Parkinson’s disease are based on transgenic expression of mutant synuclein, deletion of PD genes, injections of MPTP or rotenone, or seeding of synuclein fibrils. The models show histopathologic features of PD such as Lewi bodies but mostly only subtle in vivo manifestations or systemic toxicity. The models only partly mimic a predominant loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. We therefore generated mice that express the transgenic diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) specifically in DA neurons by crossing DAT-Cre mice with Rosa26 loxP-STOP-loxP DTR mice. After defining a well-tolerated DTx dose, DAT-DTR and DTR-flfl controls were subjected to non-toxic DTx treatment (5 × 100 pg/g) and subsequent histology and behavioral tests. DAT protein levels were reduced in the midbrain, and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons were reduced in the substantia nigra, whereas the pan-neuronal marker NeuN was not affected. Despite the promising histologic results, there was no difference in motor function tests or open field behavior. These are tests in which double mutant Pink1−/−SNCAA53T Parkinson mice show behavioral abnormalities. Higher doses of DTx were toxic in both groups. The data suggest that DTx treatment in mice with Cre/loxP-driven DAT-DTR expression leads to partial ablation of DA-neurons but without PD-reminiscent behavioral correlates.
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Jimenez E, Slevin CC, Colón-Cruz L, Burgess SM. Vestibular and Auditory Hair Cell Regeneration Following Targeted Ablation of Hair Cells With Diphtheria Toxin in Zebrafish. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:721950. [PMID: 34489643 PMCID: PMC8416761 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.721950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Millions of Americans experience hearing or balance disorders due to loss of hair cells in the inner ear. The hair cells are mechanosensory receptors used in the auditory and vestibular organs of all vertebrates as well as the lateral line systems of aquatic vertebrates. In zebrafish and other non-mammalian vertebrates, hair cells turnover during homeostasis and regenerate completely after being destroyed or damaged by acoustic or chemical exposure. However, in mammals, destroying or damaging hair cells results in permanent impairments to hearing or balance. We sought an improved method for studying hair cell damage and regeneration in adult aquatic vertebrates by generating a transgenic zebrafish with the capacity for targeted and inducible hair cell ablation in vivo. This model expresses the human diphtheria toxin receptor (hDTR) gene under the control of the myo6b promoter, resulting in hDTR expressed only in hair cells. Cell ablation is achieved by an intraperitoneal injection of diphtheria toxin (DT) in adult zebrafish or DT dissolved in the water for larvae. In the lateral line of 5 days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish, ablation of hair cells by DT treatment occurred within 2 days in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, in adult utricles and saccules, a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.05 ng DT caused complete loss of hair cells in the utricle and saccule by 5 days post-injection. Full hair cell regeneration was observed for the lateral line and the inner ear tissues. This study introduces a new method for efficient conditional hair cell ablation in adult zebrafish inner ear sensory epithelia (utricles and saccules) and demonstrates that zebrafish hair cells will regenerate in vivo after this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shawn M. Burgess
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Khrustalev VV. The PentaFOLD 3.0 Algorithm for the Selection of Stable Elements of Secondary Structure to be Included in Vaccine Peptides. Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:573-588. [PMID: 33172366 DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666201110123851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to create a new version of the PentaFOLD algorithm and to test its performance experimentally in several proteins and peptides. BACKGROUND Synthetic vaccines can cause production of neutralizing antibodies only in case if short peptides form the same secondary structure as fragments of full-length proteins. The Penta- FOLD 3.0 algorithm was designed to check stability of alpha helices, beta strands, and random coils using several propensity scales obtained during analysis of 1730 3D structures of proteins. OBJECTIVE The algorithm has been tested in the three peptides known to keep the secondary structure of the corresponding fragments of full-length proteins: the NY25 peptide from the Influenza H1N1 hemagglutinin, the SF23 peptide from the diphtheria toxin, the NQ21 peptide from the HIV1 gp120; as well as in the CC36 peptide from the human major prion protein. METHODS Affine chromatography for antibodies against peptides accompanied by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to check the predictions of the algorithm. RESULTS Immunological experiments showed that all abovementioned peptides are more or less immunogenic in rabbits. The fact that antibodies against the NY25, the SF23, and the NQ21 form stable complexes with corresponding full-length proteins has been confirmed by affine chromatography. The surface of SARS CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain interacting with hACE2 has been shown to be unstable according to the results of the PentaFOLD 3.0. CONCLUSION The PentaFOLD 3.0 algorithm (http://chemres.bsmu.by/PentaFOLD30.htm) can be used with the aim to design vaccine peptides with stable secondary structure elements.
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Mousavi A, Sabouri A, Hassanzadeh Eskafi A, Alirahimi E, Kazemi-Lomedasht F, Ghaderi H, Behdani M. In Vivo Tumor Therapy with Novel Immunotoxin Containing Programmed Cell Death Protein-1 and Diphtheria Toxin. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2021; 40:113-117. [PMID: 34076502 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2020.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotoxins, as a class of antitumor agents, consist of tumor-selective ligands linked to highly toxic protein molecules. This type of modified antibody has been designed for the therapy of cancers and a few viral infections. In this study, we designed immunotoxin consisting of mouse programmed cell death protein-1 (PD1), which genetically fused to diphtheria toxin (DT) subunit A (DT386). DNA construct was cloned, expressed in a bacterial system, purified, and confirmed by western blotting. The immunotoxin potency in the treatment of tumorous C57BL/6 mice was evaluated. Immunotoxin was injected intratumoral to mice, and through eight injections, 67% of the tumor volume of the test group started shrinking dramatically. On the contrary, the tumor size of the control group, treated with phosphate-buffered saline, continued its growth. The successful targeting of solid tumor cells by PD1-DT immunotoxin demonstrates the potential therapeutic utility of these conjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Mousavi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Alireza Sabouri
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Ayda Hassanzadeh Eskafi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Ehsan Alirahimi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Hajarsadat Ghaderi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Chang XX, Fan K, Meng W, Guo J, Zhao D, Yin W, Li H, Wang Z. Truncated Diphtheria Toxin DT390 Enhances the Humoral Immunogenicity of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Capsid Antigen in Mice. Viral Immunol 2021; 34:448-456. [PMID: 33902339 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2020.0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of PCV-associated disease, which harms the swine industry worldwide. Open reading frame 2 of PCV2 encodes the principal immunogenic capsid (Cap) protein, which induces neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity. Cap has been developed as a subunit vaccine against PCV2 infection, although its use is hindered by low immunogenicity. Here, we hypothesized that the truncated diphtheria toxin DT390 might enhance the immunogenicity of Cap. To verify this hypothesis, we fused Cap with DT390, which was expressed using the unique diphtheria toxin-resistant Pichia pastoris expression system. We assessed the immunogenicity of DT390-Cap using BALB/c mice. DT390-Cap induced significantly higher Cap-specific and neutralizing antibodies than Cap alone with or without the ISA201 adjuvant. DT390-Cap with ISA201 adjuvant induced production of more Cap-specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies than Ingelvac CircoFLEX (positive control). DT390-Cap induced slightly higher Th2-associated interleukin-4 production than Cap alone but did not affect Th1-associated interferon-γ production. The protection study demonstrated that DT390-Cap induced more effective protective immunity than Cap alone, when challenged with PCV2. The viral loads in the lungs, liver, and thymus in mice immunized using DT390-Cap were significantly lower than in those immunized with the corresponding Cap with or without the ISA201 adjuvant. Taken together, the engineered DT390 effectively enhanced the immunogenicity and protective immunity of Cap in mice. Thus, DT390-Cap is a promising novel vaccine candidate against PCV2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Xiong Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Kuohai Fan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Weijin Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China.,Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Dahai Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Wei Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Hongquan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Zhirui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Möller J, Busch A, Berens C, Hotzel H, Burkovski A. Newly Isolated Animal Pathogen Corynebacterium silvaticum Is Cytotoxic to Human Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073549. [PMID: 33805570 PMCID: PMC8037504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium silvaticum is a newly identified animal pathogen of forest animals such as roe deer and wild boars. The species is closely related to the emerging human pathogen Corynebacterium ulcerans and the widely distributed animal pathogen Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. In this study, Corynebacterium silvaticum strain W25 was characterized with respect to its interaction with human cell lines. Microscopy, measurement of transepithelial electric resistance and cytotoxicity assays revealed detrimental effects of C. silvaticum to different human epithelial cell lines and to an invertebrate animal model, Galleria mellonella larvae, comparable to diphtheria toxin-secreting C. ulcerans. Furthermore, the results obtained may indicate a considerable zoonotic potential of this newly identified species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Möller
- Microbiology Division, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Anne Busch
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.B.); (H.H.)
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Berens
- Institute of Molecular Pathogenesis, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 007743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Helmut Hotzel
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.B.); (H.H.)
| | - Andreas Burkovski
- Microbiology Division, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-852-8086
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De-Simone SG, Gomes LR, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Lechuga GC, de Pina JS, da Silva FR. Epitope Mapping of the Diphtheria Toxin and Development of an ELISA-Specific Diagnostic Assay. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:313. [PMID: 33810325 PMCID: PMC8066203 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The diphtheria toxoid antigen is a major component in pediatric and booster combination vaccines and is known to raise a protective humoral immune response upon vaccination. Although antibodies are considered critical for diphtheria protection, little is known about the antigenic determinants that maintain humoral immunity. Methods: One-hundred and twelve 15 mer peptides covering the entire sequence of diphtheria toxin (DTx) protein were prepared by SPOT synthesis. The immunoreactivity of membrane-bound peptides with sera from mice immunized with a triple DTP vaccine allowed mapping of continuous B-cell epitopes, topological studies, multiantigen peptide (MAP) synthesis, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) development. Results: Twenty epitopes were identified, with two being in the signal peptide, five in the catalytic domain (CD), seven in the HBFT domain, and five in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). Two 17 mer (CB/Tx-2/12 and CB/DTx-4-13) derived biepitope peptides linked by a Gly-Gly spacer were chemically synthesized. The peptides were used as antigens to coat ELISA plates and assayed with human (huVS) and mice vaccinated sera (miVS) for in vitro diagnosis of diphtheria. The assay proved to be highly sensitive (99.96%) and specific (100%) for huVS and miVS and, when compared with a commercial ELISA test, demonstrated a high performance. Conclusions: Our work displayed the complete picture of the linear B cell IgG response epitope of the DTx responsible for the protective effect and demonstrated sufficient specificity and eligibility for phase IIB studies of some epitopes to develop new and fast diagnostic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Jorge Soares de Pina
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Flavio Rocha da Silva
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
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Naderi S, Roshan R, Behdani M, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. Inhibition of neovascularisation in human endothelial cells using anti NRP-1 nanobody fused to truncated form of diphtheria toxin as a novel immunotoxin. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2021; 43:230-238. [PMID: 33657977 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2021.1888114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) regulates a range of physiological and pathological processes, including angiogenesis. Targeting of NRP1 is considered a significant approach in cancer therapy. In the present study, a novel antiNRP1 immunotoxin (αNRP1 IT) was developed by genetic fusion of a single domain (VHH) anti-NRP-1 antibody fragment to a truncated diphtheria toxin. The αNRP1 IT was expressed into bacterial cells as an inclusion body (IB). Expression of αNRP1 IT was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Recombinant αNRP1 IT was purified using nickel affinity chromatography. Toxicity and antiangiogenesis effect of αNRP1 IT was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that αNRP1 IT significantly reduced the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC) (p < .05). The αNRP1 IT significantly inhibited tube formation of HUVEC cells (p < .001). Furthermore, αNRP1 IT inhibited angiogenesis in Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Assay. These data suggest the potential of αNRP1 IT as a novel therapeutic in targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamsi Naderi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Roshan
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Qi Z, Qiu Y, Wang Z, Zhang H, Lu L, Liu Y, Mathes D, Pomfret EA, Gao D, Lu SL, Wang Z. A novel diphtheria toxin-based bivalent human EGF fusion toxin for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1054-1068. [PMID: 33540470 PMCID: PMC8024719 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and represents a top candidate for targeted HNSCC therapy. However, the clinical effectiveness of current Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs targeting EGFR is moderate, and the overall survival rate for HNSCC patients remains low. Therefore, more effective treatments are urgently needed. In this study, we generated a novel diphtheria toxin-based bivalent human epidermal growth factor fusion toxin (bi-EGF-IT) to treat EGFR-expressing HNSCC. Bi-EGF-IT was tested for in vitro binding affinity, cytotoxicity, and specificity using 14 human EGFR-expressing HNSCC cell lines and three human EGFR-negative cancer cell lines. Bi-EGF-IT had increased binding affinity for EGFR-expressing HNSCC compared with the monovalent version (mono-EGF-IT), and both versions specifically depleted EGFR-positive HNSCC, but not EGFR-negative cell lines, in vitro. Bi-EGF-IT exhibited a comparable potency to that of the FDA-approved EGFR inhibitor, erlotinib, for inhibiting HNSCC tumor growth in vivo using both subcutaneous and orthotopic HNSCC xenograft mouse models. When tested in an experimental metastasis model, survival was significantly longer in the bi-EGF-IT treatment group than the erlotinib treatment group, with a significantly reduced number of metastases compared with mono-EGF-IT. In addition, in vivo off-target toxicities were significantly reduced in the bi-EGF-IT treatment group compared with the mono-EGF-IT group. These results demonstrate that bi-EGF-IT is more effective and markedly less toxic at inhibiting primary HNSCC tumor growth and metastasis than mono-EGF-IT and erlotinib. Thus, the novel bi-EGF-IT is a promising drug candidate for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Qi
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yue Qiu
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ling Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - David Mathes
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Pomfret
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dexiang Gao
- Department of Biostatics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shi-Long Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zhirui Wang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.,Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Hoefer A, Pampaka D, Herrera-León S, Peiró S, Varona S, López-Perea N, Masa-Calles J, Herrera-León L. Molecular and Epidemiological Characterization of Toxigenic and Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium belfantii, Corynebacterium rouxii, and Corynebacterium ulcerans Isolates Identified in Spain from 2014 to 2019. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e02410-20. [PMID: 33298610 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.02410-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines the microbiological and epidemiological characteristics of toxigenic and nontoxigenic Corynebacterium isolates submitted to the national reference laboratory in Spain, between 2014 and 2019, in order to describe the current situation and improve our knowledge regarding these emerging pathogens. Epidemiological information was extracted from the Spanish Surveillance System. Microbiological and molecular characterization was carried out using phenotypic methods, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and core genome MLST (cgMLST). Thirty-nine isolates were analyzed. Twenty-one isolates were identified as Corynebacterium diphtheriae (6 toxigenic), 14 as C. belfantii, 4 as C. ulcerans (3 toxigenic), and 1 as C. rouxii One C. diphtheriae isolate was identified as nontoxigenic tox gene bearing (NTTB). Ages of patients ranged from 1 to 89 years, with 10% (3/30) of nontoxigenic and 22% (2/9) of toxigenic isolates collected from children less than 15 years. Twenty-five of the patients were males (17/30 in nontoxigenic; 8/9 in toxigenic). MLST identified 28 sequence types (STs), of which 7 were described for the first time in Spain. WGS analysis showed that 10 isolates, including 3 toxigenic isolates, harbored a variety of antibiotic resistance genes in addition to the high prevalence of penicillin resistance phenotypically demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one cluster of isolates from family members. Risk information was available for toxigenic isolates (9/39); 3 patients reported recent travels to countries of endemicity and 3 had contact with cats/dogs. One unvaccinated child with respiratory diphtheria had a fatal outcome. Including nontoxigenic Corynebacterium infections in disease surveillance and using WGS could further improve current surveillance.
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Schaeffer J, Huhulescu S, Stoeger A, Allerberger F, Ruppitsch W. Assessing the Genetic Diversity of Austrian Corynebacterium diphtheriae Clinical Isolates, 2011 to 2019. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e02529-20. [PMID: 33268541 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.02529-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease with a high potential for reemergence. One of its causative agents is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, with some strains producing diphtheria toxin. From 2011 to 2019, 57 clinical C. diphtheriae strains were isolated in Austria, either from the respiratory tract or from skin infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of these C. diphtheriae isolates using whole-genome sequencing. Isolates were characterized by genome-wide comparisons using single nucleotide polymorphism analysis or core genome multilocus sequence typing and by searching sequence data for antimicrobial resistance genes and genes involved in diphtheria toxin production. The genetic diversity among the isolates was high, with no clear distribution over time or place. Corynebacterium belfantii isolates were separated from other strains and were strongly associated with respiratory infections (odds ratio [OR] = 57). Two clusters, limited in time and space, were identified. Almost 40% of strains carried resistance genes against tetracycline or sulfonamides, mostly from skin infections. Microbiological tests showed that 55% of isolates were resistant to penicillin but did not carry genes conferring β-lactam resistance. A diphtheria toxin gene with no nonsynonymous mutation was found in three isolates only. This study showed that sequencing can provide valuable information complementing routine microbiological and epidemiological investigations. It allowed us to identify unknown clusters, evaluate antimicrobial resistance more broadly, and support toxigenicity results obtained by PCR. For these reasons, C. diphtheriae surveillance could strongly benefit from the routine implementation of whole-genome sequencing.
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Rakotomalala RS, Andrianirina ZZ, Ratsima E, Randrianandraina P, Randrianirina F, Edosoa GT, Rabenandrianina T, Badell E, Toubiana J, Andrianarimanana D, Brisse S, Rasamindrakotroka A. Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection in Mahajanga, Madagascar: First Case Report. J Trop Pediatr 2021; 67:5936080. [PMID: 33094342 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Diphtheria is an infection that has been unreported for more than two decades in Mahajanga. A child, aged 4, presented with a pseudomembranous pharyngitis was associated with a dysphagia. He was from a rural municipality of Ambato Boeny at Mahajanga province and was admitted to the Pediatric Unit of the University Hospital Center. The child was not immunized against diphtheria. A throat swab was performed and cultured, from which Corynebacterium diphtheriae was identified. The strain, of biovar Mitis, was confirmed as diphtheria toxin (DT)-gene positive and produced DT (Elek test). Unfortunately, the child developed cardiac and neurological complications and died of respiratory and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivo Solotiana Rakotomalala
- Laboratoire de Biologie médicale, Département de Sciences fondamentales, Centre hospitalier universitaire PZAGA, Université de Mahajanga, 401 Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Zo Zafitsara Andrianirina
- Département de Pédiatrie, Centre hospitalier universitaire PZAGA, Université de Mahajanga, 401 Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Elisoa Ratsima
- Centre de Biologie Clinique, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Patrick Randrianandraina
- Service ORL, Centre hospitalier universitaire PZAGA, Université de Mahajanga, 401 Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | | | | | - Tahirimalala Rabenandrianina
- Laboratoire de Biologie médicale, Département de Sciences fondamentales, Centre hospitalier universitaire PZAGA, Université de Mahajanga, 401 Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Edgar Badell
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, 75015 Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Julie Toubiana
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, 75015 Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, 75015 Paris, France.,Université de Paris, General Pediatrics and Pediatric infectious diseases department, Necker-Enfants malades, APHP, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Diavolana Andrianarimanana
- Département de Pédiatrie, Centre hospitalier universitaire PZAGA, Université de Mahajanga, 401 Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the Diphtheriae Complex, 75015 Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Andry Rasamindrakotroka
- Laboratoire de Formation et de Recherche en Biologie Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, Université d'Antananarivo, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
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Kharseeva GG, Tyukavkina SY, Mironov AY. Diphtheria: characteristics of the pathogen and laboratory diagnostics (lecture). Klin Lab Diagn 2021; 65:699-706. [PMID: 33301660 DOI: 10.18821/0869-2084-2020-65-11-699-706] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The problem of diphtheria infection remains relevant, since the circulation of toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae persists in the body of bacterial carriers, despite ongoing vaccination. The lecture presents modern ideas about the properties of the pathogen, its pathogenicity factors (toxin, pili, surface proteins (67-72P (or DIP0733), DIP1281, etc.) and their role in the pathogenesis of the disease.. Information about the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and modern methods of laboratory diagnostics of diphtheria is presented. The algorithm of bacteriological research and methods for determining the toxigenic properties of the pathogen are described. The basics of diphtheria vaccination as the only effective means of preventing mass outbreaks of this disease are considered in the framework of the proposed lecture. Knowledge of the peculiarities of the circulation of strains of Corynebacterium diphtheria in modern conditions, pathogenetic and clinical-epidemiological features of diphtheria, as well as modern methods of laboratory diagnostics is important and necessary for students of medical schools and infectious diseases doctors, pediatricians, bacteriologists, therapists, pulmonologists, epidemiologists, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- G G Kharseeva
- SBEI HPE «Rostov state medical university» Ministry of Health Protection of Russia
| | - S Yu Tyukavkina
- SBEI HPE «Rostov state medical university» Ministry of Health Protection of Russia
| | - A Yu Mironov
- Federal State Institution of Science «Gabrichevsky Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology», of Federal Service of Surveillance on Consumer' Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Departament for microbiology
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45
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Santana-Varela S, Bogdanov YD, Gossage SJ, Okorokov AL, Li S, de Clauser L, Alves-Simoes M, Sexton JE, Iseppon F, Luiz AP, Zhao J, Wood JN, Cox JJ. Tools for analysis and conditional deletion of subsets of sensory neurons. Wellcome Open Res 2021; 6:250. [PMID: 35233469 PMCID: PMC8817070 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17090.1] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Somatosensation depends on primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Transcriptional profiling of mouse DRG sensory neurons has defined at least 18 distinct neuronal cell types. Using an advillin promoter, we have generated a transgenic mouse line that only expresses diphtheria toxin A (DTA) in sensory neurons in the presence of Cre recombinase. This has allowed us to ablate specific neuronal subsets within the DRG using a range of established and novel Cre lines that encompass all sets of sensory neurons. Methods: A floxed-tdTomato-stop-DTA bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic reporter line (AdvDTA) under the control of the mouse advillin DRG promoter was generated. The line was first validated using a Na v1.8 Cre and then crossed to CGRP CreER (Calca), Th CreERT2, Tmem45b Cre, Tmem233 Cre, Ntng1 Cre and TrkB CreER (Ntrk2) lines. Pain behavioural assays included Hargreaves', hot plate, Randall-Selitto, cold plantar, partial sciatic nerve ligation and formalin tests. Results: Motor activity, as assessed by the rotarod test, was normal for all lines tested. Noxious mechanosensation was significantly reduced when either Na v1.8 positive neurons or Tmem45b positive neurons were ablated whilst acute heat pain was unaffected. In contrast, noxious mechanosensation was normal following ablation of CGRP-positive neurons but acute heat pain thresholds were significantly elevated and a reduction in nocifensive responses was observed in the second phase of the formalin test. Ablation of TrkB-positive neurons led to significant deficits in mechanical hypersensitivity in the partial sciatic nerve ligation neuropathic pain model. Conclusions: Ablation of specific DRG neuronal subsets using the AdvDTA line will be a useful resource for further functional characterization of somatosensory processing, neuro-immune interactions and chronic pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yury D. Bogdanov
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Antibody and Vaccine Group, Centre for Cancer Immunology, MP127, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO166YD, UK
| | - Samuel J. Gossage
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Andrei L. Okorokov
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Shengnan Li
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Larissa de Clauser
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Institute for Biomedicine, Affiliated Institute of the University of Lubeck, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Marta Alves-Simoes
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jane E. Sexton
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Federico Iseppon
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ana P. Luiz
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jing Zhao
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - John N. Wood
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - James J. Cox
- Molecular Nociception Group, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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Hamamichi S, Fukuhara T, Hattori N. Immunotoxin Screening System: A Rapid and Direct Approach to Obtain Functional Antibodies with Internalization Capacities. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12100658. [PMID: 33076544 PMCID: PMC7602748 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12100658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxins, while harmful and potentially lethal, have been engineered to develop potent therapeutics including cytotoxins and immunotoxins (ITs), which are modalities with highly selective targeting capabilities. Currently, three cytotoxins and IT are FDA-approved for treatment of multiple forms of hematological cancer, and additional ITs are tested in the clinical trials or at the preclinical level. For next generation of ITs, as well as antibody-mediated drug delivery systems, specific targeting by monoclonal antibodies is critical to enhance efficacies and reduce side effects, and this methodological field remains open to discover potent therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Here, we describe our application of engineered toxin termed a cell-based IT screening system. This unique screening strategy offers the following advantages: (1) identification of monoclonal antibodies that recognize cell-surface molecules, (2) selection of the antibodies that are internalized into the cells, (3) selection of the antibodies that induce cytotoxicity since they are linked with toxins, and (4) determination of state-specific activities of the antibodies by differential screening under multiple experimental conditions. Since the functional monoclonal antibodies with internalization capacities have been identified successfully, we have pursued their subsequent modifications beyond antibody drug conjugates, resulting in development of immunoliposomes. Collectively, this screening system by using engineered toxin is a versatile platform, which enables straight-forward and rapid selection for discovery of novel functional antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusei Hamamichi
- Research Institute for Diseases of Old Age, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Takeshi Fukuhara
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
- Department of Research for Parkinson’s Disease, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5802-2731; Fax: +81-3-5800-0547
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
- Department of Research for Parkinson’s Disease, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative Laboratory, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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Williams MM, Waller JL, Aneke JS, Weigand MR, Diaz MH, Bowden KE, Simon AK, Peng Y, Xiaoli L, Cassiday PK, Winchell J, Tondella ML. Detection and Characterization of Diphtheria Toxin Gene-Bearing Corynebacterium Species through a New Real-Time PCR Assay. J Clin Microbiol 2020; 58:e00639-20. [PMID: 32727830 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00639-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory diphtheria, characterized by a firmly adherent pseudomembrane, is caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, with similar illness produced occasionally by toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans or, rarely, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis While diphtheria laboratory confirmation requires culture methods to determine toxigenicity, real-time PCR (RT-PCR) provides a faster method to detect the toxin gene (tox). Nontoxigenic tox-bearing (NTTB) Corynebacterium isolates have been described, but impact of these isolates on the accuracy of molecular diagnostics is not well characterized. Here, we describe a new triplex RT-PCR assay to detect tox and distinguish C. diphtheriae from the closely related species C. ulcerans and C. pseudotuberculosis Analytical sensitivity and specificity of the assay were assessed in comparison to culture using 690 previously characterized microbial isolates. The new triplex assay characterized Corynebacterium isolates accurately, with 100% analytical sensitivity for all targets. Analytical specificity with isolates was 94.1%, 100%, and 99.5% for tox, Diph_rpoB, and CUP_rpoB targets, respectively. Twenty-nine NTTB Corynebacterium isolates, representing 5.9% of 494 nontoxigenic isolates tested, were detected by RT-PCR. Whole-genome sequencing of NTTB isolates revealed varied mutations putatively underlying their lack of toxin production, as well as eight isolates with no mutation in tox or the promoter region. This new Corynebacterium RT-PCR method provides a rapid tool to screen isolates and identify probable diphtheria cases directly from specimens. However, the sporadic occurrence of NTTB isolates reinforces the viewpoint that diphtheria culture diagnostics continue to provide the most accurate case confirmation.
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Purde V, Kudryashova E, Heisler DB, Shakya R, Kudryashov DS. Intein-mediated cytoplasmic reconstitution of a split toxin enables selective cell ablation in mixed populations and tumor xenografts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:22090-22100. [PMID: 32839344 PMCID: PMC7486740 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006603117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of proteinaceous toxins for cell ablation is limited by their high on- and off-target toxicity, severe side effects, and a narrow therapeutic window. The selectivity of targeting can be improved by intein-based toxin reconstitution from two dysfunctional fragments provided their cytoplasmic delivery via independent, selective pathways. While the reconstitution of proteins from genetically encoded elements has been explored, exploiting cell-surface receptors for boosting selectivity has not been attained. We designed a robust splitting algorithm and achieved reliable cytoplasmic reconstitution of functional diphtheria toxin from engineered intein-flanked fragments upon receptor-mediated delivery of one of them to the cells expressing the counterpart. Retargeting the delivery machinery toward different receptors overexpressed in cancer cells enables selective ablation of specific subpopulations in mixed cell cultures. In a mouse model, the transmembrane delivery of a split-toxin construct potently inhibits the growth of xenograft tumors expressing the split counterpart. Receptor-mediated delivery of engineered split proteins provides a platform for precise therapeutic and experimental ablation of tumors or desired cell populations while also greatly expanding the applicability of the intein-based protein transsplicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedud Purde
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
- The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Elena Kudryashova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210;
| | - David B Heisler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
- The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Reena Shakya
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Dmitri S Kudryashov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210;
- The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
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49
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Wan Y, Zhang Y, Wang G, Mwangi PM, Cai H, Li R. Recombinant KRAS G12D Protein Vaccines Elicit Significant Anti-Tumor Effects in Mouse CT26 Tumor Models. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1326. [PMID: 32903495 PMCID: PMC7435050 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug development targeting the most frequently mutation G12D of KRAS has great significance. As an attractive immunotherapy, cancer vaccines can overcome binding difficulties of small molecules; however, the weak immunogenicity and production difficulties of reported KRAS mutation vaccines limit their clinical application. To improve antigen-specific immune responses and Anti-Tumor effects on tumors expressing KRAS G12D mutation, we designed recombinant proteins containing KRAS peptide (amino acids 5–21) with G12D (called SP) in two forms: DTT-SP4 and DTSP. DTT-SP4 was constructed by fusing four copies of SP to the C-terminal of the translocation domain of diphtheria toxin (DTT), and DTSP was constructed by grafting SP onto DTT. The two vaccines in combination with aluminum hydroxide (Alum) and cytosine phosphoguanine (CpG) successfully induced conspicuous SP-specific humoral and cellular immune responses, and displayed prominent protective and therapeutic Anti-Tumor effects in mouse CT26 tumor models. Surprisingly, the DTSP-treated group displayed better Anti-Tumor effects in vivo compared with the DTT-SP4-treated and control groups. Moreover, 87.5 and 50% of DTSP-treated mice in the preventive and therapeutic models were tumor free, respectively. Notably, in the DTSP-treated group, the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression of T cells in vitro and the T-helper 1 (Th1)–related cytokine expression in tumor tissues indicated that the activated Th1 immune response may be involved in Anti-Tumor activity. Furthermore, DTSP treatment remarkably altered the subpopulation of T cells in splenocytes and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The percentage of effector CD8+ T cells increased, whereas that of immunosuppressive CD4+Foxp3+ T cells remained reduced in the DTSP group. Dramatic tumor-inhibitory effects of DTSP, which is easily prepared, make it a more attractive strategy against KRAS G12D tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gengchong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Patrick Malonza Mwangi
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaman Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongxiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai HyCharm Inc., Shanghai, China.,Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Bai J, Kondo R, Mayasari NI, Shigeoka T, Isotani A, Ikawa M, Sashida G, Kawaichi M, Ishida Y. Diphtheria toxin-mediated transposon-driven poly (A)-trapping efficiently disrupts transcriptionally silent genes in embryonic stem cells. Genesis 2020; 58:e23386. [PMID: 32645254 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23386] [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: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Random gene trapping is the application of insertional mutagenesis techniques that are conventionally used to inactivate protein-coding genes in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Transcriptionally silent genes are not effectively targeted by conventional random gene trapping techniques, thus we herein developed an unbiased poly (A) trap (UPATrap) method using a Tol2 transposon, which preferentially integrated into active genes rather than silent genes in ES cells. To achieve efficient trapping at transcriptionally silent genes using random insertional mutagenesis in ES cells, we generated a new diphtheria toxin (DT)-mediated trapping vector, DTrap that removed cells, through the expression of DT that was induced by the promoter activity of the trapped genes, and selected trapped clones using the neomycin-resistance gene of the vector. We found that a double-DT, the dDT vector, dominantly induced the disruption of silent genes, but not active genes, and showed more stable integration in ES cells than the UPATrap vector. The dDT vector disrupted differentiated cell lineage genes, which were silent in ES cells, and labeled trapped clone cells by the expression of EGFP upon differentiation. Thus, the dDT vector provides a systematic approach to disrupt silent genes and examine the cellular functions of trapped genes in the differentiation of target cells and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Bai
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation in Leukemogenesis, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryohei Kondo
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - N Ika Mayasari
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Jalan Agatis Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Toshiaki Shigeoka
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan.,Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Organ Developmental Engineering, Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Goro Sashida
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation in Leukemogenesis, International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Kawaichi
- Division of Educational Development, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Ishida
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara, Japan
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