scholarly journals Metallothionein 3-zinc axis suppresses caspase-11 inflammasome activation and impairs antibacterial immunity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debabrata Chowdhury ◽  
Jason Gardner ◽  
Abhijit Satpati ◽  
Suba Nookala ◽  
Santhosh Mukundan ◽  
...  

Non-canonical inflammasome activation by mouse caspase-11 (or human CASPASE-4/5) is crucial for the clearance of certain gram-negative bacterial infections, but can lead to severe inflammatory damage. Factors that promote non-canonical inflammasome activation are well recognized, but less is known about the mechanisms underlying its negative regulation. Herein, we identify that the caspase-11 inflammasome in mouse and human macrophages (Mϕ) is negatively controlled by the zinc (Zn2+) regulating protein, metallothionein 3 (MT3). Upon challenge with intracellular lipopolysaccharide (iLPS), Mϕ increased MT3 expression that curtailed the activation of caspase-11 and its downstream targets caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β. Mechanistically, MT3 increased intramacrophage Zn2+ to downmodulate the TRIF-IRF3-STAT1 axis that is prerequisite for caspase-11 effector function. MT3 suppressed activation of the caspase-11 inflammasome, while caspase-11 and MT3 synergized in impairing antibacterial immunity. The present study identifies an important yin-yang relationship between the non-canonical inflammasome and MT3 in controlling inflammation and immunity to gram-negative bacteria.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debabrata Chowdhury ◽  
Jason C. Gardner ◽  
Abhijit Satpati ◽  
Suba Nookala ◽  
Santhosh Mukundan ◽  
...  

Non-canonical inflammasome activation by mouse caspase-11 (or human CASPASE-4/5) is crucial for the clearance of certain gram-negative bacterial infections, but can lead to severe inflammatory damage. Factors that promote non-canonical inflammasome activation are well recognized, but less is known about the mechanisms underlying its negative regulation. Herein, we identify that the caspase-11 inflammasome in mouse and human macrophages (Mϕ) is negatively controlled by the zinc (Zn2+) regulating protein, metallothionein 3 (MT3). Upon challenge with intracellular lipopolysaccharide (iLPS), Mϕ increased MT3 expression that curtailed the activation of caspase-11 and its downstream targets caspase-1 and interleukin (IL)-1β. Mechanistically, MT3 increased intramacrophage Zn2+ to downmodulate the TRIF-IRF3-STAT1 axis that is prerequisite for caspase-11 effector function. In vivo, MT3 suppressed activation of the caspase-11 inflammasome, while caspase-11 and MT3 synergized in impairing antibacterial immunity. The present study identifies an important yin-yang relationship between the non-canonical inflammasome and MT3 in controlling inflammation and immunity to gram-negative bacteria.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (21) ◽  
pp. 6688-6693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cierra N. Casson ◽  
Janet Yu ◽  
Valeria M. Reyes ◽  
Frances O. Taschuk ◽  
Anjana Yadav ◽  
...  

Inflammasomes are critical for host defense against bacterial pathogens. In murine macrophages infected by gram-negative bacteria, the canonical inflammasome activates caspase-1 to mediate pyroptotic cell death and release of IL-1 family cytokines. Additionally, a noncanonical inflammasome controlled by caspase-11 induces cell death and IL-1 release. However, humans do not encode caspase-11. Instead, humans encode two putative orthologs: caspase-4 and caspase-5. Whether either ortholog functions similar to caspase-11 is poorly defined. Therefore, we sought to define the inflammatory caspases in primary human macrophages that regulate inflammasome responses to gram-negative bacteria. We find that human macrophages activate inflammasomes specifically in response to diverse gram-negative bacterial pathogens that introduce bacterial products into the host cytosol using specialized secretion systems. In primary human macrophages, IL-1β secretion requires the caspase-1 inflammasome, whereas IL-1α release and cell death are caspase-1–independent. Instead, caspase-4 mediates IL-1α release and cell death. Our findings implicate human caspase-4 as a critical regulator of noncanonical inflammasome activation that initiates defense against bacterial pathogens in primary human macrophages.


Inflammasome ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Bodnar ◽  
Virginie Petrilli

AbstractInflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that play a crucial role in innate immunity. They are assembled by cytosolic sensors of the Nucleotide-binding domain and Leucine-rich repeat containing Receptor (NLR) and PYrin and HIN (PYHIN) domain-containing protein families upon sensing various pathogens and danger signals. Inflammasome formation culminates in caspase-1 activation, which causes the cleavage of pro-IL-1β and pro- IL-18 into active cytokines; this eventually results in the induction of an inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. Recent data using Gram-negative bacteria suggests a role for caspase-11 not only in NLRP3 inflammasome activation but also in a caspase-1- and inflammasome-independent cell death. This novel caspase-11-dependent pathway is critical to control infection by Gram-negative bacteria and has been named the noncanonical inflammasome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talita Odriane Custodio Leite ◽  
Juliana Silva Novais ◽  
Beatriz Lima Cosenza de Carvalho ◽  
Vitor Francisco Ferreira ◽  
Leonardo Alves Miceli ◽  
...  

Background: According to the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important public health threats of the 21st century. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of antimicrobial agents with new mechanism of action, especially those capable of evading known resistance mechanisms. Objective: We described the synthesis, in vitro antimicrobial evaluation, and in silico analysis of a series of 1H-indole-4,7-dione derivatives. Methods: The new series of 1H-indole-4,7-diones was prepared with good yield by using a copper(II)- mediated reaction between bromoquinone and β-enamino ketones bearing alkyl or phenyl groups attached to the nitrogen atom. The antimicrobial potential of indole derivatives was assessed. Molecular docking studies were also performed using AutoDock 4.2 for Windows. Characterization of all compounds was confirmed by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques 1H and 13C NMR spectra [1H, 13C – APT, 1H x 1H – COSY, HSQC and HMBC], IR and mass spectrometry analysis. Results: Several indolequinone compounds showed effective antimicrobial profile against Grampositive (MIC = 16 µg.mL-1) and Gram-negative bacteria (MIC = 8 µg.mL-1) similar to antimicrobials current on the market. The 3-acetyl-1-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-1H-indole-4,7-dione derivative exhibited an important effect against different biofilm stages formed by a serious hospital life-threatening resistant strain of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A hemocompatibility profile analysis based on in vitro hemolysis assays revealed the low toxicity effects of this new series. Indeed, in silico studies showed a good pharmacokinetics and toxicological profiles for all indolequinone derivatives, reinforcing their feasibility to display a promising oral bioavailability. An elucidation of the promising indolequinone derivatives binding mode was achieved, showing interactions with important sites to biological activity of S. aureus DNA gyrase. These results highlighted 3-acetyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1Hindole- 4,7-dione derivative as broad-spectrum antimicrobial prototype to be further explored for treating bacterial infections. Conclusion: The highly substituted indolequinones were obtained in moderate to good yields. The pharmacological study indicated that these compounds should be exploited in the search for a leading substance in a project aimed at obtaining new antimicrobials effective against Gram-negative bacteria.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. T. Blaskovich ◽  
Angela M. Kavanagh ◽  
Alysha G. Elliott ◽  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Soumya Ramu ◽  
...  

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance threatens the viability of modern medicine, which is largely dependent on the successful prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. Unfortunately, there are few new therapeutics in the clinical pipeline, particularly for Gram-negative bacteria. We now present a detailed evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of cannabidiol, the main non-psychoactive component of cannabis. We confirm previous reports of Gram-positive activity and expand the breadth of pathogens tested, including highly resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Clostridioides difficile. Our results demonstrate that cannabidiol has excellent activity against biofilms, little propensity to induce resistance, and topical in vivo efficacy. Multiple mode-of-action studies point to membrane disruption as cannabidiol’s primary mechanism. More importantly, we now report for the first time that cannabidiol can selectively kill a subset of Gram-negative bacteria that includes the ‘urgent threat’ pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Structure-activity relationship studies demonstrate the potential to advance cannabidiol analogs as a much-needed new class of antibiotics.


Author(s):  
Hari P. Nepal ◽  
Rama Paudel

Carbapenems are beta-lactam drugs that have broadest spectrum of activity. They are commonly used as the drugs of last resort to treat complicated bacterial infections. They bind to penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) and inhibit cell wall synthesis in bacteria. Important members that are in clinical use include doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem. Unlike other members, imipenem is hydrolyzed significantly by renal dehydropeptidase; therefore, it is administered together with an inhibitor of renal dehydropeptidase, cilastatin. Carbapenems are usually administered intravenously due to their low oral bioavailability. Most common side effects of these drugs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and reactions at the infusion sites. Increasing resistance to these antibiotics is being reported throughout the world and is posing a threat to public health.  Primary mechanisms of carbapenem resistance include expulsion of drug and inactivation of the drug by production of carbapenemases which may not only hydrolyze carbapenem, but also cephalosporin, penicillin, and aztreonam. Resistance especially among Gram negative bacteria is of much concern since there are only limited therapeutic options available for infections caused by carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Commonly used drugs to treat such infections include polymyxins, fosfomycin and tigecycline.


Cell ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 606-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay A.K. Rathinam ◽  
Sivapriya Kailasan Vanaja ◽  
Lisa Waggoner ◽  
Anna Sokolovska ◽  
Christine Becker ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 3174-3184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaogang Wang ◽  
William J. Eagen ◽  
Jean C. Lee

Release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a common feature among eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria. However, the biogenesis and downstream biological effects of EVs released from gram-positive bacteria remain poorly characterized. Here, we report that EVs purified from a community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain were internalized into human macrophages in vitro and that this process was blocked by inhibition of the dynamin-dependent endocytic pathway. Human macrophages responded to S. aureus EVs by TLR2 signaling and activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes through K+ efflux, leading to the recruitment of ASC and activation of caspase-1. Cleavage of pro–interleukin (IL)-1β, pro-IL-18, and gasdermin-D by activated caspase-1 resulted in the cellular release of the mature cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and induction of pyroptosis. Consistent with this result, a dose-dependent cytokine response was detected in the extracellular fluids of mice challenged intraperitoneally with S. aureus EVs. Pore-forming toxins associated with S. aureus EVs were critical for NLRP3-dependent caspase-1 activation of human macrophages, but not for TLR2 signaling. In contrast, EV-associated lipoproteins not only mediated TLR2 signaling to initiate the priming step of NLRP3 activation but also modulated EV biogenesis and the toxin content of EVs, resulting in alterations in IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1 activity. Collectively, our study describes mechanisms by which S. aureus EVs induce inflammasome activation and reveals an unexpected role of staphylococcal lipoproteins in EV biogenesis. EVs may serve as a novel secretory pathway for S. aureus to transport protected cargo in a concentrated form to host cells during infections to modulate cellular functions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Ochieng' ◽  
Humphrey Okechi ◽  
Susan Ferson ◽  
A. Leland Albright

OBJECT Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hydrocephalus. Most data about these infections come from the Western literature. Few data about infecting organisms in Africa are available, yet knowledge of these organisms is important for the prevention and treatment of infectious complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the organisms cultured from infected shunts in a rural Kenyan hospital. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective study of patients with VPS infections recorded in the neurosurgical database of BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital between September 2010 and July 2012. RESULTS Among 53 VPS infections confirmed by culture, 68% occurred in patients who were younger than 6 months. Seventy-nine percent of the infections occurred within 2 months after shunt insertion. Only 51% of infections were caused by Staphylococcus species (Staphylococcus aureus 25%, other Staphylococcus species 26%), whereas 40% were caused by gram-negative bacteria. All S. aureus infections and 79% of other Staphylococcus infections were sensitive to cefazolin, but only 1 of 21 gram-negative bacteria was sensitive to it. The majority of gram-negative bacterial infections were multidrug resistant, but 17 of the 20 gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to meropenem. Gram-negative bacterial infections were associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The high proportion of gram-negative infections differs from data in the Western literature, in which Staphylococcus epidermidis is by far the most common organism. Once a patient is diagnosed with a VPS infection in Kenya, immediate treatment is recommended to cover both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections. Data from other Sub-Saharan countries are needed to determine if those countries have the same increased frequency of gram-negative infections.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement_7) ◽  
pp. S565-S575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yohei Doi

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance has become one of the greatest threats to public health, with rising resistance to carbapenems being a particular concern due to the lack of effective and safe alternative treatment options. Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria of clinical relevance include the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and more recently, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Colistin and tigecycline have been used as first-line agents for the treatment of infections caused by these pathogens; however, there are uncertainties regarding their efficacy even when used in combination with other agents. More recently, several new agents with activity against certain carbapenem-resistant pathogens have been approved for clinical use or are reaching late-stage clinical development. They include ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam, plazomicin, eravacycline, and cefiderocol. In addition, fosfomycin has been redeveloped in a new intravenous formulation. Data regarding the clinical efficacy of these new agents specific to infections caused by carbapenem-resistant pathogens are slowly emerging and appear to generally favor newer agents over previous best available therapy. As more treatment options become widely available for carbapenem-resistant gram-negative infections, the role of antimicrobial stewardship will become crucial in ensuring appropriate and rationale use of these new agents.


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