scholarly journals Novel Selective Inhibition of Lactobacillus iners by Lactobacillus-Derived Bacteriocins

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trine Nilsen ◽  
Iwona Swedek ◽  
Laurel A. Lagenaur ◽  
Thomas P. Parks
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Active Material ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Obstetric Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Peptides ◽  
Vaginal Lactobacilli ◽  
Class Iib ◽  
Culture Supernatants

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus iners is often associated with vaginal dysbiosis and bacterial vaginosis (BV), which are risk factors for adverse gynecological and obstetric outcomes. To discover natural inhibitors of L. iners, cell-free culture supernatants (CFSs) from 77 vaginal human Lactobacillus strains and 1 human intestinal strain were screened for inhibitory activity. Three active strains were identified, and Lactobacillus paragasseri K7 (K7), a human intestinal strain, produced the most potent L. iners-inhibitory activity. The active material was purified from the K7 CFS and yielded three active peptides, identified as components of two different class IIb, two-peptide bacteriocins, gassericin K7A (GasK7A) and gassericin K7B (GasK7B). The peptides corresponded to the GasK7A α peptide and the GasK7B α and β peptides. While all three peptides exhibited individual activity against L. iners, GasK7B α was the most potent, with an MIC of 23 ng/ml (4 nM). When combined in equal amounts, the GasK7B α and β peptides showed synergistic inhibition, with an MIC of 2 ng/ml (each peptide at 0.4 nM). Among the four major vaginal Lactobacillus species, the K7 bacteriocins selectively inhibited L. iners. All 21 strains of L. iners tested (100%) were inhibited by the K7 bacteriocins, whereas <20% of the vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri strains were inhibited. The combination of the BV treatment metronidazole and K7 bacteriocins completely killed both L. iners and Gardnerella vaginalis in a coculture experiment to mimic BV conditions. In contrast, this treatment did not inhibit L. crispatus cultures. IMPORTANCE Lactobacillus iners is a prevalent species of the vaginal microbiome, but unlike other major vaginal Lactobacillus species, it is not considered protective against BV and can coexist with BV-associated bacteria. L. iners is generally the first Lactobacillus species to emerge following the treatment of BV with metronidazole, and mounting evidence suggests that it may contribute to the onset and maintenance of vaginal dysbiosis. The discovery of highly potent bacteriocins that selectively kill L. iners while sparing protective vaginal lactobacilli may provide novel pharmacological tools to better understand the roles of this enigmatic bacterium in vaginal ecology and potentially lead to new and improved therapies for dysbiosis-related conditions such as BV.

scholarly journals Identification of Heparin Modifications and Polysaccharide Inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Invasion That Have Potential for Novel Drug Development

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle J. Boyle ◽  
Mark Skidmore ◽  
Benjamin Dickerman ◽  
Lynsay Cooper ◽  
Anthony Devlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Sulfated Polysaccharides ◽  
Merozoite Invasion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Falciparum Merozoite ◽  
Successful Control ◽  
Novel Drug

ABSTRACT Despite recent successful control efforts, malaria remains a leading global health burden. Alarmingly, resistance to current antimalarials is increasing and the development of new drug families is needed to maintain malaria control. Current antimalarials target the intraerythrocytic developmental stage of the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. However, the invasive extracellular parasite form, the merozoite, is also an attractive target for drug development. We have previously demonstrated that heparin-like molecules, including those with low molecular weights and low anticoagulant activities, are potent and specific inhibitors of merozoite invasion and blood-stage replication. Here we tested a large panel of heparin-like molecules and sulfated polysaccharides together with various modified chemical forms for their inhibitory activity against P. falciparum merozoite invasion. We identified chemical modifications that improve inhibitory activity and identified several additional sulfated polysaccharides with strong inhibitory activity. These studies have important implications for the further development of heparin-like molecules as antimalarial drugs and for understanding merozoite invasion.

scholarly journals Plasmodium falciparum Line-Dependent Association ofIn VitroGrowth-Inhibitory Activity and Risk of Malaria

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1900-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josea Rono ◽  
Anna Färnert ◽  
Daniel Olsson ◽  
Faith Osier ◽  
Ingegerd Rooth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Erythrocyte Invasion ◽  
Growth Inhibitory ◽  
Growth Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Control Study

ABSTRACTPlasmodium falciparum's ability to invade erythrocytes is essential for its survival within the human host. Immune mechanisms that impair this ability are therefore expected to contribute to immunity against the parasite. Plasma of humans who are naturally exposed to malaria has been shown to have growth-inhibitory activity (GIA)in vitro. However, the importance of GIA in relation to protection from malaria has been unclear. In a case-control study nested within a longitudinally followed population in Tanzania, plasma samples collected at baseline from 171 individuals (55 cases and 116 age-matched controls) were assayed for GIA using threeP. falciparumlines (3D7, K1, and W2mef) chosen based on their erythrocyte invasion phenotypes. Distribution of GIA differed between the lines, with most samples inhibiting the growth of 3D7 and K1 and enhancing the growth of W2mef. GIA to 3D7 was associated with a reduced risk of malaria within 40 weeks of follow-up (odds ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21 to 0.96;P= 0.04), whereas GIA to K1 and W2mef was not. These results show that GIA, as well as its association with protection from malaria, is dependent on theP. falciparumline and can be explained by differences in erythrocyte invasion phenotypes between parasite lines. Our study contributes knowledge on the biological importance of growth inhibition and the potential influence ofP. falciparumerythrocyte invasion phenotypic differences on its relationship to protective immunity against malaria.

scholarly journals Selective Inhibition of Coxiella burnetii Replication by the Steroid Hormone Progesterone

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary P. Howard ◽  
Anders Omsland
Keyword(s):  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct Inhibitory Effect

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic bacterial obligate intracellular parasite and the cause of query (Q) fever. During natural infection of female animals, C. burnetii shows tropism for the placenta and is associated with late-term abortion, at which time the pathogen titer in placental tissue can exceed one billion bacteria per gram. During later stages of pregnancy, placental trophoblasts serve as the major source of progesterone, a steroid hormone known to affect the replication of some pathogens. During infection of placenta-derived JEG-3 cells, C. burnetii showed sensitivity to progesterone but not the immediate precursor pregnenolone or estrogen, another major mammalian steroid hormone. Using host cell-free culture, progesterone was determined to have a direct inhibitory effect on C. burnetii replication. Synergy between the inhibitory effect of progesterone and the efflux pump inhibitors verapamil and 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)-piperazine is consistent with a role for efflux pumps in preventing progesterone-mediated inhibition of C. burnetii activity. The sensitivity of C. burnetii to progesterone, but not structurally related molecules, is consistent with the ability of progesterone to influence pathogen replication in progesterone-producing tissues.

scholarly journals Global Analysis of Protein Palmitoylation in African Trypanosomes

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Emmer ◽  
Ernesto S. Nakayasu ◽  
Christina Souther ◽  
Hyungwon Choi ◽  
Tiago J. P. Sobreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Identification ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Rich Domain ◽  
Protein Palmitoylation ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass

ABSTRACT Many eukaryotic proteins are posttranslationally modified by the esterification of cysteine thiols to long-chain fatty acids. This modification, protein palmitoylation, is catalyzed by a large family of palmitoyl acyltransferases that share an Asp-His-His-Cys Cys-rich domain but differ in their subcellular localizations and substrate specificities. In Trypanosoma brucei , the flagellated protozoan parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, protein palmitoylation has been observed for a few proteins, but the extent and consequences of this modification are largely unknown. We undertook the present study to investigate T. brucei protein palmitoylation at both the enzyme and substrate levels. Treatment of parasites with an inhibitor of total protein palmitoylation caused potent growth inhibition, yet there was no effect on growth by the separate, selective inhibition of each of the 12 individual T. brucei palmitoyl acyltransferases. This suggested either that T. brucei evolved functional redundancy for the palmitoylation of essential palmitoyl proteins or that palmitoylation of some proteins is catalyzed by a noncanonical transferase. To identify the palmitoylated proteins in T. brucei , we performed acyl biotin exchange chemistry on parasite lysates, followed by streptavidin chromatography, two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry protein identification, and QSpec statistical analysis. A total of 124 palmitoylated proteins were identified, with an estimated false discovery rate of 1.0%. This palmitoyl proteome includes all of the known palmitoyl proteins in procyclic-stage T. brucei as well as several proteins whose homologues are palmitoylated in other organisms. Their sequences demonstrate the variety of substrate motifs that support palmitoylation, and their identities illustrate the range of cellular processes affected by palmitoylation in these important pathogens.

scholarly journals Evidence ofIn VivoProphage Induction during Clostridium difficile Infection

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (21) ◽  
pp. 7662-7670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Meessen-Pinard ◽  
Ognjen Sekulovic ◽  
Louis-Charles Fortier
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Culture Supernatants

ABSTRACTProphages contribute to the evolution and virulence of most bacterial pathogens, but their role inClostridium difficileis unclear. Here we describe the isolation of fourMyoviridaephages, ϕMMP01, ϕMMP02, ϕMMP03, and ϕMMP04, that were recovered as free viral particles in the filter-sterilized stool supernatants of patients suffering fromC. difficileinfection (CDI). Furthermore, identical prophages were found in the chromosomes ofC. difficileisolated from the corresponding fecal samples. We therefore provide, for the first time, evidence ofin vivoprophage induction during CDI. We completely sequenced the genomes of ϕMMP02 and ϕMMP04, and bioinformatics analyses did not reveal the presence of virulence factors but underlined the unique character of ϕMMP04. We also studied the mobility of ϕMMP02 and ϕMMP04 prophagesin vitro. Both prophages were spontaneously induced, with 4 to 5 log PFU/ml detected in the culture supernatants of the corresponding lysogens. When lysogens were grown in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, or mitomycin C, the phage titers further increased, reaching 8 to 9 log PFU/ml in the case of ϕMMP04. In summary, our study highlights the extensive genetic diversity and mobility ofC. difficileprophages. Moreover, antibiotics known to represent risk factors for CDI, such as quinolones, can stimulate prophage mobilityin vitroand probablyin vivoas well, which underscores their potential impact on phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer events and the evolution ofC. difficile.

scholarly journals In VitroInteractions of Antifungal Agents and Tacrolimus against Aspergillus Biofilms

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 7097-7099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lujuan Gao ◽  
Yi Sun
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Aspergillus Flavus ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Aspergillus Terreus ◽  
Antifungal Agents ◽  
Broth Microdilution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antagonistic Effects

ABSTRACTAspergillusbiofilms were prepared fromAspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus flavus, andAspergillus terreusvia a 96-well plate-based method, and the combined antifungal activity of tacrolimus with azoles or amphotericin B againstAspergillusbiofilms was investigated via a broth microdilution checkerboard technique system. Our results suggest that combinations of tacrolimus with voriconazole or amphotericin B have synergistic inhibitory activity againstAspergillusbiofilms. However, combinations of tacrolimus with itraconazole or posaconazole exhibit no synergistic or antagonistic effects.

scholarly journals Bacteria Modify Candida albicans Hypha Formation, Microcolony Properties, and Survival within Macrophages

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ornella Salvatori ◽  
Rohitashw Kumar ◽  
Sarah Metcalfe ◽  
Margaret Vickerman ◽  
Jason G. Kay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Floating Structures ◽  
Epithelial Monolayers ◽  
Hypha Formation ◽  
Signaling Peptides ◽  
Culture Supernatants ◽  
Phagocytic Killing

ABSTRACT Phagocytic cells are crucial components of the innate immune system preventing Candida albicans mucosal infections. Streptococcus gordonii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa often colonize mucosal sites, along with C. albicans, and yet interkingdom interactions that might alter the survival and escape of fungi from macrophages are not understood. Murine macrophages were coinfected with S. gordonii or P. aeruginosa, along with C. albicans to evaluate changes in fungal survival. S. gordonii increased C. albicans survival and filamentation within macrophage phagosomes, while P. aeruginosa reduced fungal survival and filamentation. Coinfection with S. gordonii resulted in greater escape of C. albicans from macrophages and increased size of fungal microcolonies formed on macrophage monolayers, while coinfection with P. aeruginosa reduced macrophage escape and produced smaller microcolonies. Microcolonies formed in the presence of P. aeruginosa cells outside macrophages also had significantly reduced size that was not found with P. aeruginosa phenazine deletion mutants. S. gordonii cells, as well as S. gordonii heat-fixed culture supernatants, increased C. albicans microcolony biomass but also resulted in microcolony detachment. A heat-resistant, trypsin-sensitive pheromone processed by S. gordonii Eep was needed for these effects. The majority of fungal microcolonies formed on human epithelial monolayers with S. gordonii supernatants developed as large floating structures with no detectable invasion of epithelium, along with reduced gene expression of C. albicans HYR1, EAP1, and HWP2 adhesins. However, a subset of C. albicans microcolonies was smaller and had greater epithelial invasiveness compared to microcolonies grown without S. gordonii. Thus, bacteria can alter the killing and escape of C. albicans from macrophages and contribute to changes in C. albicans pathogenicity. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans is the predominant fungus colonizing the oral cavity that can have both synergistic and antagonistic interactions with other bacteria. Interkingdom polymicrobial associations modify fungal pathogenicity and are believed to increase microbial resistance to innate immunity. However, it is not known how these interactions alter fungal survival during phagocytic killing. We demonstrated that secreted molecules of S. gordonii and P. aeruginosa alter C. albicans survival within the phagosome of macrophages and alter fungal pathogenic phenotypes, including filamentation and microcolony formation. Moreover, we provide evidence for a dual interaction between S. gordonii and C. albicans such that S. gordonii signaling peptides can promote C. albicans commensalism by decreasing microcolony attachment while increasing invasion in epithelial cells. Our results identify bacterial diffusible factors as an attractive target to modify virulence of C. albicans in polymicrobial infections.

scholarly journals OXA-48-Mediated Ceftazidime-Avibactam Resistance Is Associated with Evolutionary Trade-Offs

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Fröhlich ◽  
Vidar Sørum ◽  
Ane Molden Thomassen ◽  
Pål Jarle Johnsen ◽  
Hanna-Kirsti S. Leiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Amino Acid Substitutions ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Collateral Effects

ABSTRACTInfections due to carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative pathogens are associated with limited treatment options and consequently lead to increased mortality and morbidity. In response, combinations of existing β-lactams and novel β-lactamase inhibitors, such as ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI), have been developed as alternative treatment options. To understand the development of resistance and evolutionary trajectories under CAZ-AVI exposure, we studied the effects of ceftazidime (CAZ) and CAZ-AVI on the carbapenemase OXA-48 and the epidemic OXA-48 plasmid inEscherichia coli. Exposure of CAZ and CAZ-AVI resulted in single (P68A) and double (P68A,Y211S) amino acid substitutions in OXA-48, respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility data and enzyme kinetics showed that the P68A substitution was responsible for an increased activity toward CAZ, whereas P68A,Y211S led to a decrease in the inhibitory activity of AVI. X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling of the mutants demonstrated increased flexibility within the active site, which could explain the elevated CAZ hydrolysis and reduced inhibitory activity of AVI. Interestingly, these substitutions resulted in collateral effects compromising the activity of OXA-48 toward carbapenems and penicillins. Moreover, exposure to CAZ-AVI selected for mutations within the OXA-48-encoding plasmid that severely reduced fitness in the absence of antimicrobial selection. These evolutionary trade-offs may contribute to limit the evolution of OXA-48-mediated CAZ and CAZ-AVI resistance, as well as potentially resensitize isolates toward other therapeutic alternatives.IMPORTANCEThe recent introduction of novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations like ceftazidime-avibactam has increased our ability to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenemase-producingEnterobacterales. However, the increasing number of cases of reported resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam is a concern. OXA-48 is a carbapenemase that has no significant effect on ceftazidime, but is inhibited by avibactam. Since isolates with OXA-48 frequently harbor extended-spectrum β-lactamases that are inhibited by avibactam, it is likely that ceftazidime-avibactam will be used to treat infections caused by OXA-48-producingEnterobacterales.Our data show that exposure to ceftazidime-avibactam can lead to changes in OXA-48, resulting in increased ability to hydrolyze ceftazidime and withstand the inhibitory effect of avibactam. Thus, resistance toward ceftazidime-avibactam among OXA-48-producingEnterobacteralesshould be monitored. Interestingly, the compromising effect of the amino acid substitutions in OXA-48 on other β-lactams and the effect of ceftazidime-avibactam exposure on the epidemic OXA-48 plasmid indicate that the evolution of ceftazidime-avibactam resistance comes with collateral effects.

scholarly journals Progress towards the Development of a NEAT Vaccine for Anthrax II: Immunogen Specificity and Alum Effectiveness in an Inhalational Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Jelinski ◽  
Austen Terwilliger ◽  
Sabrina Green ◽  
Anthony Maresso
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Protective Antigen ◽  
Anthrax Toxin ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Lethal Challenge ◽  
Anthrax Vaccine ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heme Transport ◽  
Bacillus Spores ◽  
Culture Supernatants

ABSTRACT Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax disease, presents with high mortality, and has been at the center of bioweapon efforts. The only currently U.S. FDA-approved vaccine to prevent anthrax in humans is anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA), which is protective in several animal models and induces neutralizing antibodies against protective antigen (PA), the cell-binding component of anthrax toxin. However, AVA requires a five-course regimen to induce immunity, along with an annual booster, and is composed of undefined culture supernatants from a PA-secreting strain. In addition, it appears to be ineffective against strains that lack anthrax toxin. Here, we investigated a vaccine formulation consisting of recombinant proteins from a surface-localized heme transport system containing near-iron transporter (NEAT) domains and its efficacy as a vaccine for anthrax disease. The cocktail of five NEAT domains was protective against a lethal challenge of inhaled bacillus spores at 3 and 28 weeks after vaccination. The reduction of the formulation to three NEATs (IsdX1, IsdX2, and Bslk) was as effective as a five-NEAT domain cocktail. The adjuvant alum, approved for use in humans, was as protective as Freund’s Adjuvant, and protective vaccination correlated with increased anti-NEAT antibody reactivity and reduced bacterial levels in organs. Finally, the passive transfer of anti-NEAT antisera reduced mortality and disease severity, suggesting the protective component is comprised of antibodies. Collectively, these results provide evidence that a vaccine based upon recombinant NEAT proteins should be considered in the development of a next-generation anthrax vaccine.

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