Human Defensins from antivirals to vaccine adjuvants: rediscovery of the innate immunity arsenal

: Human defensins are a class of antimicrobial peptides, belonging to the innate immunity system. These peptides are expressed at the level of respiratory tract (both upper and lower) where they represent the first line of defense against pathogens; they are also known for their activity against different viruses, acting through diverse mechanisms, including direct binding to the virus, inhibition of viral replication, and aggregation of virions. It has been recently reported they are also effective against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, they influence the immune response stimulating it in the challenge against microorganisms. An intriguingly potential application of defensin is related to their use as vaccine adjuvants; indeed, some in silico studies suggested their efficacy in boosting the immune response. Since the long-term persistence of acquired immunity against SARS-CoV-2 triggered by the currently employed vaccines is not known, natural agents with enhancing effects, such as defensins, administered with the vaccine, can be an interesting and attractive alternative.

Antibacterial activity of human defensins against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Background The global problem of antibiotic resistance requires the search for and development of new methods of treatment. One of the promising strategies is the use of low doses of antimicrobial peptides, in particular, human defensins HNP-1, hBD-1, and hBD-3, in combination with antibacterial drugs already used in clinical practice. This approach may be used to increase the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. However, this requires thorough study of the effectiveness of defensins in combination with antibiotics against a large number of bacterial strains with known phenotypes of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this work was to study the antibacterial effect of HNP-1, hBD-1 and hBD-3 in combination with rifampicin or amikacin against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (n = 27) and Escherichia coli (n = 24) collected from hospitalized patients. Methods The standard checkerboard assay was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobials. The combined microbicidal effects of two substances (defensin + conventional antibiotic) were assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). Results The highest anti-staphylococcal activity (including methicillin-resistant strains) among defensins was demonstrated by hBD-3 that had MIC of 1 (0.5–4) mg/L (hereinafter, MIC values are presented as median and interquartile range). The MIC of HNP-1 against S. aureus was 4 (2–8) mg/L; the MIC of hBD-1 was 8 (4–8) mg/L. Against E. coli, the most effective was also found to be hBD-3 that had MIC of 4 (4–8) mg/L; the MIC of HNP-1 was 12 (4–32) mg/L. The combinations of HNP-1 + rifampicin and hBD-3 + rifampicin demonstrated synergistic effects against S. aureus. Against E. coli, combinations of HNP-1 + amikacin and hBD-3 + amikacin also showed synergy of action.

HNP-1 and HBD-1 as Biomarkers for the Immune Systems of Elite Basketball Athletes

Acute or strenuous exercise is sometimes related to upper respiratory tract infections in athletes. Practicing intense and regular exercise can lead to incorrect activation of the immune system, causing athletes to be excluded from training programs and competitions. Defensins are small antimicrobial peptides that are part of the innate immune system and dynamically involved in several biological activities. In this study, we highlight the role of human defensins in competitive basketball athletes. In particular, we consider the behavior of alpha- and beta-defensins together with white blood cells in a cohort of players. Moreover, we focus our attention on cortisol, a physiological indicator of stress, and testosterone, both of which are human hormones involved in muscle metabolism. The free-testosterone/cortisol ratio is considered to be an indicator of overtraining among athletes. This paper provides an up-to-date information of the role of human defensins as self-defense molecules during a continuous stressor such as long-term exercise, and it recognizes them as potential markers of infection.

Lectin-like Intestinal Defensin Inhibits 2019-nCoV Spike binding to ACE2

The burgeoning epidemic caused by novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) is currently a global concern. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is a receptor of 2019-nCoV spike 1 protein (S1) and mediates viral entry into host cells. Despite the abundance of ACE2 in small intestine, few digestive symptoms are observed in patients infected by 2019-nCoV. Herein, we investigated the interactions between ACE2 and human defensins (HDs) specifically secreted by intestinal Paneth cells. The lectin-like HD5, rather than HD6, bound ACE2 with a high affinity of 39.3 nM and weakened the subsequent recruitment of 2019-nCoV S1. The cloak of HD5 on the ligand-binding domain of ACE2 was confirmed by molecular dynamic simulation. A remarkable dose-dependent preventive effect of HD5 on 2019-nCoV S1 binding to intestinal epithelial cells was further evidenced by in vitro experiments. Our findings unmasked the innate defense function of lectin-like intestinal defensin against 2019-nCoV, which may provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of 2019-nCoV infection.

The spectrum of antibacterial activity of human defensins and cathelicidin against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains isolated from hospitalized patients

BackgroundTo date, there is a spread of resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics. To solve this problem, the search and development of new drugs with antibacterial activity is necessary. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have pronounced antibacterial activity and may be promising candidates for the role of new drugs. Besides, AMPs can be used to overcome conventional antibiotics resistance due to the possible synergistic effect. In this work, the combined effect of some AMPs (human defensins, HNP-1, hBD-1, hBD-3 and cathelicidin, LL-37) with conventional antibiotics (vancomycin and imipenem) against gram-positive (Enterococcus faecalis; Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-sensitive, MSSA, and methicillin-resistant, MRSA) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains was investigated.MethodsBacterial strains were isolated from hospitalized patients of the intensive care unit. Commercially available AMPs (HNP-1, hBD-1, hBD-3, LL-37 by Cloud-Clone Corp., USA) and antibiotics, vancomycin (Sandoz, Slovenia) and imipenem (Merck Sharp and Dohme, USA) were used. Antibiotic resistance phenotypes of isolated bacterial strains were carried out using the disk diffusion method. The standard checkerboard assays were used to study minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobials. The combined microbicidal effect of two substances (AMP+conventional antibiotic) was assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). If FICI ≤ 0,5, then it was considered that two substances showed synergism of action; if 0.5 < FICI < 4 – no interaction; if FICI > 4 – antagonism.ResultsAll studied AMPs had antibacterial activity against the studied strains. hBD-3 showed the lowest MICs compared to other AMPs. MIC of hBD-3 against S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA), E. coli, K. pneumoniae was the same – 0.5 mg/L, and against P. aeruginosa it was 2 mg/L. The combinations HNP-1+vancomycin (against E. faecalis) and hBD-3+imipenem (against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa) according to FICI values have shown the synergistic effect. The results of this study can be used to develop novel antibiotics based on AMPs. Also, in some cases, AMPs can help to overcome resistance to conventional antibiotics.