Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather L. Shearer, James C. Paton, Mark B. Hampton, Nina Dickerhof
Summary: This study found that glutathione plays a crucial role in protecting Streptococcus pneumoniae from hypothiocyanous acid. The research also suggests that limiting the utilization of glutathione by S. pneumoniae may be a way to restrict its colonization and pathogenicity.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Heather L. Shearer, Christopher D. Kaldor, Harry Hua, Anthony J. Kettle, Heather A. Parker, Mark B. Hampton
Summary: Streptococcus pneumoniae, a serious respiratory pathogen, is able to resist hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by converting it into hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN). Thiocyanate and extracellular proteins protect the bacteria from hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in the respiratory tract. Understanding this protection mechanism may lead to strategies for controlling the colonization and pathogenicity of S. pneumoniae.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Teagan S. Edwards, Nina Dickerhof, Nicholas J. Magon, Louise N. Paton, Peter D. Sly, Anthony J. Kettle
Summary: In this study, it was found that the detectability of Calprotectin significantly declines in ELISA due to oxidation by hypochlorous acid and subsequent degradation. Furthermore, specific peptides derived from oxidized Calprotectin were identified and assessed as biomarkers of neutrophilic inflammation and infection, providing insights into the severity of inflammation and the presence of infection.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Louisa Ashby, Reuben Springer, Vu Van Loi, Haike Antelmann, Mark B. Hampton, Anthony J. Kettle, Nina Dickerhof
Summary: Targeting the immune evasion tactics of pathogenic bacteria is crucial for treating stubborn bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus produces BSH, a low-molecular-weight thiol that is believed to protect the bacteria against oxidative stress inside neutrophil phagosomes. However, the oxidation of BSH is only partially effective in protecting the bacteria from neutrophil killing mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Leon C. D. Smyth, Helen C. Murray, Madison Hill, Eve van Leeuwen, Blake Highet, Nicholas J. Magon, Mahyar Osanlouy, Sophie N. Mathiesen, Bruce Mockett, Malvindar K. Singh-Bains, Vanessa K. Morris, Andrew N. Clarkson, Maurice A. Curtis, Wickliffe C. Abraham, Stephanie M. Hughes, Richard L. M. Faull, Anthony J. Kettle, Mike Dragunow, Mark B. Hampton
Summary: This study found that neutrophil accumulation in Alzheimer's disease is associated with cognitive impairment. The oxidant-generating enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) expressed in neutrophils could be a potential therapeutic target for AD. Vascular changes may drive neutrophil adhesion and NETosis.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Toshiyuki Nakamura, Chiharu Tsutsui, Yu Okuda, Naomi Abe-Kanoh, Saori Okazawa, Shintaro Munemasa, Yoshiyuki Murata, Yoji Kato, Yoshimasa Nakamura
Summary: In this study, it was found that benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and its metabolites can modulate osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting cell proliferation and modifying cellular proteins.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
A. Swaminathan, G. M. Borichevsky, T. S. Edwards, E. Hirschfeld, T. C. Mules, C. M. Frampton, A. S. Day, M. B. Hampton, A. J. Kettle, R. B. Gearry
Summary: This study investigated the use of faecal myeloperoxidase (fMPO) as a biomarker for the activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The results showed that fMPO was significantly correlated with endoscopic activity and could accurately predict the severity and complexity of the disease.
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2022)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Akhilesh Swaminathan, Chris M. Frampton, Grace M. Borichevsky, Anthony J. Kettle, Richard B. Gearry
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Anthony J. Kettle, Louisa V. Ashby, Christine C. Winterbourn, Nina Dickerhof
Summary: The burst of superoxide during neutrophils' immune response remains poorly understood, despite being a defining feature of these cells. Superoxide is a versatile molecule with multiple functions, including acting as an oxidant, reductant, nucleophile, or enzyme substrate. New techniques are needed to study the interactions between superoxide and myeloperoxidase inside phagosomes, where bacteria are trapped and digested, in order to unravel its precise role in neutrophil biology. These investigations will provide valuable insights into host defense and enhance our understanding of superoxide's biology.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Mark B. Hampton, Nina Dickerhof
Summary: The neutrophil phagosome poses a challenging environment for bacteria, but our understanding of the complex biochemistry within it is incomplete. Heterogeneity among phagosomes suggests that investigating the conditions that allow bacteria to survive could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Monitoring or recovering bacteria from phagosomes and unbiased screening for essential bacterial genes are important for gaining insights into their survival mechanisms inside neutrophil phagosomes.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heather L. Shearer, Vu V. Loi, Paul Weiland, Gert Bange, Florian Altegoer, Mark B. Hampton, Haike Antelmann, Nina Dickerhof
Summary: A study reveals that Staphylococcus aureus has developed a defense mechanism against the antimicrobial oxidant hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) in order to cause infections in humans. The enzyme MerA acts as a HOSCN reductase, protecting the bacteria from oxidative stress. Understanding the structure and function of MerA may lead to new strategies for treating S. aureus infections.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christine C. Winterbourn, Alexander Peskin, Torsten Kleffmann, Rafael Radi, Paul E. Pace
Summary: The presence of bicarbonate enhances the inactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a reversible manner. The enhanced inactivation is most likely due to the formation of a more reactive oxidant, peroxy-monocarbonate (HCO4-). GAPDH may facilitate the formation and/or targeting of HCO4- to promote its own inactivation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yoji Kato, Asahi Sakanishi, Kaoru Matsuda, Mai Hattori, Ichiro Kaneko, Miyu Nishikawa, Shinichi Ikushiro
Summary: This study examined the inhibitory effect of endogenous quinones on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The results demonstrated that quinones can bind to and inhibit the protease, potentially serving as inhibitors for the viral enzyme.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Toshio Niwa, Yoji Kato, Toshihiko Osawa
Summary: The PtO2-catalyzed hydrogenation of curcumin produced slightly predominant meso-octahydrocurcumin than raceme octahydrocurcumin. Similar result was found in the product obtained from tetrahydrocurcumin and NaBH4, whereas using palladium carbon as a catalyst increased the meso-octahydrocurcumin ratio. Compared with chemical methods, baker's yeast produced 3S,5S-octahydrocurcumin and meso-octahydrocurcumin from tetrahydrocurcumin. The different activity between raceme and meso-octahydrocurcumin was not found in our experiments.
BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)