Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kimberly A. Barker, Neelou S. Etesami, Anukul T. Shenoy, Emad I. Arafa, Carolina Lyon de Ana, Nicole M. S. Smith, Ian M. C. Martin, Wesley N. Goltry, Alexander M. S. Barron, Jeffrey L. Browning, Hasmeena Kathuria, Anna C. Belkina, Antoine Guillon, Xuemei Zhong, Nicholas A. Crossland, Matthew R. Jones, Lee J. Quinton, Joseph P. Mizgerd
Summary: The study found that lung-resident memory B cells play a crucial role in lung immunity, quickly producing antibodies after infection to help clear pathogens. These cells are elicited in mice after pneumococcal infections, are present in human lungs, and are involved in pulmonary antibacterial immunity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiaqi Xuan, Weiguo Feng, Jiaye Wang, Ruichen Wang, Bowen Zhang, Letao Bo, Zhe-Sheng Chen, Hui Yang, Leming Sun
Summary: The long-term use of antibiotics leading to drug resistance has become a major concern. As the problem worsens, infections caused by multiple bacteria are increasing rapidly and posing serious threats to human health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics as they exhibit strong antimicrobial activity and unique mechanisms against drug-resistant bacterial infections. Current research on AMPs focuses on integrating new technologies, such as modifying the amino acid structure and exploring different delivery methods. This article provides valuable insights into the properties, mechanisms, and advancements of AMPs in combating drug-resistant bacterial infections.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emily M. Kibby, Amy N. Conte, A. Maxwell Burroughs, Toni A. Nagy, Jose A. Vargas, Lindsay A. Whalen, L. Aravind, Aaron T. Whiteley
Summary: Bacteria possess immune systems that can counter phage infection, and certain genes involved in these systems are similar to those found in eukaryotes, suggesting horizontal gene transfer. This study shows that bacteria also have proteins containing a NACHT module which defend against phages, and these proteins share similarities with human NLRs, indicating a shared signaling mechanism. The presence of NACHT module-containing proteins in bacteria establishes their ancient role as mediators of innate immunity.
Article
Ecology
Rebekka S. Janke, Filip Kaftan, Sarah P. Niehs, Kirstin Scherlach, Andre Rodrigues, Ales Svatos, Christian Hertweck, Martin Kaltenpoth, Laura V. Florez
Summary: The cuticle is the first line of defense against predators and pathogens in invertebrates. In this study, it was found that the beetle Lagria villosa harbors bacterial symbionts in unique dorsal invaginations of its cuticle, which release protective compounds during molting and provide extended defense against fungi during larval development. One dominant bacterial strain, producing an antifungal compound called lagriamide, plays a crucial role in protecting the beetle from pathogenic fungi at all life stages.
Article
Cell Biology
Matthew D. Martin, Cara Skon-Hegg, Caleb Y. Kim, Julie Xu, Tamara A. Kucaba, Whitney Swanson, Mark J. Pierson, Jesse W. Williams, Vladimir P. Badovinac, Steven S. Shen, Molly A. Ingersoll, Thomas S. Griffith
Summary: Co housed mice exhibit significant resistance to monomicrobial sepsis caused by UPEC, while showing increased morbidity and mortality to polymicrobial sepsis or lipopolysaccharide challenge. CD115+ monocytes mediate protection in co housed mice, and increased production of TNF-a, skewing toward Ly6ChiCD115+ classical monocytes, and enhanced egress of Ly6ChiCD115+ monocytes from the bone marrow may contribute to the enhanced immune response.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maochao Zheng, Xiaolei Wu, Chao Lu, Wancong Zhang, Shijie Tang, Ying Luo, Daojun Liu
Summary: The development of alternative antimicrobial therapeutics is needed due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens. Polypept(o)ide-based bactericides, which mimic antimicrobial host defense peptides, have shown promise in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant and recurring infections. This review summarizes recent advances in membrane-active polypept(o)ide-based bactericides, focusing on their ability to disrupt bacterial cell walls/membranes and combat acquired antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Jianhong Ouyang, Yiyun Zhu, Weijing Hao, Xia Wang, Huaixin Yang, Xinyi Deng, Tingting Feng, Yong Huang, Haining Yu, Yipeng Wang
Summary: In this study, three host defense peptides (HDPs) exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against aquatic pathogenic bacteria and effectively modulated anti-infective immune responses in largemouth bass. They also showed potential in combating biofilm-related infections and significantly enhancing the survival rate of bacteria-challenged largemouth bass while decreasing bacterial resistance compared to conventional antibiotics. These results suggest the promising use of these HDPs as novel anti-infective agents in largemouth bass culture.
Article
Immunology
Natasha M. Kafai, Lauren E. Williamson, Elad Binshtein, Soila Sukupolvi-Petty, Christina L. Gardner, Jaclyn Liu, Samantha Mackin, Arthur S. Kim, Nurgun Kose, Robert H. Carnahan, Ana Jung, Lindsay Droit, Douglas S. Reed, Scott A. Handley, William B. Klimstra, James E. Crowe, Michael S. Diamond
Summary: This study reveals the functional and structural mechanisms of neutralizing antibodies against Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and suggests the possibility of targeting multiple antigenic sites for vaccine or antibody-based therapeutic development.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhidong Zhou, Mingxuan Kai, Shuyan Wang, Dan Wang, Yifei Peng, Yiyan Yu, Weiwei Gao, Liangfang Zhang
Summary: The rise of antibiotic resistance has led to the search for novel and effective antibacterial therapeutics in nanomedicine. The first-generation antibacterial nanoparticles have improved drug tolerability, circulation half-life, and efficacy. Researchers are now focusing on developing next-generation antibacterial nanoparticles with design elements emphasizing physical, broad-spectrum, biomimetic, and antivirulence mechanisms. This review highlights four emerging designs: inorganic antibacterial nanoparticles, responsive antibacterial nanocarriers, virulence nanoscavengers, and antivirulence nanovaccines, which provide new approaches for overcoming antibiotic resistance and achieving more effective antibacterial therapy.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Xucheng Huang, Guoli Li
Summary: The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been increasing rapidly, posing a significant obstacle to infectious disease treatment. Finding new medicines to combat the global rise of AMR is crucial. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which target membranes, show promise as antibiotic substitutes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive introduction to the advancement of research on AMPs and CPPs, including their classification, mechanism of action, current application status, limitations, and optimization.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammad Abavisani, Reza Khayami, Melika Hoseinzadeh, Mansoor Kodori, Prashant Kesharwani, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: The increasing global trends of antibiotic resistance (AR) and its destructive impact on patients and healthcare systems underscore the need for new strategies. Understanding bacterial resistance mechanisms and accurate diagnosis can enhance the effectiveness of novel strategies. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) is a significant factor in disseminating AR. The CRISPR-Cas system, as part of the bacterial immune system, shows promise in removing ARGs and presents an innovative strategy in the battle against antibiotic resistance.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yaremis Merino-Cabrera, Jose Severiche Castro, Rafael de Almeida Barros, Neilier Rodrigues da Silva Junior, Humberto de Oliveira Ramos, Maria Goreti de Almeida Oliveira
Summary: The design and production of molecules that mimic protein inhibitors could be a promising strategy for managing pests. In this study, the effect of arginine-containing dipeptides on the gut trypsin function in Anticarsia gemmatalis larvae was investigated. It was found that these dipeptides have a higher affinity for the trypsin active site compared to lysine-containing peptides, resulting in inhibition of trypsin activity and reduced survival and weight of the larvae.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhiqiang Lu, Renzhi Lv, Liu Dong, Dong Chen, Songyi Lin
Summary: This study demonstrated that sea cucumber peptides (SCP) can protect against memory impairment by improving synaptic plasticity and regulating dopamine/serotonin metabolism via the TH/VMAT2 pathway, as shown through behavioral tests and proteomics analysis.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pratap A. Divekar, Vijaya Rani, Sujan Majumder, Suhas Gorakh Karkute, Kutubuddin A. Molla, Koshlendra Kumar Pandey, Tusar Kanti Behera, Guru-Pirasanna-Pandi Govindharaj
Summary: Plants have developed defense mechanisms, including the production of protease inhibitors, to protect themselves against herbivores. However, insects have adapted to these inhibitors, rendering them ineffective. Understanding the gene regulation of proteases in herbivore insects can aid in the development of alternative pest management strategies.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Virology
Feng Chen, Xingjun Cheng, Jianbo Li, Xiefang Yuan, Xiuhua Huang, Mao Lian, Wenfang Li, Tianfang Huang, Yaliu Xie, Jie Liu, Pan Gao, Xiawei Wei, Zhenling Wang, Min Wu
Summary: This study isolated and characterized lytic phages specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa from various environments and identified therapeutic phages with broad host ranges capable of lysing both laboratory strains and clinical isolates of MDR P. aeruginosa in vitro and in mouse models. Through genome sequencing and computational analysis, critical genetic traits related to high-level broad-host-range coverages were analyzed. These novel phages show potential for further development as therapeutic options against patients who fail to respond to conventional treatments.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)