Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathalie Coutry, Julie Nguyen, Salima Soualhi, Francois Gerbe, Victoria Meslier, Valerie Dardalhon, Mathieu Almeida, Benoit Quinquis, Florence Thirion, Fabien Herbert, Imene Gasmi, Ali Lamrani, Alicia Giordano, Pierre Cesses, Laure Garnier, Steeve Thirard, Denis Greuet, Chantal Cazevieille, Florence Bernex, Christelle Bressuire, Douglas Winton, Ichiro Matsumoto, Herve M. Naomi And, Naomi Taylor, Philippe Jay
Summary: Imbalance of gut microbiota is associated with pathological conditions. We propose a three-step mechanism for dysbiosis initiation, involving Paneth cell dysfunction, activation of epithelial tuft cells, and chronic inflammation. Paneth cells play an essential role in maintaining a balanced microbiota and preventing dysbiosis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Brittany M. Miller, Andreas J. Baumler
Summary: An imbalance in the microbiota can lead to human illnesses, prompting efforts to rebalance it by targeting the microbes themselves. However, the host influences microbial growth by providing a habitat, suggesting that targeting the immune system for rebalancing the microbiota could be an alternative. Host control mechanisms shape the microbial habitat and confer colonization resistance against pathogens, with host components acting as habitat filters that select for microbial traits allowing growth and survival in host habitat patches.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY, VOL 39
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Daniela Weber, Markus Weber, Elisabeth Meedt, Sakhila Ghimire, Daniel Wolff, Matthias Edinger, Hendrik Poeck, Andreas Hiergeist, Andre Gessner, Francis Ayuk, Wolf Roesler, Matthias Woel, Sabrina Kraus, Robert Zeiser, Hannah Bertrand, Peter Bader, Evelyn Ullrich, Matthias Eder, Sigrun Gleich, Rachel Young, Wolfgang Herr, John E. Levine, James L. M. Ferrara, Ernst Holler
Summary: Intestinal microbiome diversity is crucial in acute GI GVHD and ASCT outcomes. Reg3 alpha concentration on the day of ASCT correlates with clinical data and indicators of intestinal microbiome diversity. High Reg3 alpha concentration predicts higher 1-year TRM and is an independent prognostic factor. Evaluating Reg3 alpha levels can help assess the risk for TRM in ASCT recipients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Roberto Bello-Madruga, Javier Valle, M. Angeles Jimenez, Marc Torrent, Vivian Montero-Alejo, David Andreu
Summary: Beta-defensins are a highly abundant and studied family of antimicrobial peptides. A study on a beta-defensin-like peptide (PaD) found in spiny lobsters shows that the C-terminus of the peptide is the main determinant of its antibacterial activity. Synthetic versions of PaD and its C-terminus were found to have enhanced antimicrobial activity and binding to bacterial membranes. These findings suggest that the C-terminus of PaD is a promising target for the development of novel anti-infective drugs.
Article
Fisheries
Soohyung Lee, Inkyu Yoo, Yugyeong Cheon, Minsun Hong, Bo-Young Jeon, Hakhyun Ka
Summary: Members of the beta-defensin family are expressed specifically at the maternal-conceptus interface in pigs, protecting the maternal endometrial and conceptus tissues from pathogens and regulating innate immunity to preserve fertility.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fabiola Puertolas-Balint, Bjoern O. O. Schroeder
Summary: Diet has a stronger impact on shaping the gut microbial community composition than defensins. However, defensins can modulate specific microbial taxa and protect the host from diet-induced metabolic dysfunction.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Charlotte Wallaeys, Natalia Garcia-Gonzalez, Claude Libert
Summary: Paneth cells, located in the crypts of Lieberkuhn of the small intestine, play diverse roles in maintaining intestinal health by providing niche factors, regulating microbiome composition, performing phagocytosis and efferocytosis, taking up heavy metals, and preserving barrier integrity. Dysfunctions in these functions can lead to inflammatory and infectious diseases. This review discusses the functions, mechanisms, consequences of Paneth cell dysfunction, and available tools for studying Paneth cells.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandra Fusco, Vittoria Savio, Debora Stelitano, Adone Baroni, Giovanna Donnarumma
Summary: The intestinal microbiota interacts with intestinal epithelial cells to protect the host from external environment. The anti-biofilm activity of HBD-2 and HBD-3 can inhibit biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Exploiting endogenous antimicrobial peptides as a new anti-biofilm therapy may be an interesting prospect for treating chronic and multi-drug resistant infections.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Daniel Mittli, Vanda Tukacs, Andras Micsonai, Lilla Ravasz, Jozsef Kardos, Gabor Juhasz, Katalin Adrienna Kekesi
Summary: Investigating the molecular mechanisms of direct communication between neurons and immune cells is crucial for understanding nervous system functions and diseases. This study analyzed single-cell sequencing data from mouse prefrontal cortex neurons, revealing previously unreported gene expression patterns in cortical neurons related to immune cell communication. The findings suggest the importance of further experimental studies on the neuronal expression of immune system-related genes and their potential roles in neuroimmunological processes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Chuan Xu, Annie Wang, Mariana Marin, William Honnen, Santhamani Ramasamy, Edith Porter, Selvakumar Subbian, Abraham Pinter, Gregory B. Melikyan, Wuyuan Lu, Theresa L. Chang
Summary: The study demonstrates that human defensins exhibit potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, particularly against pseudotyped viruses expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. Defensins play a crucial role in blocking viral entry into cells and providing protection against infection. They may serve as useful additives to the antivirus arsenal.
Article
Microbiology
Douglas T. Akahoshi, Dean E. Natwick, Weirong Yuan, Wuyuan Lu, Sean R. Collins, Charles L. Bevins
Summary: Human alpha-defensin 6 (HD6), secreted by Paneth cells of the small intestine, protects against microbes by binding to bacterial surface proteins and self-assembling into fibers and nets, inhibiting flagellar motility. The ability of HD6 to self-assemble is crucial for targeting and restricting bacterial flagellar motility.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Laila N. Shwaiki, Elke K. Arendt, Kieran M. Lynch
Summary: The modern approach to food preservation involves various hurdles for microbial pathogens to overcome, including thermal processes, chemical additives, irradiation, and modified atmosphere packaging. Plant compounds and peptides, particularly antimicrobial peptides, show promise as novel natural food preservatives. Further studies are needed to fully explore their potential in reducing food losses and waste.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nancy Oguiura, Poliana Garcia Correa, Isabella Lemos Rosmino, Ana Olivia de Souza, Kerly Fernanda Mesquita Pasqualoto
Summary: This study discovered beta-defensin genes in Brazilian snakes and tested the antimicrobial and antifungal activity of their synthetic peptides. The results showed that these beta-defensins have moderate antibacterial activity against certain bacteria, but weak antifungal properties. Additionally, the presence of tryptophan residue is necessary for improved antibacterial activity. The study concludes that snake beta-defensins could be potential template molecules for antibiotic development.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rindala Saliba, Assaf Mizrahi, Pean de Ponfilly Gauthier, Le Monnier Alban, Jean-Ralph Zahar, Benoit Pilmis
Summary: Overconsumption of antibiotics in hospitals has led to policy implementation, but the impact of these policies on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance remains uncertain. Some studies have shown that many resistance mechanisms existed before the discovery of antibiotics, and the overuse of antibiotics has worsened the resistance phenomenon. The complexity of the intestinal microbiota composition and other factors suggest that de-escalation may not be the solution to limit the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Atul Tyagi, Sudeep Roy, Sanjay Singh, Manoj Semwal, Ajit K. Shasany, Ashok Sharma, Ivo Provaznik
Summary: The study team developed an SVM-based model for designing and predicting plant-derived antifungal peptides. The analysis showed preferences for C, G, K, R, S in amino acid sequences, with G, K, R, A dominating the N-terminal and N, S, C, G preferring the C-terminal. Motif analysis revealed the presence of motifs like NYVF, NYVFP, YVFP, NYVFPA, VFPA.
Article
Immunology
Daniel C. Lee, Anchasa Kananurak, Michelle T. N. Tran, Patricia A. Connolly, Christopher R. Polage, Tadayuki Iwase, Charles L. Bevins, Mark A. Underwood
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Valerie T. Ramirez, Dayn R. Godinez, Ingrid Brust-Mascher, Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Mariana Barboza Gardner, Diane Tu, Jessica A. Sladek, Elaine N. Miller, Carlito B. Lebrilla, Charles L. Bevins, Melanie G. Gareau, Colin Reardon
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mark A. Underwood, Sagori Mukhopadhyay, Satyan Lakshminrusimha, Charles L. Bevins
JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
(2020)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Thanh Kha Phan, Charles L. Bevins, Mark D. Hulett
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisabeth E. L. Nystrom, Beatriz Martinez-Abad, Liisa Arike, George M. H. Birchenough, Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Frida Svensson, Charles L. Bevins, Gunnar C. Hansson, Malin E. Johansson
Summary: Intestinal goblet cells are not homogeneous, with several distinct subtypes forming two differentiation trajectories. Intercrypt goblet cells located at the colonic luminal surface produce mucus with different properties from crypt-residing goblet cells. Defective icGCs in mice lead to increased sensitivity to chemically induced colitis and spontaneous colitis with age, while alterations in mucus and reduced numbers of icGCs are observed in patients with ulcerative colitis, highlighting the importance of icGCs in maintaining functional epithelial protection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Amanda E. Dugan, Faisal Almalki, Mark A. Underwood, Carol A. De La Motte, Weirong Yuan, Wuyuan Lu, Bo Shen, Malin E. V. Johansson, Laura L. Kiessling, Edward J. Hollox, Bo Loennerdal, Charles L. Bevins
Summary: The study found that certain SNPs at the ITLN1 locus were associated with Crohn's disease (CD), with risk haplotypes differing in allele frequency between European and African populations. However, the expression levels and glycan binding properties of ITLN1 in intestinal tissue were not affected by these SNPs, suggesting that the genetic risk for CD may be related to changes in other genes or proteins.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Faisal Almalki, Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Alex Bevin-Holder, Kristian K. Ullrich, Bo Lonnerdal, Linda Odenthal-Hesse, Charles L. Bevins, Edward J. Hollox
Summary: Intelectins are a family of secreted proteins that bind microbe-specific glycans, playing a crucial role in innate immunity and the etiology of various human diseases. While human Intelectin-1 has multiple orthologues in mice, Intelectin-2 does not, presenting a challenge in studying their role in disease using mouse models. Laboratory mouse strains exhibit extensive diversity in intelectin genes, with some strains having a full complement of six genes while others have large deletions resulting in retention of only one gene. Wild mice also show polymorphic intelectin deletions, suggesting a pattern of birth-and-death evolution in these genes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Malin E. Johansson, Edward J. Hollox, Bo Shen, Bo Lonnerdal, Charles L. Bevins
Summary: This study investigates the differences between ITLN2 and ITLN1 in terms of their structure and expression characteristics. It reveals that ITLN2 is a highly abundant Paneth cell-specific product in the small intestine, and its expression is downregulated in Crohn's disease. ITLN2 mRNA expression is undetectable in control colon tissue, but metaplastic Paneth cells express ITLN2 in both ulcerative colitis and colonic Crohn's disease.
Review
Immunology
Douglas T. Akahoshi, Charles L. Bevins
Summary: Bacteria and other microbes use flagella for locomotion, which brings advantages to the host but also poses threats. The host has developed various immune countermeasures to target and mitigate flagellar threats, including maintaining mucosal structure, molecular recognition, and secretion of effector molecules that inhibit flagellar motility. Studies on flagella are not limited to pathogenic bacteria, but also involve the interaction with flagellated members of the commensal microbiota during homeostasis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xiaopeng Wu, Achia Khatun, Moujtaba Y. Kasmani, Yao Chen, Shikan Zheng, Samantha Atkinson, Christine Nguyen, Robert Burns, Elizabeth J. Taparowsky, Nita H. Salzman, Timothy W. Hand, Weiguo Cui
Summary: This study reveals that BATF is a key factor in maintaining the stability of ILC3s in the gut and in coordinating ILC3-mediated control of intestinal homeostasis. Depletion of BATF in ILC3s leads to excessive interferon-gamma production, dysbiosis, aberrant T cell immune responses, and spontaneous inflammatory bowel disease.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Eric B. Nonnecke, Patricia A. Castillo, Douglas T. Akahoshi, Stephanie M. Goley, Charles L. Bevins, Bo Lonnerdal
Summary: Intelectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that play a role in innate immunity. They are highly conserved across chordate evolution. Human ITLN1 is abundant in the intestinal mucosa and binds microbial glycans. Mutations in ITLN1 have been linked to susceptibility for diseases like Crohn's disease. Using a mouse model, researchers found that mouse Itln1 is expressed in Paneth cells and may play a minor role in chemically induced colitis or diet-induced obesity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ruyi Wang, Shijie Cao, Mohamed Elfatih H. Bashir, Lauren A. Hesser, Yanlin Su, Sung Min Choi Hong, Andrew Thompson, Elliot Culleen, Matthew Sabados, Nicholas P. Dylla, Evelyn Campbell, Riyue Bao, Eric B. Nonnecke, Charles L. Bevins, D. Scott Wilson, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Cathryn R. Nagler
Summary: The depletion of beneficial taxa in the gut, including butyrate-producing Clostridia, has led to the increase in food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease. By delivering butyrate-releasing micelles to the intestinal tract, barrier-protective responses can be restored, reducing disease severity in mouse models of colitis and peanut allergy. This approach can potentially treat allergic and inflammatory diseases by restoring microbial and mucosal homeostasis.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Douglas T. Akahoshi, Dean E. Natwick, Weirong Yuan, Wuyuan Lu, Sean R. Collins, Charles L. Bevins
Summary: Human alpha-defensin 6 (HD6), secreted by Paneth cells of the small intestine, protects against microbes by binding to bacterial surface proteins and self-assembling into fibers and nets, inhibiting flagellar motility. The ability of HD6 to self-assemble is crucial for targeting and restricting bacterial flagellar motility.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tatsuya Dokoshi, Jason S. Seidman, Kellen J. Cavagnero, Fengwu Li, Marc C. Liggins, Bryn C. Taylor, Jocelyn Olvera, Rob Knight, John T. Chang, Nita H. Salzman, Richard L. Gallo
Summary: This study revealed that intestinal inflammation can promote the differentiation of intestinal stromal fibroblasts into preadipocytes with innate antimicrobial activity, and this process may be exacerbated by skin inflammation in mice. The activation of hyaluronan catabolism during skin injury was found to alter colon fibroblast function and promote excessive reactive adipogenesis, linking skin and colon inflammation through the release of hyaluronan.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Doug T. Akahoshi, Dean E. Natwick, Sean R. Collins, Charles L. Bevins
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
