Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah Benthien, Beate Fresenborg, Linda Paetzold, Mohamed Ibrahem Elhawy, Sylvaine Huc-Brandt, Christoph Beisswenger, Gabriela Krasteva-Christ, Soren L. Becker, Virginie Molle, Johannes K. Knobloch, Markus Bischoff
Summary: This study reveals the essential role of SpoVG in the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis on artificial surfaces. SpoVG promotes biofilm formation by modulating the expression of ica genes. However, SpoVG is largely dispensable for biofilm formation of this skin commensal under in vivo conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Davide Carcione, Gabriella Leccese, Gianmarco Conte, Elio Rossi, Jari Intra, Alice Bonomi, Simona Sabella, Massimo Moreo, Paolo Landini, Matteo Brilli, Moira Paroni
Summary: Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause nosocomial infections. A study conducted in an Italian hospital found that only a minority of S. epidermidis isolates displayed biofilm formation, regardless of their source. However, among the biofilm-producing isolates, those from catheters were the most efficient in biofilm formation. Interestingly, the production levels of PIA, the main extracellular polysaccharide of S. epidermidis, were similar in most isolates, including strong biofilm producers, compared to reference strains classified as non-biofilm formers. This suggests that high levels of PIA production may not confer a particular advantage for clinical isolates. The study also found that the correlation between biofilm production and decreased antibiotic sensitivity differed among the clinical isolates.
Article
Immunology
Fernando Oliveira, Holger Rohde, Manuel Vilanova, Nuno Cerca
Summary: Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important commensal microorganism on human skin and mucosae, yet it can also cause severe infections in immunocompromised patients. Its ability to form biofilms makes infections difficult to treat. Research suggests that the bacterium's dependence on iron plays a key role in its pathogenicity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Samane Rahmdel, Friedrich Goetz
Summary: The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is mainly composed of corneocytes which protect the body from desiccation. Despite being a hostile environment for microorganisms, the skin is colonized by commensal microbes.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Akio Chiba, Masahide Seki, Yutaka Suzuki, Yuki Kinjo, Yoshimitsu Mizunoe, Shinya Sugimoto
Summary: The study reveals the contribution of RNA to the structural integrity of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. The primary source of RNA in the biofilm matrix was found to be the culture medium, and polysaccharides were critical for capturing and stabilizing external RNA, contributing to biofilm formation and organization.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Aubin Souche, Camille Kolenda, Jordan Teoli, Raymond Schuch, Tristan Ferry, Frederic Laurent, Jerome Josse
Summary: This study evaluated the activity of the lysin exebacase against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. It found that exebacase significantly reduced the biomass and bacterial count of S. epidermidis biofilms, and exhibited synergistic effects with rifampicin, vancomycin, or daptomycin. These findings suggest that exebacase could be a promising therapy for prosthetic joint infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Kai Huang, Bingyuan Lin, Yiyang Liu, Haiyong Ren, Qiaofeng Guo
Summary: Bacterial biofilm plays a crucial role in the formation of chronic osteomyelitis, providing protection and enhanced antibiotic resistance for bacteria, leading to recurrent infections that are difficult to eradicate. Therefore, studying prevention and treatment strategies targeting bacterial biofilm is of great importance in the clinical management of chronic osteomyelitis.
STEM CELLS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anna Both, Jiabin Huang, Minyue Qi, Christian Lausmann, Samira Weisselberg, Henning Buttner, Susanne Lezius, Antonio Virgilio Failla, Martin Christner, Marc Stegger, Thorsten Gehrke, Sharmin Baig, Mustafa Citak, Malik Alawi, Martin Aepfelbacher, Holger Rohde
Summary: S. epidermidis demonstrates multifactorial processes of infection adaptation, including intra-clonal heterogeneity, mutations and deletions in specific genes, and enhanced biofilm formation. This adaptive process allows invasive S. epidermidis to survive in hostile environments and progress to chronic implant-associated infections.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Feng Jiang, Yingjia Chen, Jinlong Yu, Feiyang Zhang, Qian Liu, Lei He, Hamushan Musha, Jiafei Du, Boyong Wang, Pei Han, Xiaohua Chen, Jin Tang, Min Li, Hao Shen
Summary: Implant-associated infections caused by S. aureus pose serious challenges after orthopedic surgery. Due to biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, finding drugs to attenuate bacterial virulence is a rational alternative strategy. Through structure-based virtual screening, fenoprofen, an FDA-approved NSAID, was identified as a potent inhibitor of the response regulator SaeR protein. Fenoprofen attenuated S. aureus virulence without drug resistance, relieved osteolysis, and restored walking ability in mice, while also suppressing biofilm formation and altering its structure to increase vulnerability to leukocyte infiltration and elimination. These findings highlight the potential clinical value of fenoprofen as an antivirulence agent and SaeR as a drug target against S. aureus implant-associated infections.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
M. Pinto, V Borges, M. Nascimento, F. Martins, M. A. Pessanha, I Faria, J. Rodrigues, R. Matias, J. P. Gomes, L. Jordao
Summary: This study aimed to identify the major causative agents of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and investigate their antimicrobial resistance and colonization ability. The study found that staphylococci were the most prevalent causative agents, but there was no significant association between biofilm formation and bloodstream infection.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernando Oliveira, Holger Rohde, Manuel Vilanova, Nuno Cerca
Summary: Recent advances have shed light on the possible association between iron and biofilm formation, as well as how siderophore-mediated iron acquisition may impact the virulence of important nosocomial pathogens.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Arthika Manoharan, Jessica Farrell, Vina R. Aldilla, Greg Whiteley, Erik Kriel, Trevor Glasbey, Naresh Kumar, Kate H. Moore, Jim Manos, Theerthankar Das
Summary: This study demonstrates the functionality of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a urease inhibitor in preventing catheter occlusion. It also highlights the strong anti-inflammatory and antibiofilm activity of NAC, which can target both bacterial and host factors in the treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs).
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Johanna Stamm, Samira Weisselberg, Anna Both, Antonio Virgilio Failla, Gerhard Nordholt, Henning Buettner, Stefan Linder, Martin Aepfelbacher, Holger Rohde
Summary: This study explores the effect of growth media on the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis. By utilizing an artificial synovial fluid (ASF) medium that mimics the conditions encountered during host invasion, the researchers found that ASF induces the formation of biofilm and cluster in S. epidermidis. Gene expression analysis also revealed changes in the expression of genes related to adhesion and autolysis. These findings suggest the importance of using growth media that mimic host environments for future studies on the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis prosthetic joint infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Pornpimol Phuengmaung, Wimonrat Panpetch, Uthaibhorn Singkham-In, Tanittha Chatsuwan, Chintana Chirathaworn, Asada Leelahavanichkul
Summary: SE > CT biofilms prominently induced biofilm matrix, fungemia, macrophage responses, and sepsis severity, whereas the microbial burdens were lower than in the single-organism biofilms. All biofilms were attenuated by l-cysteine.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fernando Oliveira, Tania Lima, Alexandra Correia, Ana Margarida Silva, Cristina Soares, Simone Morais, Samira Weisselberg, Manuel Vilanova, Holger Rohde, Nuno Cerca
Summary: This study addressed for the first time the underlying mechanisms of siderophore production in Staphylococcus epidermidis, highlighting the importance of siderophore-mediated iron acquisition under host relevant conditions and its contribution to survival within the host.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pauline E. Schneeberger, Sheela Nampoothiri, Tess Holling, Dhanya Yesodharan, Malik Alawi, A. S. Knisely, Thomas Mueller, Barbara Plecko, Andreas R. Janecke, Kerstin Kutsche
Summary: GARP and EARP are membrane-tethering heterotetramers located at the trans-Golgi network and recycling endosomes, mediating retrograde transport and endocytic recycling. Patients with VPS50 variants exhibit severe developmental delay, microcephaly, seizures, and liver abnormalities.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Leonie von Elsner, Guoliang Chai, Pauline E. Schneeberger, Frederike L. Harms, Christian Casar, Minyue Qi, Malik Alawi, Ghada M. H. Abdel-Salam, Maha S. Zaki, Florian Arndt, Xiaoxu Yang, Valentina Stanley, Maja Hempel, Joseph G. Gleeson, Kerstin Kutsche
Summary: The peripheral protein FRA10AC1 of the spliceosomal C complex plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, with mutations potentially leading to intellectual disabilities and other symptoms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tess Holling, Sheela Nampoothiri, Bedirhan Tarhan, Pauline E. Schneeberger, Kollencheri Puthenveettil Vinayan, Dhanya Yesodharan, Arun Grace Roy, Periyasamy Radhakrishnan, Malik Alawi, Lindsay Rhodes, Katta Mohan Girisha, Peter B. Kang, Kerstin Kutsche
Summary: The SMVT transporter plays an important role in the uptake of biotin, pantothenic acid, alpha-lipoic acid, and iodide. Variants in the SLC5A6 gene can result in multisystemic disorders with symptoms such as developmental delay, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems. This study expands the phenotypic spectrum of SLC5A6 variants by identifying motor neuropathies in affected individuals. Targeted therapeutic interventions have shown clinical improvement in most patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annika Bub, Santra Brenna, Malik Alawi, Paul Kugler, Yuqi Gui, Oliver Kretz, Hermann Altmeppen, Tim Magnus, Berta Puig
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed structures that serve as a means of cell-to-cell communication, disease biomarkers, and therapeutic tools. This study analyzed the mRNA content of brain-derived EVs (BDEVs) from mice with experimental stroke, finding that the mRNA cargo of BDEVs may participate in inflammatory and recovery processes. These findings enhance our understanding of stroke mechanisms and potential treatments.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Michael Bockmayr, Kim Harnisch, Lara C. Pohl, Leonille Schweizer, Theresa Mohme, Meik Korner, Malik Alawi, Abigail K. Suwala, Mario M. Dorostkar, Camelia M. Monoranu, Martin Hasselblatt, Annika K. Wefers, David Capper, Juergen Hench, Stephan Frank, Timothy E. Richardson, Ivy Tran, Elisa Liu, Matija Snuderl, Lara Engertsberger, Martin Benesch, Andreas von Deimling, Denise Obrecht, Martin Mynarek, Stefan Rutkowski, Markus Glatzel, Julia E. Neumann, Ulrich Schueller
Summary: This study identified two molecular subtypes, MPE-A and MPE-B, of myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) based on DNA methylation profiling, and found significant differences in progression-free survival between the two subtypes. MPE-A subtype is characterized by younger age, specific tumor morphology, and high methylation level, with a higher relapse rate. MPE-B subtype, on the other hand, has older age, better prognosis, and lower relapse rate.
Article
Oncology
Franz L. Ricklefs, Cecile L. Maire, Kathrin Wollmann, Lasse Duehrsen, Krystian D. Fita, Felix Sahm, Christel Herold-Mende, Andreas von Deimling, Katharina Kolbe, Mareike Holz, Leonie Bergmann, Marceline M. Fuh, Hartmut Schlueter, Malik Alawi, Rudolph Reimer, Peine Sven, Markus Glatzel, Manfred Westphal, Katrin Lamszus
Summary: Elevated levels of EVs in the plasma of meningioma patients could assist in tumor diagnosis and evaluation of treatment response. Analysis of EV-DNA methylation and proteomic profiling revealed genetic and epigenetic tumor alterations, facilitating molecular tumor classification.
Letter
Oncology
Paula Moeker, Udo zur Stadt, Martin Zimmermann, Malik Alawi, Stephanie Mueller, Jasmin Finger, Fabian Knoerr, Amambay Riquelme, Ilske Oschlies, Wolfram Klapper, Jutta Bradtke, Birgit Burkhardt, Wilhelm Woessmann, Christine Damm-Welk
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven Schepanski, Mattia Chini, Veronika Sternemann, Christopher Urbschat, Kristin Thiele, Ting Sun, Yu Zhao, Mareike Poburski, Anna Woestemeier, Marie-Theres Thieme, Dimitra E. Zazara, Malik Alawi, Nicole Fischer, Joerg Heeren, Nikita Vladimirov, Andrew Woehler, Victor G. Puelles, Stefan Bonn, Nicola Gagliani, Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz, Petra C. Arck
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of maternal cells in fetal brain development. Maternal microchimeric cells (MMc) express specific markers, control microglia homeostasis, prevent excessive synaptic elimination, and support the maturation of behavioral abilities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yekaterina Astafyeva, Marno Gurschke, Minyue Qi, Lutgardis Bergmann, Daniela Indenbirken, Imke de Grahl, Elena Katzowitsch, Sigrun Reumann, Dieter Hanelt, Malik Alawi, Wolfgang R. Streit, Ines Krohn
Summary: This study provides a detailed insight into the mutualistic collaboration between microalgae and bacteria, including the competitive interplay among bacteria. The experimental evidence suggests that Gram-negative bacteria of the Dyadobacter, Porphyrobacter, and Variovorax genera play key roles in the interaction between Scenedesmus quadricauda and bacteria. It is shown that Dyadobacter produces and releases polysaccharide degradation enzymes and leucine-rich repeat proteins; Variovorax supplies the consortium with auxins and vitamin B12, while Porphyrobacter produces a wide range of B vitamins. The study not only demonstrates the collaboration between microalgae and bacteria, but also the interaction among bacteria through quorum-sensing and secretion system mechanisms. The shared currency between partners appears to be vitamins, microalgae growth-promoting substances, and dissolved carbon.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christiane K. Bauer, Tess Holling, Denise Horn, Mario Noro Laco, Ebtesam Abdalla, Omneya Magdy Omar, Malik Alawi, Kerstin Kutsche
Summary: Dominant variants of KCNQ1 are well-known to cause cardiac arrhythmia syndromes. This study identified two heterozygous missense variants of KCNQ1, R116L and P369L, that lead to pituitary hormone deficiency and maternally inherited gingival fibromatosis. Patch-clamp experiments showed increased constitutive K+ conductance of V185M-Q1E2 channels, confirming the pathogenicity of the novel variant. Manipulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration revealed impaired Ca2+ sensitivity of the mutant KCNQ1 channels, providing insight into the pathomechanism. The study suggests a link between impaired Ca2+ sensitivity and Q1E2 gain-of-function in certain KCNQ1 channelopathies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gunhild von Amsberg, Mirjam Zilles, Wael Mansour, Philipp Gild, Winfried Alsdorf, Moritz Kaune, Lukas Boeckelmann, Jessica Hauschild, Christoph Krisp, Tina Rohlfing, Ceren Saygi, Malik Alawi, Alexandra Zielinski, Claudia Langebrake, Su Jung Oh-Hohenhorst, Sven Perner, Derya Tilki, Hartmut Schlueter, Markus Graefen, Sergey A. Dyshlovoy, Carsten Bokemeyer
Summary: The salvage chemotherapy regimen TIP has shown promising efficacy in intensively pretreated aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC) patients. Preclinical data indicate a pivotal role for cisplatin in overcoming docetaxel resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Mohamed E. Elsesy, Su Jung Oh-Hohenhorst, Christoph Oing, Alicia Eckhardt, Susanne Burdak-Rothkamm, Malik Alawi, Christian Mueller, Ulrich Schueller, Tobias Maurer, Gunhild von Amsberg, Cordula Petersen, Kai Rothkamm, Wael Y. Mansour
Summary: This study provides preclinical models for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) that can predict homologous recombination repair (HRR) defects and the sensitivity to olaparib and cisplatin. These models recapitulate the features of primary tumors, enabling individualized drug screening for tailored therapy recommendations.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Julia Elrod, Antonia Kiwit, Moritz Lenz, Holger Rohde, Daniela Boernigen, Malik Alawi, Christoph Mohr, Laia Pagerols Raluy, Magdalena Trochimiuk, Jasmin Knopf, Konrad Reinshagen, Martin Herrmann, Michael Boettcher
Summary: This study evaluated the septic volvulus ischemia-reperfusion model and compared it to two established models in mice sepsis. The results showed that midgut volvulus for 15 minutes caused a comparable mortality rate as the other two models, and at 48 hours, there was a decrease in circulating free DNA levels and an increase in bacterial translocation to the spleen/liver and lungs. In addition, DNases were increased in this model compared to the established models. Proteomic analysis revealed an upregulation of several markers of inflammation and tissue damage at 48 hours. Overall, this study demonstrates that midgut volvulus is a stable and physiological model for studying sepsis.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Ibrahim M. Abdelrazek, Tess Holling, Frederike L. Harms, Malik Alawi, Tarek Omar, Ebtesam Abdalla, Kerstin Kutsche
Summary: This article reports two cases of Egyptian patients with a phenotype suggestive of craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and impaired intellectual development syndrome-1 (CFSMR1). Both patients carried a homozygous TMCO1 variant and exhibited some rare clinical features such as hearing loss and syndactyly. Analysis of previously reported patients revealed different TMCO1 variants. It was found that TMCO1 may play important roles in Ca2+ channels and mitochondria, and the heterodimerization of TMCO1 and RAB5IF/C20orf24 may explain the pathophysiological role of ER-mitochondria interaction in CFSMR.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Laura Hecher, Frederike L. L. Harms, Jasmin Lisfeld, Malik Alawi, Jonas Denecke, Kerstin Kutsche
Summary: Type I inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase (INPP4A) controls cell proliferation, apoptosis, and endosome function. Mutations in INPP4A can cause neurodevelopmental disorders. We report a girl with a novel homozygous INPP4A variant and determine the subcellular distributions of different INPP4A isoforms. Our data suggests the important function of INPP4A isoforms in the brain.