Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Donghui Zhang, Chao Shi, Zihao Cong, Qi Chen, Yufang Bi, Junyu Zhang, Kaiqian Ma, Shiqi Liu, Jiawei Gu, Minzhang Chen, Ziyi Lu, Haodong Zhang, Jiayang Xie, Ximian Xiao, Longqiang Liu, Weinan Jiang, Ning Shao, Sheng Chen, Min Zhou, Xiaoyan Shao, Yidong Dai, Maoquan Li, Lixin Zhang, Runhui Liu
Summary: With the quick increase of serious invasive fungal infections and the limited antifungal drugs available, there is an urgent need for potent and selective antifungal agents. Inspired by microbial metabolites, the authors have designed and obtained poly(DL-diaminopropionic acid) (PDAP), a potent antifungal agent that kills fungal cells by penetrating the cytoplasm, generating reactive oxygen, and inducing fungal apoptosis. PDAP displays strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans, negligible hemolysis and cytotoxicity, and no susceptibility to antifungal resistance. In addition, PDAP effectively inhibits fungal biofilm formation and eradicates mature biofilms. In vivo studies have shown that PDAP is safe and effective in treating fungal keratitis, highlighting its potential as a promising new antifungal agent.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sergio Mallart, Raffaele Ingenito, Elisabetta Bianchi, Alberto Bresciani, Simone Esposito, Mariana Gallo, Paola Magotti, Edith Monteagudo, Laura Orsatti, Daniela Roversi, Alessia Santoprete, Federica Tucci, Maria Veneziano, Regine Bartsch, Claudius Boehm, Denis Brasseur, Patricia Bruneau, Alain Corbier, Jacques Froissant, Laurence Gauzy-Lazo, Vincent Gervat, Frank Marguet, Isabelle Menguy, Claire Minoletti, Marie-Francoise Nicolas, Olivier Pasquier, Bruno Poirier, Alexandre Raux, Laurence Riva, Philip Janiak, Hartmut Strobel, Olivier Duclos, Stephane Illiano
Summary: This study involves the development of long-acting potent single-chain relaxin peptide mimetics by modifying the B-chain of relaxin, introducing specific mutations and trimming the sequence to an optimal size. These modifications resulted in potent, structurally simplified peptide agonists of the relaxin receptor RXFP1, with high subcutaneous bioavailability and extended half-lives, showing in vivo efficacy.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhongqian Qiao, Wenjing Zhang, Yueming Wu, Weinan Jiang, Ning Shao, Jiayang Xie, Guixue Xia, Qimeng Chen, Zhefeng Liu, Jingcheng Zou, Jiawei Gu, Shifang Luan, Haodong Lin, Runhui Liu
Summary: Wound infections are a significant health issue caused by the invasion and spread of pathogens in wound sites. However, antibiotic resistance, particularly in MRSA, has made it challenging to treat these infections. To address MRSA-infected wounds, an antibacterial peptide polymer-loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel (Gel-HA@P) has been developed. This design mimics host defense peptides, exhibiting potent antibacterial activity, low susceptibility to drug resistance, and good stability. Gel-HA@P demonstrates effective activity against MRSA, low toxicity, and promotes wound healing. This strategy provides an antibiotic-free approach for the healing of MRSA-infected wounds.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simone Vink, Kalyana Bharati Akondi, Jean Jin, Kim Poth, Allan M. Torres, Philip W. Kuchel, Sandra L. Burke, Geoffrey A. Head, Paul F. Alewood
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension, are a leading cause of mortality, affecting over 1.3 billion people. Snake venoms contain natriuretic peptides that show potential for treating hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. A specific natriuretic peptide called TNPc has been found to lower blood pressure and enhance cardiac vagal reflexes without causing tachycardia.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yi Yang, Yuxin Qian, Mingxing Zhang, Shuang Hao, Hui Wang, Yongqiang Fan, Runhui Liu, Dake Xu, Fuhui Wang
Summary: This study explores the impact of hydrophobic subunit and chain length variation on the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of beta-peptide polymers. The results demonstrate that the optimal beta-peptide polymer has low toxicity towards host cells and exhibits excellent antibacterial activity and antibiofilm formation ability against Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans. Additionally, beta-peptide polymers decrease the hydrophobicity of bacterial cells and promote biofilm dispersion. Transcriptome analysis reveals that beta-peptide polymers reduce the cariogenicity of S. mutans by impacting the transcription of energy and acid metabolism-related genes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wentao Lyu, Dehui Mi, Paige N. Vinson, Yingping Xiao, Guolong Zhang
Summary: The study aimed to identify small-molecule compounds that can induce the synthesis of endogenous HDPs as novel antimicrobial agents. Through high-throughput screening, 110 compounds were identified, among which mocetinostat showed strong ability to enhance HDP gene expression and the antibacterial activity of chicken macrophages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xiujing Dou, Di Yan, Siqi Liu, Nan Gao, Ziwen Ma, Zixuan Shi, Na Dong, Anshan Shan
Summary: Host defense peptides (HDPs) are essential components of the innate immune system with antibacterial ability and immunomodulatory function. This review systematically assesses the regulation and mechanism of endogenous HDP expression from the perspectives of nutrition and disease, exploring the differences in regulation between nutrients and diseases.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Yanran Li, Qiyuan Yang, Dongjie Cai, Hongrui Guo, Jing Fang, Hengmin Cui, Liping Gou, Junliang Deng, Zhisheng Wang, Zhicai Zuo
Summary: Resistin, initially proposed as a link between obesity and diabetes in mice, is considered a pro-inflammatory molecule expressed in immune cells in humans, playing a regulatory role in chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and cancers. However, increasing evidence shows that it functions as a host defense peptide with wide-spectrum anti-microbial activity and immune modulation, limited microbial product-induced inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Min Zhou, Weinan Jiang, Jiayang Xie, Wenjing Zhang, Zhemin Ji, Jingcheng Zou, Zihao Cong, Ximian Xiao, Jiawei Gu, Runhui Liu
Summary: Poly(2-oxazoline)s exhibit excellent biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties, serving as potential substitutes for PEG in anti-biofouling applications. Recent studies have highlighted the novel antimicrobial potential of poly(2-oxazoline)s in combating drug-resistant microbial infections and antimicrobial resistance.
Article
Microbiology
Rei Ito, Yuichi Mine, Yoshie Yumisashi, Reina Yoshioka, Misa Hamaoka, Tsuyoshi Taji, Takeshi Murayama, Hiroki Nikawa
Summary: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus L8020 shows potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent against oral candidiasis, inhibiting the formation of pseudomembranous regions on the tongue and suppressing changes in the expression of pattern recognition receptors and chemokines induced by Candida albicans infection.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Carlo Baggio, Anna Kulinich, Cassandra N. Dennys, Rochelle Rodrigo, Kathrin Meyer, Iryna Ethell, Maurizio Pellecchia
Summary: The study utilized an innovative NMR-guided screening and ligand design approach to derive low-molecular-weight ligands capable of mimicking interactions elicited by ephrin ligands. These agents demonstrated nanomolar affinity, activated receptors in cellular assays with motor neurons, and provided significant motor neuron protection from ALS patient-derived astrocytes. Structural studies on the complex between the ligand-binding domain and the most active agent offered insights into the agents' mechanism at a molecular level, forming a strong foundation for potential treatment of ALS and other human diseases.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kotaro Sakamoto, Lu Chen, Tatsunori Miyaoka, Mei Yamada, Teruaki Masutani, Kenji Ishimoto, Nobumasa Hino, Shinsaku Nakagawa, Satoshi Asano, Yukio Ago
Summary: The study presents a VIPR2-selective antagonistic peptide KS-133 that may have significant implications for the treatment of schizophrenia. By countering early activation of VIPR2, it has the potential to contribute to the development of novel therapeutic drugs for schizophrenia.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lydia Verlaat, Katarina Riesner, Martina Kalupa, Beate Jung, Sarah Mertlitz, Constanze Schwarz, Joerg Mengwasser, Claudine Fricke, Olaf Penack
Summary: Despite progress in allo-HCT, cGvHD remains a major hurdle, and improved pre-clinical models are needed. We developed two murine cGvHD models that resemble the clinical manifestations of cGvHD in patients. These models exhibited diverse signs of cGvHD in target organs and decelerated immune cell reconstitution. They can provide a deeper understanding of cGvHD pathology and facilitate the translation of experimental findings into human allo-HCT.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
John E. Beute, Alex Y. Kim, Jamie J. Park, Allen Yang, Keshia Torres-Shafer, David W. Mullins, Paula Sundstrom
Summary: Pseudomembranous candidiasis is an infection of the upper gastrointestinal tract caused by Candida albicans. Research suggests that the IL-20 cytokine signaling pathway in oral keratinocytes may play a role in regulating oral candidiasis. In a mouse model, mice lacking the IL-20RB receptor exhibited less weight loss compared to wild-type mice, indicating reduced overall disease consequences in the mutant mice.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Lisa Kathleen Ryan, Gill Diamond
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lorenzo P. Menzel, Hossain Mobaswar Chowdhury, Jorge Adrian Masso-Silva, William Ruddick, Klaudia Falkovsky, Rafael Vorona, Andrew Malsbary, Kartikeya Cherabuddi, Lisa K. Ryan, Kristina M. DiFranco, David C. Brice, Michael J. Costanzo, Damian Weaver, Katie B. Freeman, Richard W. Scott, Gill Diamond
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Immunology
Minjia Yu, Hao Zhou, Junjie Zhao, Nengming Xiao, Sanjoy Roychowdhury, David Schmitt, Bingqing Hu, Richard M. Ransohoff, Clifford V. Harding, Amy G. Hise, Stanley L. Hazen, Anthony L. DeFranco, Paul L. Fox, Richard E. Morton, Paul E. Dicorleto, Maria Febbraio, Laura E. Nagy, Jonathan D. Smith, Jian-an Wang, Xiaoxia Li
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2014)
Article
Virology
Megan E. Ermler, Zachary Traylor, Krupen Patel, Stefan A. Schattgen, Sivapriya K. Vanaja, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Amy G. Hise
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Lorenzo P. Menzel, Willam Ruddick, Mobaswar H. Chowdhury, David C. Brice, Ryan Clance, Emily Porcelli, Lisa K. Ryan, Jungnam Lee, Ozlem Yilmaz, Keith L. Kirkwood, Laura McMahon, Amy Tran, Gill Diamond
JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Lisa K. Ryan, Amy G. Hise, Chowdhury Mobaswar Hossain, William Ruddick, Rezwana Parveen, Katie B. Freeman, Damian G. Weaver, Hema P. Narra, Richard W. Scott, Gill Diamond
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Gill Diamond, Natalia Molchanova, Claudine Herlan, John A. Fortkort, Jennifer S. Lin, Erika Figgins, Nathen Bopp, Lisa K. Ryan, Donghoon Chung, Robert Scott Adcock, Michael Sherman, Annelise E. Barron
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown potential as novel antiviral drugs by inactivating viruses through disrupting their envelopes. However, their clinical development has been hindered by their enzymatically labile structure. Peptoid mimics of AMPs have been investigated for their potent in vitro antiviral activity against HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, with potential as safe and effective broad-spectrum antiviral agents due to their stability and bioavailability.
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Lisa K. Ryan, Tanya O. Robinson, Erika H. Figgins, Uyen Emily' Do, Kenneth J. Wilson, Sarah C. Glover, Gill Diamond
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah C. Glover, Mohammad-Zaman Nouri, Kubra M. Tuna, Lybil B. Mendoza Alvarez, Lisa K. Ryan, James F. Shirley, Ying Tang, Nancy D. Denslow, Abdel A. Alli
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
James Forrest Shirley, Joshua Drourr, W. Taylor Edwards, Kubra Tuna, Lisa K. Ryan, Abdel Alli, Ying Tang, Sarah C. Glover
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Microbiology
Mobaswar Hossain Chowdhury, Lisa Kathleen Ryan, Kartikeya Cherabuddi, Katie B. Freeman, Damian G. Weaver, Jeffry C. Pelletier, Richard W. Scott, Gill Diamond
Article
Immunology
Lisa Kathleen Ryan, Jichuan Wu, Kyell Schwartz, Sunghan Yim, Gill Diamond