Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Sawada, Ayako Setoyama, Yumiko Sakuragi, Natsuko Saito-Sasaki, Haruna Yoshioka, Motonobu Nakamura
Summary: The skin is exposed to various environmental stimuli, leading to inflammatory immune responses, especially towards cutaneous fungal infections. IL-17 producing cells play a crucial role in anti-fungal action, but their actual impact remains unclear. Research focuses on the role of IL-17-producing cells in cutaneous fungal infections and characteristics of infectious fungi on the skin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. D. Jayasena Kaluarachchi, Paul M. Campbell, Rajitha Wickremasinghe, Shalindra Ranasinghe, Renu Wickremasinghe, Surangi Yasawardene, Hiromel De Silva, Chandrani Menike, M. C. K. Jayarathne, Subodha Jayathilake, Ayomi Dilhari, Andrew J. McBain, Manjula M. Weerasekera
Summary: The study found that more than half of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) wounds associated with the endemic strain of Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka harbored biofilms, and the microbiome of these wounds exhibited distinct differences and lower diversity compared to unaffected skin.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Prakash Kishore Hazam, Chin-Cheng Cheng, Chu-Yi Hsieh, Wen-Chun Lin, Po-Hsien Hsu, Te-Li Chen, Yi-Tzu Lee, Jyh-Yih Chen
Summary: Pathogenic superbugs are causing complex infections that cannot be treated effectively. Developing novel antibacterial agents, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), is urgently needed. This study successfully developed two TP2-based AMPs that showed significant antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and low cytotoxicity. These peptides also demonstrated synergistic effects when combined with clinical antibiotics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Kun Li, Zhen Tang, Kuangyu Song, Nicholas G. Fischer, Huihui Wang, Yunlin Guan, Yunyun Deng, Hao Cai, Sammer Ul Hassan, Zhou Ye, Ting Sang
Summary: A multifunctional nanocoating has been developed for titanium mini-implants to prevent bacterial infection and promote osseointegration. The nanocoating, consisting of antimicrobial peptides GL13K and silver nanoparticles (Ag-GL), showed excellent antibacterial properties without altering the surface morphology of the mini-implants. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the Ag-GL coating significantly enhanced osseointegration and new bone formation.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Milla B. Paiva, Raquel Peralva Ribeiro-Romao, Larissa Resende-Vieira, Thais Braga-Gomes, Marcia P. Oliveira, Andrea F. Saavedra, Luzinei Silva-Couto, Hermano G. Albuquerque, Otacilio C. Moreira, Eduardo Fonseca Pinto, Alda Maria Da-Cruz, Adriano Gomes-Silva
Summary: The golden hamster model is suitable for studying cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Different inoculum doses result in varying lesion sizes and immune responses in the infected animals. Changes in cytokine expression, especially IFN-gamma and IL-6, are associated with tissue damage and parasite load during the infection progression.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Greta Volpedo, Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez, Erin A. Holcomb, Wen-Wei Zhang, Patrick Lypaczewski, Blake Cox, Rebecca Fultz, Chelsea Mishan, Chaitenya Verma, Ryan H. Huston, Abigail R. Wharton, Ranadhir Dey, Subir Karmakar, Steve Oghumu, Shinjiro Hamano, Sreenivas Gannavaram, Hira L. Nakhasi, Greg Matlashewski, Abhay R. Satoskar
Summary: Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, researchers have successfully generated live attenuated centrin knockout L. mexicana parasites. These parasites exhibit a growth defect and lower parasitic burdens compared to the wild type, as well as increased production of protective cytokines. In pre-clinical models, immunization with the LmexCen(-/-) parasites is safe and efficacious, leading to protective immunity and reduced parasitic burdens at the infection site and draining lymph nodes.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ziyi Lu, Yueming Wu, Zihao Cong, Yuxin Qian, Xue Wu, Ning Shao, Zhongqian Qiao, Haodong Zhang, Yunrui She, Kang Chen, Hengxue Xiang, Bin Sun, Qian Yu, Yuan Yuan, Haodong Lin, Meifang Zhu, Runhui Liu
Summary: The peptide polymer-modified thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) surfaces exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and good biocompatibility, functioning through a contact-killing mechanism by disrupting the bacterial membrane.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Gabriela Silva Cruz, Ariane Teixeira dos Santos, Erika Helena Salles de Brito, Gandhi Radis-Baptista
Summary: This review presents the antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antiviral effects of cell-penetrating antimicrobial peptides and highlights their potential for treating intracellular infections.
Article
Immunology
Leon G. Leanse, Carolina dos Anjos, Ying Wang, Clinton K. Murray, David C. Hooper, Tianhong Dai
Summary: The study investigated the efficacy of antimicrobial blue light (aBL) and aBL combined with quinine hydrochloride (aBL + Q-HCL) for treating cutaneous mold infections. Results showed that mold conidia are tolerant to aBL, but the addition of Q-HCL enhanced efficacy, causing intracellular and cell wall damage. Porphyrins were found in all mold strains, with Aspergillus fumigatus having the highest concentration. Overall, aBL and aBL + Q-HCL effectively reduced the burden of A. fumigatus in dermabrasion infections and limited recurrence.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lingling Pan, Dawei Jiang, Luqi Pan, Zhizhen Meng, Yangyang Zhuang, Yueyue Huang, Fanrong Ye, Changcan Shi, Jie Chen, Jingye Pan
Summary: This study reports a strategy to specifically target inflammation sites using anti-ICAM-1 antibody bonded antibacterial peptide polymeric nanoparticles. The nanoparticles exhibit ideal antibacterial properties and targeting capabilities to inflammation endothelial cells, offering a potential treatment for sepsis.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Guixi Wang, Zhizhi Chen, Pan Tian, Qinqin Han, Jinyang Zhang, A-Mei Zhang, Yuzhu Song
Summary: Cathelicidin-DM promotes cell proliferation and migration by activating the MAPK signaling pathway, facilitating wound healing. In animal experiments, it accelerates skin wound healing and early debridement, suggesting a new approach for treating infected chronic wounds.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bingjie Wang, Wenshang Zhang, Qi Pan, Jiaojiao Tao, Shuang Li, Tianze Jiang, Xia Zhao
Summary: A novel biodegradable microneedle patch (CuS/PAF-26 MN) was developed for treating deep cutaneous fungal infection (DCFI). CuS/PAF-26 MN consists of hyaluronic acid (HA) and copper sulfide nano-enzyme (CuS NE) and antimicrobial peptide (PAF-26), which can deliver CuS NE and PAF-26 simultaneously. CuS NE catalyzes hydrogen peroxide to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), and PAF-26 disrupts the fungal cell membrane directly, resulting in strong antifungal activities without drug resistance. In a DCFI mouse model, CuS/PAF-26 MN exhibited significantly superior antifungal effect compared to traditional ointment, CuS MN, or PAF-26 MN. Therefore, CuS/PAF-26 MN shows promising application prospects for DCFI treatment.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chunling Zhu, Yilin Bai, Xueqin Zhao, Shanqin Liu, Xiaojing Xia, Shouping Zhang, Yimin Wang, Huihui Zhang, Yanzhao Xu, Shijun Chen, Jinqing Jiang, Yundi Wu, Xilong Wu, Gaiping Zhang, Xueming Zhang, Jianhe Hu, Lei Wang, Yaya Zhao, Yueyu Bai
Summary: Bacteria have developed antibiotic resistance, necessitating the development of new antibiotics or alternatives. This study tested the antimicrobial peptide MPX and found it had good antibacterial activity against various strains, particularly E. coli. The mechanism of action involved damaging the cell membrane, increasing permeability, and inducing bacterial death. Additionally, MPX promoted tissue repair and reduced lung damage in a mouse infection model, suggesting its potential for immunotherapy.
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tobias Kielholz, Marcel Walther, Nathalie Jung, Maike Windbergs
Summary: The resistance of clinically relevant bacteria against antibiotics highlights the need for novel therapeutics, especially for the treatment of wound infections. This study successfully developed drug-loaded wound dressings using electrospinning techniques, and demonstrated their antimicrobial activity against typical wound-associated pathogens.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chayanon Ngambenjawong, Leslie W. Chan, Heather E. Fleming, Sangeeta N. Bhatia
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have the potential to be an alternative to antibiotics for combating antimicrobial resistance, but their systemic application is hindered by short circulation time and toxicity. This study developed a strategy to prolong the systemic circulation of small cationic AMPs by conjugating them with an albumin-binding domain (ABD). The conjugate was able to enhance pulmonary delivery of the active AMP, while reducing exposure to other off-target organs, thereby improving safety. The framework presented in this study can be used to optimize the performance of this emerging class of conditional therapeutics.
Article
Allergy
Christopher H. Arehart, Michelle Daya, Monica Campbell, Meher Preethi Boorgula, Nicholas Rafaels, Sameer Chavan, Gloria David, Jon Hanifin, Mark K. Slifka, Richard L. Gallo, Tissa Hata, Lynda C. Schneider, Amy S. Paller, Peck Y. Ong, Jonathan M. Spergel, Emma Guttman-Yassky, Donald Y. M. Leung, Lisa A. Beck, Christopher R. Gignoux, Rasika A. Mathias, Kathleen C. Barnes
Summary: This study shows that polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for atopic dermatitis (AD) incorporating genetic determinants across atopic phenotypes and FLG loss-of-function variants can effectively predict the occurrence and severity of AD. Including FLG LOF mutations in genetic scoring further improves accuracy in predicting AD cases, with the best ability to distinguish individuals with severe AD.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sagar P. Bapat, Caroline Whitty, Cody T. Mowery, Yuqiong Liang, Arum Yoo, Zewen Jiang, Michael C. Peters, Ling-juan Zhang, Ian Vogel, Carmen Zhou, Vinh Q. Nguyen, Zhongmei Li, Christina Chang, Wandi S. Zhu, Annette T. Hastie, Helen He, Xin Ren, Wenli Qiu, Sarah G. Gayer, Chang Liu, Eun Jung Choi, Marlys Fassett, Jarish N. Cohen, Jamie L. Sturgill, Laura E. Crotty Alexander, Jae Myoung Suh, Christopher Liddle, Annette R. Atkins, Ruth T. Yu, Michael Downes, Sihao Liu, Barbara S. Nikolajczyk, In-Kyu Lee, Emma Guttman-Yassky, K. Mark Ansel, Prescott G. Woodruff, John Fahy, Dean Sheppard, Richard L. Gallo, Chun Jimmie Ye, Ronald M. Evans, Ye Zheng, Alexander Marson
Summary: Obesity can disrupt immune responses and alter the effectiveness of immunotherapies by changing T cell immune reactions and decreasing the activity of PPAR gamma in Th2 cells.
Article
Microbiology
Morgan M. Severn, Michael R. Williams, Ali Shahbandi, Zoie L. Bunch, Laurie M. Lyon, Amber Nguyen, Livia S. Zaramela, Daniel A. Todd, Karsten Zengler, Nadja B. Cech, Richard L. Gallo, Alexander R. Horswill
Summary: Human skin is home to a variety of commensal bacteria, including Staphylococcus hominis, which plays an important role in preventing Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection. It produces multiple signaling molecules that inhibit the virulence factor regulation system of S. aureus and other related species. Synthetic versions of these molecules have shown protective effects against S. aureus-associated skin injuries in animal models.
Editorial Material
Dermatology
Samia Almoughrabie, Richard L. Gallo
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Tran H. Do, Feiyang Ma, Priscila R. Andrade, Rosane Teles, Bruno J. de Andrade Silva, Chanyue Hu, Alejandro Espinoza, Jer-En Hsu, Chun-Seok Cho, Myungjin Kim, Jingyue Xi, Xianying Xing, Olesya Plazyo, Lam C. Tsoi, Carol Cheng, Jenny Kim, Bryan D. Bryson, Alan M. O'Neill, Marco Colonna, Johann E. Gudjonsson, Eynav Klechevsky, Jun Hee Lee, Richard L. Gallo, Barry R. Bloom, Matteo Pellegrini, Robert L. Modlin
Summary: Acne, a common skin condition affecting 1 in 10 people globally, is characterized by disfiguring facial lesions. This study explored the mechanisms underlying the disease using single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing, as well as ultrahigh-resolution Seq-Scope analysis. The researchers identified TREM2 macrophages expressing lipid metabolism and proinflammatory genes near the hair follicle epithelium, which expressed squalene epoxidase. Through in vitro experiments, it was discovered that squalene induced differentiation of TREM2 macrophages, impairing their ability to kill Cutibacterium acnes. Additionally, the addition of squalene to macrophages inhibited oxidative enzymes and scavenged oxygen free radicals, providing insights into the efficacy of benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of TREM2 macrophages and unsaturated lipids in the pathogenesis of acne, as well as their similarity to atherosclerosis.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Allergy
Elise Burger, Richard L. Gallo
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Kellen J. Cavagnero, Richard L. Gallo
Summary: Fibroblasts are stromal cells that produce extracellular matrix and play a role in tissue structure and scar formation. Recent studies have found that they are highly heterogeneous and actively participate in both innate and adaptive immune defense. Detailed analysis of barrier tissues such as skin, gut, and lung shows that some fibroblasts directly sense pathogens and other danger signals, contributing to host defense functions such as antimicrobial activity, white blood cell recruitment, and production of cytokines relevant to inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Qian Liu, Ryan Ranallo, Carmen Rios, Elizabeth A. Grice, Kyung Moon, Richard L. Gallo
Summary: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases organized a two-day virtual workshop to explore the interactions between skin microbial communities and the host immune system in both health and disease. The workshop aimed to assess the current knowledge in this field and identify gaps, challenges, and future directions.
Review
Immunology
Yang Chen, Rob Knight, Richard L. Gallo
Summary: Despite its harsh environment, human skin is home to diverse microbes that form communities and interact with the host immune system. Imbalances in the skin microbiome have been linked to inflammatory skin disorders. Recent research suggests that microorganisms on the skin can have systemic effects on the body. Advanced technologies, such as metagenomics, can provide more comprehensive information about the skin microbiome. Inter-species and multi-kingdom interactions are important but yet-to-be-explored aspects of skin disorders. Understanding these dynamics requires meta-omic studies and clinical trials. This review presents the current and emerging methods for profiling skin microbes to advance our understanding of the microbiome in skin disease.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
S. Khalil, M. R. Williams, R. Gallo
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
T. Nakatsuji, A. Butcher, S. Brinton, A. O'Neill, R. Gallo
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
K. Cavagnero, T. Dokoshi, A. O'Neill, J. Seidman, M. Liggins, R. Gallo
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Dermatology
Brigitte Dreno, Richard L. Gallo, Enzo Berardesca, Christopher E. M. Griffiths
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Allergy
Lisa Beck, Mark Boguniewicz, Tissa Hata, Zelma Fuxench, Eric Simpson, Anna De Benedetto, Justin Ko, Peck Ong, Takeshi Yoshida, Richard Gallo, Kanwaljit Brar, Patrick Schlievert, Miguel Villareal, Stephanie Lussier, Gloria David, Amanda Rudman-Spergel, Donald Leung
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Alan M. O'Neill, Marc C. Liggins, Jason S. Seidman, Tran H. Do, Fengwu Li, Kellen J. Cavagnero, Tatsuya Dokoshi, Joyce Y. Cheng, Faiza Shafiq, Tissa R. Hata, Johann E. Gudjonsson, Robert L. Modlin, Richard L. Gallo
Summary: Research has shown that adipogenic fibroblasts play a critical role in acne pathogenesis and can protect against Cutibacterium acnes infection by producing cathelicidin. The ability of C. acnes to trigger cathelicidin production in preadipocytes is dependent on TLR2. Retinoic acid (RA) treatment can suppress adipogenesis and enhance cathelicidin expression in preadipocytes, providing a potential therapeutic target for difficult-to-treat acne.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)