-
Gut Microbes 2024Extensive research has explored the role of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nonetheless, metatranscriptomic studies investigating the functional implications...
Extensive research has explored the role of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nonetheless, metatranscriptomic studies investigating the functional implications of host-microbe interactions in CRC are scarce. Therefore, we characterized the influence of CRC core pathogens and biofilms on the tumor microenvironment (TME) in 40 CRC, paired normal, and healthy tissue biopsies using fluorescence hybridization (FISH) and dual-RNA sequencing. FISH revealed that . was associated with increased bacterial biomass and inflammatory response in CRC samples. Dual-RNA sequencing demonstrated increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, defensins, matrix-metalloproteases, and immunomodulatory factors in CRC samples with high bacterial activity. In addition, bacterial activity correlated with the infiltration of several immune cell subtypes, including M2 macrophages and regulatory T-cells in CRC samples. Specifically, and correlated with the infiltration of neutrophils and CD4 T-cells, respectively. The collective bacterial activity/biomass appeared to exert a more significant influence on the TME than core pathogens, underscoring the intricate interplay between gut microbiota and CRC. These results emphasize how biofilms and core pathogens shape the immune phenotype and TME in CRC while highlighting the need to extend the bacterial scope beyond CRC pathogens to advance our understanding and identify treatment targets.
Topics: Colorectal Neoplasms; Humans; Biofilms; Tumor Microenvironment; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Male; Female; Bacteria; Middle Aged; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Aged; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Cytokines; Macrophages; Phenotype; Bacteroides fragilis
PubMed: 38726597
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2350156 -
PloS One 2024The survival of the honey bee (Apis mellifera), which has a crucial role in pollination and ecosystem maintenance, is threatened by many pathogens, including parasites,...
The survival of the honey bee (Apis mellifera), which has a crucial role in pollination and ecosystem maintenance, is threatened by many pathogens, including parasites, bacteria, fungi and viruses. The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is considered the major cause of the worldwide decline in honey bee colony health. Although several synthetic acaricides are available to control Varroa infestations, resistant mites and side effects on bees have been documented. The development of natural alternatives for mite control is therefore encouraged. The study aims at exploring the effects of cinnamon and oregano essential oils (EOs) and of a mixed fruit cocktail juice on mite infestation levels and bee colony health. A multi-method study including hive inspection, mite count, molecular detection of fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens, analysis of defensin-1, hymenoptaecin and vitellogenin immune gene expression, colony density and honey production data, was conducted in a 20-hive experimental apiary. The colonies were divided into five groups: four treatment groups and one control group. The treatment groups were fed on a sugar syrup supplemented with cinnamon EO, oregano EO, a 1:1 mixture of both EOs, or a juice cocktail. An unsupplemented syrup was, instead, used to feed the control group. While V. destructor affected all the colonies throughout the study, no differences in mite infestation levels, population density and honey yield were observed between treatment and control groups. An overexpression of vitellogenin was instead found in all EO-treated groups, even though a significant difference was only found in the group treated with the 1:1 EO mixture. Viral (DWV, CBPV and BQCV), fungal (Nosema ceranae) and bacterial (Melissococcus plutonius) pathogens from both symptomatic and asymptomatic colonies were detected.
Topics: Animals; Varroidae; Bees; Mite Infestations; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 38713668
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302846 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jun 2024Aquatic environments face escalating challenges from multiple stressors like hypoxia and nanoparticle exposure, with impact of these combined stressors on mussel...
Aquatic environments face escalating challenges from multiple stressors like hypoxia and nanoparticle exposure, with impact of these combined stressors on mussel immunity being poorly understood. We investigated the individual and combined effects of short-term and long-term hypoxia and exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) on immune system of the mussels (Mytilus edulis). Hemocyte functional traits (mortality, adhesion capacity, phagocytosis, lysosomal abundance, and oxidative burst), and transcript levels of immune-related genes involved in pathogen recognition (the Toll-like receptors, the complement system components, and the adaptor proteins MyD88) were assessed. Short-term hypoxia minimally affected hemocyte parameters, while prolonged exposure led to immunosuppression, impacting hemocyte abundance, viability, phagocytosis, and defensin gene expression. Under normoxia, nZnO stimulated immune responses of mussel hemocytes. However, combined nZnO and hypoxia induced more pronounced and rapid immunosuppression than hypoxia alone, indicating a synergistic interaction. nZnO exposure hindered immune parameter recovery during post-hypoxic reoxygenation, suggesting persistent impact. Opposing trends were observed in pathogen-sensing and pathogen-elimination mechanisms, with a positive correlation between pathogen-recognition system activation and hemocyte mortality. These findings underscore a complex relationship and potential conflict between pathogen-recognition ability, immune function, and cell survival in mussel hemocytes under hypoxia and nanopollutant stress, and emphasize the importance of considering multiple stressors in assessing the vulnerability and adaptability of mussel immune system under complex environmental conditions of anthropogenically modified coastal ecosystems.
Topics: Animals; Zinc Oxide; Hemocytes; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Mytilus edulis; Immune System; Nanoparticles; Phagocytosis
PubMed: 38705446
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124112 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024In septic patients the damage of the endothelial barrier is decisive leading to circulatory septic shock with disseminated vascular coagulation, edema and multiorgan...
Major endothelial damage markers identified from hemadsorption filters derived from treated patients with septic shock - endoplasmic reticulum stress and bikunin may play a role.
INTRODUCTION
In septic patients the damage of the endothelial barrier is decisive leading to circulatory septic shock with disseminated vascular coagulation, edema and multiorgan failure. Hemadsorption therapy leads to rapid resolution of clinical symptoms. We propose that the isolation of proteins adsorbed to hemadsorption devices contributes to the identification of mediators responsible for endothelial barrier dysfunction.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Plasma materials enriched to hemadsorption filters (CytoSorb) after therapy of patients in septic shock were fractionated and functionally characterized for their effect on cell integrity, viability, proliferation and ROS formation by human endothelial cells. Fractions were further studied for their contents of oxidized nucleic acids as well as peptides and proteins by mass spectrometry.
RESULTS
Individual fractions exhibited a strong effect on endothelial cell viability, the endothelial layer morphology, and ROS formation. Fractions with high amounts of DNA and oxidized DNA correlated with ROS formation in the target endothelium. In addition, defined proteins such as defensins (HNP-1), SAA1, CXCL7, and the peptide bikunin were linked to the strongest additive effects in endothelial damage.
CONCLUSION
Our results indicate that hemadsorption is efficient to transiently remove strong endothelial damage mediators from the blood of patients with septic shock, which explains a rapid clinical improvement of inflammation and endothelial function. The current work indicates that a combination of stressors leads to the most detrimental effects. Oxidized ssDNA, likely derived from mitochondria, SAA1, the chemokine CXCL7 and the human neutrophil peptide alpha-defensin 1 (HNP-1) were unique for their significant negative effect on endothelial cell viability. However, the strongest damage effect occurred, when, bikunin - cleaved off from alpha-1-microglobulin was present in high relative amounts (>65%) of protein contents in the most active fraction. Thus, a relevant combination of stressors appears to be removed by hemadsorption therapy which results in fulminant and rapid, though only transient, clinical restitution.
Topics: Humans; Shock, Septic; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Biomarkers; Alpha-Globulins; Reactive Oxygen Species; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Cell Survival; Endothelial Cells; Male
PubMed: 38698864
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1359097 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024Oral epithelial cells serve as the primary defense against microbial exposure in the oral cavity, including the fungus Candida albicans. Dectin-1 is crucial for...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Oral epithelial cells serve as the primary defense against microbial exposure in the oral cavity, including the fungus Candida albicans. Dectin-1 is crucial for recognition of β-glucan in fungi. However, expression and function of Dectin-1 in oral epithelial cells remain unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We assessed Dectin-1 expression in Ca9-22 (gingiva), HSC-2 (mouth), HSC-3 (tongue), and HSC-4 (tongue) human oral epithelial cells using flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell treated with β-glucan-rich zymosan were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Phosphorylation of spleen-associated tyrosine kinase (SYK) was analyzed by western blotting.
RESULTS
Dectin-1 was expressed in all four cell types, with high expression in Ca9-22 and HSC-2. In Ca9-22 cells, exposure to β-glucan-rich zymosan did not alter the mRNA expression of chemokines nor of interleukin (IL)6, IL8, IL1β, IL17A, and IL17F. Zymosan induced the expression of antimicrobial peptides β-defensin-1 and LL-37, but not S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) and S100A9. Furthermore, the expression of cylindromatosis (CYLD), a negative regulator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, was induced. In HSC-2 cells, zymosan induced the expression of IL17A. The expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling, was also induced. Expression of other cytokines and antimicrobial peptides remained unchanged. Zymosan induced phosphorylation of SYK in Ca9-22 cells, as well as NF-κB.
CONCLUSION
Oral epithelial cells express Dectin-1 and recognize β-glucan, which activates SYK and induces the expression of antimicrobial peptides and negative regulators of NF-κB, potentially maintaining oral homeostasis.
Topics: Humans; Lectins, C-Type; NF-kappa B; Signal Transduction; Syk Kinase; Epithelial Cells; Cell Line; Zymosan; Cytokines; Phosphorylation; Mouth Mucosa; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
PubMed: 38688646
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13537 -
Vaccines Apr 2024Most of the licensed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 target spike proteins to induce viral neutralizing antibodies. However, currently prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants contain...
The Papain-like Protease Domain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Conjugated with Human Beta-Defensin 2 and Co1 Induces Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses against the Virus.
Most of the licensed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 target spike proteins to induce viral neutralizing antibodies. However, currently prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants contain many mutations, especially in their spike proteins. The development of vaccine antigens with conserved sequences that cross-react with variants of SARS-CoV-2 is needed to effectively defend against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given that viral infection is initiated in the respiratory mucosa, strengthening the mucosal immune response would provide effective protection. We constructed a mucosal vaccine antigen using the papain-like protease (PLpro) domain of non-structural protein 3 of SARS-CoV-2. To potentiate the mucosal immune response, PLpro was combined with human beta-defensin 2, an antimicrobial peptide with mucosal immune adjuvant activity, and Co1, an M-cell-targeting ligand. Intranasal administration of the recombinant PLpro antigen conjugate into C57BL/6 and hACE2 knock-in (KI) mice induced antigen-specific T-cell and antibody responses with complement-dependent cytotoxic activity. Viral challenge experiments using the Wuhan and Delta strains of SARS-CoV-2 provided further evidence that immunized hACE2 KI mice were protected against viral challenge infections. Our study shows that PLpro is a useful candidate vaccine antigen against SARS-CoV-2 infection and that the inclusion of human beta-defensin 2 and Co1 in the recombinant construct may enhance the efficacy of the vaccine.
PubMed: 38675823
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040441 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024It is now generally accepted that the success of antitumor therapy can be impaired by concurrent antibiotic therapy, the presence of certain bacteria, and elevated...
It is now generally accepted that the success of antitumor therapy can be impaired by concurrent antibiotic therapy, the presence of certain bacteria, and elevated defensin levels around the tumor tissue. The aim of our current investigation was to identify the underlying changes in microbiome and defensin levels in the tumor tissue induced by different antibiotics, as well as the duration of this modification. The microbiome of the tumor tissues was significantly different from that of healthy volunteers. Comparing only the tumor samples, no significant difference was confirmed between the untreated group and the group treated with antibiotics more than 3 months earlier. However, antibiotic treatment within 3 months of analysis resulted in a significantly modified microbiome composition. Irrespective of whether Fosfomycin, Fluoroquinolone or Beta-lactam treatment was used, the abundance of decreased, and abundance increased. Large amounts of the genus were observed in the Fluoroquinolone-treated group. Regardless of the antibiotic treatment, hBD1 expression of the tumor cells consistently doubled. The increase in hBD2 and hBD3 expression was the highest in the Beta-lactam treated group. Apparently, antibiotic treatment within 3 months of sample analysis induced microbiome changes and defensin expression levels, depending on the identity of the applied antibiotic.
Topics: Humans; beta-Defensins; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbiota; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Fosfomycin; Fluoroquinolones; beta-Lactams
PubMed: 38674148
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084562 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2024, a microsporidian parasite, as one of the stressors that contribute to honey bee decline, has a significant negative impact on the longevity, productivity, and...
, a microsporidian parasite, as one of the stressors that contribute to honey bee decline, has a significant negative impact on the longevity, productivity, and reproductive capacity of honey bee colonies. There are several different strategies for infection control, including natural-based and antibiotic-based products. In this study, we tested wormwood and oak bark-based supplement "Medenko forte" on survival, infection, oxidative stress, and expression of immune-related genes in artificially -infected bees. The results revealed a positive influence on the survival of -infected bees, irrespectively of the moment of supplement application (day 1, day 3, or day 6 after bee emergence), as well as reduction of loads and, consequently, -induced oxidative stress. Supplementation had no negative effects on bee immunity, but better anti- than immune-stimulating effects were affirmed based on expression levels of abaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin, and vitellogenin genes. In conclusion, the tested supplement "Medenko forte" has great potential in the health protection of -infected bees. However, further investigations need to be performed to elucidate its mechanisms of action.
PubMed: 38672343
DOI: 10.3390/ani14081195 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jun 2024Nicotine, a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco, is a potent neurotoxin extensively used to control Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), a destructive insect pest of...
Nicotine, a naturally occurring alkaloid found in tobacco, is a potent neurotoxin extensively used to control Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), a destructive insect pest of rice crops. The insect gut harbors a wide array of resident microorganisms that profoundly influence several biological processes, including host immunity. Maintaining an optimal gut microbiota and immune homeostasis requires a complex network of reciprocal regulatory interactions. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these symbiotic exchanges, particularly between specific gut microbe and immunity, remain largely unknown in insects. Our previous investigations identified and isolated a nicotine-degrading Burkholderia cepacia strain (BsNLG8) with antifungal properties. Building on those findings, we found that nicotine intake significantly increased the abundance of a symbiotic bacteria BsNLG8, induced a stronger bacteriostatic effect in hemolymph, and enhanced the nicotine tolerance of N. lugens. Additionally, nicotine-induced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibited significant antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus. We adopted RNA-seq to explore the underlying immunological mechanisms in nicotine-stressed N. lugens. Bioinformatic analyses identified numerous differentially expressed immune genes, including recognition/immune activation (GRPs and Toll) and AMPs (i.e., Defensin, Lugensin, lysozyme). Temporal expression profiling (12, 24, and 48 hours) of immune genes revealed pattern recognition proteins and immune effectors as primary responders to nicotine-induced stress. Defensin A, a broad-spectrum immunomodulatory cationic peptide, exhibited significantly high expression. RNA interference-mediated silencing of Defensin A reduced the survival, enhanced nicotine sensitivity of N. lugens to nicotine, and decreased the abundance of BsNLG8. The reintroduction of BsNLG8 improved the expression of immune genes, aiding nicotine resistance of N. lugens. Our findings indicate a potential reciprocal immunomodulatory interaction between Defensin A and BsNLG8 under nicotine stress. Moreover, this study offers novel and valuable insights for future research into enhancing nicotine-based pest management programs and developing alternative biocontrol methods involving the implication of insect symbionts.
Topics: Animals; Nicotine; Hemiptera; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Burkholderia cepacia; Defensins; Stress, Physiological; Symbiosis
PubMed: 38663196
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116371 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... Apr 2024Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality. Human β-defensin-1 (hBD-1) may play an integral function in the innate immune system, contributing...
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality. Human β-defensin-1 (hBD-1) may play an integral function in the innate immune system, contributing to the recognition and destruction of cancer cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the process of cell differentiation and growth.
AIM
To investigate the effect of hBD-1 on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and autophagy in human colon cancer SW620 cells.
METHODS
CCK8 assay was utilized for the detection of cell proliferation and determination of the optimal drug concentration. Colony formation assay was employed to assess the effect of hBD-1 on SW620 cell proliferation. Bioinformatics was used to screen potentially biologically significant lncRNAs related to the mTOR pathway. Additionally, p-mTOR (Ser2448), Beclin1, and LC3II/I expression levels in SW620 cells were assessed through Western blot analysis.
RESULTS
hBD-1 inhibited the proliferative ability of SW620 cells, as evidenced by the reduction in the colony formation capacity of SW620 cells upon exposure to hBD-1. hBD-1 decreased the expression of p-mTOR (Ser2448) protein and increased the expression of Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis identified seven lncRNAs (2 upregulated and 5 downregulated) related to the mTOR pathway. The lncRNA TCONS_00014506 was ultimately selected. Following the inhibition of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506, exposure to hBD-1 inhibited p-mTOR (Ser2448) and promoted Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein expression.
CONCLUSION
hBD-1 inhibits the mTOR pathway and promotes autophagy by upregulating the expression of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506 in SW620 cells.
PubMed: 38660658
DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1465