Characterisation of Bacteriophage-Encoded Depolymerases Selective for Key <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Capsular Exopolysaccharides.

Capsular polysaccharides enable clinically important clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae to cause severe systemic infections in susceptible hosts. Phage-encoded capsule depolymerases have the potential to provide an alternative treatment paradigm in patients when multiple drug resistance has eroded the efficacy of conventional antibiotic chemotherapy. An investigation of 164 K. pneumoniae from intensive care patients in Thailand revealed a large number of distinct K types in low abundance but four (K2, K51, K1, K10) with a frequency of at least 5%. To identify depolymerases with the capacity to degrade capsules associated with these common K-types, 62 lytic phage were isolated from Thai hospital sewage water using K1, K2 and K51 isolates as hosts; phage plaques, without exception, displayed halos indicative of the presence of capsule-degrading enzymes. Phage genomes ranged in size from 41-348 kb with between 50 and 535 predicted coding sequences (CDSs). Using a custom phage protein database we were successful in applying annotation to 30 - 70% (mean = 58%) of these CDSs. The largest genomes, of so-called jumbo phage, carried multiple tRNAs as well as CRISPR repeat and spacer sequences. One of the smaller phage genomes was found to contain a putative Cas type 1E gene, indicating a history of host DNA acquisition in these obligate lytic phage. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) indicated that some phage displayed an extended host range due to the presence of multiple depolymerase genes; in total, 42 candidate depolymerase genes were identified with up to eight in a single genome. Seven distinct virions were selected for further investigation on the basis of host range, phage morphology and WGS. Candidate genes for K1, K2 and K51 depolymerases were expressed and purified as his6-tagged soluble protein and enzymatic activity demonstrated against K. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides by gel electrophoresis and Anton-Paar rolling ball viscometry. Depolymerases completely removed the capsule in K-type-specific fashion from K. pneumoniae cells. We conclude that broad-host range phage carry multiple enzymes, each with the capacity to degrade a single K-type, and any future use of these enzymes as therapeutic agents will require enzyme cocktails for utility against a range of K. pneumoniae infections

Characterisation of Bacteriophage-Encoded Depolymerases Selective for Key Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsular Exopolysaccharides.

Capsular polysaccharides enable clinically important clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae to cause severe systemic infections in susceptible hosts. Phage-encoded capsule depolymerases have the potential to provide an alternative treatment paradigm in patients when multiple drug resistance has eroded the efficacy of conventional antibiotic chemotherapy. An investigation of 164 K. pneumoniae from intensive care patients in Thailand revealed a large number of distinct K types in low abundance but four (K2, K51, K1, K10) with a frequency of at least 5%. To identify depolymerases with the capacity to degrade capsules associated with these common K-types, 62 lytic phage were isolated from Thai hospital sewage water using K1, K2 and K51 isolates as hosts; phage plaques, without exception, displayed halos indicative of the presence of capsule-degrading enzymes. Phage genomes ranged in size from 41-348 kb with between 50 and 535 predicted coding sequences (CDSs). Using a custom phage protein database we were successful in applying annotation to 30 - 70% (mean = 58%) of these CDSs. The largest genomes, of so-called jumbo phage, carried multiple tRNAs as well as CRISPR repeat and spacer sequences. One of the smaller phage genomes was found to contain a putative Cas type 1E gene, indicating a history of host DNA acquisition in these obligate lytic phage. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) indicated that some phage displayed an extended host range due to the presence of multiple depolymerase genes; in total, 42 candidate depolymerase genes were identified with up to eight in a single genome. Seven distinct virions were selected for further investigation on the basis of host range, phage morphology and WGS. Candidate genes for K1, K2 and K51 depolymerases were expressed and purified as his6-tagged soluble protein and enzymatic activity demonstrated against K. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides by gel electrophoresis and Anton-Paar rolling ball viscometry. Depolymerases completely removed the capsule in K-type-specific fashion from K. pneumoniae cells. We conclude that broad-host range phage carry multiple enzymes, each with the capacity to degrade a single K-type, and any future use of these enzymes as therapeutic agents will require enzyme cocktails for utility against a range of K. pneumoniae infections

Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Autographiviridae Phage and Its Combined Effect with Tigecycline in Controlling Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii-Associated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR A. baumannii) is one of the ESKAPE pathogens that restricts available treatment options. MDR A. baumannii is responsible for a dramatic increase in case numbers of a wide variety of infections, including skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), resulting in pyoderma, surgical debridement, and necrotizing fasciitis. To investigate an alternative medical treatment for SSTIs, a broad range lytic Acinetobacter phage, vB _AbP_ABWU2101 (phage vABWU2101), for lysing MDR A. baumannii in associated SSTIs was isolated and the biological aspects of this phage were investigated. Morphological characterization and genomic analysis revealed that phage vABWU2101 was a new species in the Friunavirus, Beijerinckvirinae, family Autographiviridae, and order Caudovirales. Antibiofilm activity of phage vABWU2101 demonstrated good activity against both preformed biofilms and biofilm formation. The combination of phage vABWU2101 and tigecycline showed synergistic antimicrobial activities against planktonic and biofilm cells. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the antibacterial efficacy of the combination of phage vABWU2101 and tigecycline was more effective than the phage or antibiotic alone. Hence, our findings could potentially be used to develop a therapeutic option for the treatment of SSTIs caused by MDR A. baumannii

Exploration of the Antimicrobial and Catalytic Properties of Gold Nanoparticles Greenly Synthesized by Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. and Schult Extract

A green, simple, and rapid synthesis of gold nanoparticles using plant extract, Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. and Schult, and their applications are first described in this paper. The formation of gold nanoparticles was visually observed by the appearance of a ruby red color, which was further indicated by an absorption peak at 530 nm in UV-Vis spectroscopy. Optimization of reaction parameters for the gold nanoparticles was also investigated. Various analytical techniques were employed as part of the process of characterizing the resulting gold nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that the phenol compounds present in the extract were responsible for gold(III) reduction and stabilization of gold nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the gold nanoparticles were spherical in shape with an average diameter of 11 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicated that the green synthesis approach produced highly crystalline, face-centered cubic gold nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements confirmed the presence of elemental gold in the prepared nanoparticles. The negative zeta potential value of gold nanoparticles was found to be -30.28 mV. The green synthesized gold nanoparticles expressed effective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii and exhibited an excellent catalytic property in terms of its reduction ability of methylene blue

Isolation and Characterization of a Phapecoctavirus Infecting Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in A549 Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR A. baumannii) is an emerging pathogen in the ESKAPE group. The global burden of antimicrobial resistance has led to renewed interest in alternative antimicrobial treatment strategies, including phage therapy. This study isolated and characterized a phage vB_AbaM_ ABPW7 (vABPW7) specific to MDR A. baumannii. Morphological analysis showed that phage vABPW7 belongs to the Myoviridae family. Genome analysis showed that the phage DNA genome consists of 148,647 bp and that the phage is a member of the Phapecoctavirus genus of the order Caudovirales. A short latent period and a large burst size indicated that phage vABPW7 was a lytic phage that could potentially be used in phage therapy. Phage vABPW7 is a high-stability phage that has high lytic activity. Phage vABPW7 could effectively reduce biofilm formation and remove preformed biofilm. The utility of phage vABPW7 was investigated in a human A549 alveolar epithelial cell culture model. Phage vABPW7 was not cytotoxic to A549 cells, and the phage could significantly reduce planktonic MDR A. baumannii and MDR A. baumannii adhesion on A549 cells without cytotoxicity. This study suggests that phage vABPW7 has the potential to be developed further as a new antimicrobial agent against MDR A. baumannii

Melatonin stimulates the nonamyloidogenic processing of βAPP through the positive transcriptional regulation of ADAM10 and ADAM17

Melatonin controls many physiological functions including regulation of the circadian rhythm and clearance of free radicals and neuroprotection. Importantly, melatonin levels strongly decrease as we age and patients with Alzheimer&#039;s disease (AD) display lower melatonin than age-matched controls. Several studies have reported that melatonin can reduce aggregation and toxicity of amyloid-beta peptides that are produced from the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP). However, whether melatonin can directly regulate the beta APP-cleaving proteases (&#039;secretases&#039;) has not been investigated so far. In this study, we establish that melatonin stimulates the alpha-secretase cleavage of beta APP in cultured neuronal and non-neuronal cells. This effect is fully reversed by ADAM10- and ADAM17-specific inhibitors and requires both plasma membrane-located melatonin receptor activation, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, we demonstrate that melatonin upregulates both ADAM10 and ADAM17 catalytic activities and endogenous protein levels. Importantly, genetic depletion of one or the other protease in mouse embryonic fibroblasts prevents melatonin stimulating constitutive and PKC-regulated sAPP alpha secretion and ADAM10/ADAM17 catalytic activities. Furthermore, we show that melatonin induces ADAM10 and ADAM17 promoter transactivation, and we identify the targeted promoter regions. Finally, we correlate melatonin-dependent sAPP alpha production with a protection against staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Altogether, our results provide the first demonstration that melatonin upregulates the nonamyloidogenic ADAM10 and ADAM17 proteases through melatonin receptor activation, ERK phosphorylation and the transactivation of some specific regions of their promoters and further underline the preventive rather than curative nature of melatonin regarding AD treatment

Additional file 2: Figure S1. of Involvement of fatty acid synthase in dengue virus infection

Real-time PCR validation of siRNA mediated gene silencing of fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene. HEK293T/17 cells were not treated (mock) or treated with a siRNA control (GFP) or treated with one of four siRNAs directed to FASN (FASN1 to FASN 4). On days 1 to 5 post transfection the level of FASN transcript was determined by real time PCR. Normalization expression data relative to actin is shown. Bars show mean +/−SD. (a) 1 day post transfection, (b) 2 days post transfection, (c) 3 days post transfection, (d) 4 days post transfection and (e) 5 days post transfection. Bars show mean +/−SD (*; p value <0.05). Figure S2. Assessment of cell viability after siRNA transfection. HEK293T/17 cells were not treated (mock) or treated with a siRNA control (GFP) or treated with siRNAs directed to FASN (FASN1 and FASN 4). On day 2 post transfection cell viability was assessed by trypan blue staining and counting cells using a hemocytometer. Bars show mean +/−SD. Figure S3. Real-time PCR validation of siRNA mediated gene silencing of fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene. HEK293T/17 cells were not treated (mock) or treated with a siRNA control (GFP) or treated with one of four siRNAs directed to FASN (FASN1 to FASN 4). On day 2 post transfection (a) the level of FASN transcript was determined by real time PCR and (b) amplification product was run on an agarose gel and products visualized after ethidium bromide staining. Normalization expression data relative to actin is shown. Bars show mean +/−SD (*; p value <0.05). Figure S4. Western analysis of FASN expression after siRNA treatment. HEK293T/17 cells were not treated (mock) or treated with a siRNA control (GFP) or treated with one of four siRNAs directed to FASN (FASN1 to FASN 4). On days 1 to 4 post transfection the level of FASN protein was determined by western blot analysis. Normalization expression data relative to actin is shown. Bars show mean +/−SD (* p value <0.05; ** p value <0.01). Figure S5. Determination of orlistat cytotoxicity to HEK293T/17 cells. HEK293T/17 cells were incubated with different concentrations of orlistat or not treated (−) for (a) 24 h or (b) 36 h followed by MTT cell viability assays. Data is derived from 8 replicates. Treatment with 5% DMSO was used as a positive control. Bars show mean +/−SD (*; p value <0.05). Figure S6. The morphology of HEK293T/17 cells after orlistat treatment. HEK293T/17 cells were incubated with different concentrations of orlistat or not treated (mock) for (a) 24 h or (b) 36 h followed by observation under an inverted microscope. Magnification × 20. Figure S7. Evaluation of virucidal activity of orlistat. Stock DENV-2 was incubated with orlistat at concentrations of 1, 10, 20, 50 μM for 1 h and then used in the standard infection protocol. At 24 h.p.i (a) flow cytometry was performed to determine the percentage of infection and (b) supernatants were used to determine the virus titers. No deficit was observed in either percentage cell infection or virus titer. (PDF 2701 kb