scholarly journals Human Antimicrobial Peptides as Therapeutics for Viral Infections

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aslaa Ahmed ◽  
Gavriella Siman-Tov ◽  
Grant Hall ◽  
Nishank Bhalla ◽  
Aarthi Narayanan
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Pathogen Entry ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Successful in vivo infection following pathogen entry requires the evasion and subversion of multiple immunological barriers. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are one of the first immune pathways upregulated during infection by multiple pathogens, in multiple organs in vivo. In humans, there are many classes of AMPs exhibiting broad antimicrobial activities, with defensins and the human cathelicidin LL-37 being the best studied examples. Whereas historically the efficacy and therapeutic potential of AMPs against bacterial infection has been the primary focus of research, recent studies have begun to elucidate the antiviral properties of AMPs as well as their role in regulation of inflammation and chemoattraction. AMPs as therapeutic tools seem especially promising against emerging infectious viral pathogens for which no approved vaccines or treatments are currently available, such as dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV). In this review, we summarize recent studies elucidating the efficacy and diverse mechanisms of action of various classes of AMPs against multiple viral pathogens, as well as the potential use of human AMPs in novel antiviral therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Plant-Derived Nano and Microvesicles for Human Health and Therapeutic Potential in Nanomedicine

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Mariaevelina Alfieri ◽  
Antonietta Leone ◽  
Alfredo Ambrosone
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Plant Biotechnology ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Plants produce different types of nano and micro-sized vesicles. Observed for the first time in the 60s, plant nano and microvesicles (PDVs) and their biological role have been inexplicably under investigated for a long time. Proteomic and metabolomic approaches revealed that PDVs carry numerous proteins with antifungal and antimicrobial activity, as well as bioactive metabolites with high pharmaceutical interest. PDVs have also been shown to be also involved in the intercellular transfer of small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs, suggesting fascinating mechanisms of long-distance gene regulation and horizontal transfer of regulatory RNAs and inter-kingdom communications. High loading capacity, intrinsic biological activities, biocompatibility, and easy permeabilization in cell compartments make plant-derived vesicles excellent natural or bioengineered nanotools for biomedical applications. Growing evidence indicates that PDVs may exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anticancer activities in different in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, clinical trials are currently in progress to test the effectiveness of plant EVs in reducing insulin resistance and in preventing side effects of chemotherapy treatments. In this review, we concisely introduce PDVs, discuss shortly their most important biological and physiological roles in plants and provide clues on the use and the bioengineering of plant nano and microvesicles to develop innovative therapeutic tools in nanomedicine, able to encompass the current drawbacks in the delivery systems in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical technology. Finally, we predict that the advent of intense research efforts on PDVs may disclose new frontiers in plant biotechnology applied to nanomedicine.

scholarly journals Cell Membrane-Interrupting Antimicrobial Peptides from Isatis indigotica Fortune Isolated by a Bacillus subtilis Expression System

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Wu ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Khalid Abbas ◽  
Jiale Li ◽  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
Yunjun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Electrical Potential ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Isatis Indigotica

The situation of drug resistance has become more complicated due to the scarcity of plant resistance genes, and overcoming this challenge is imperative. Isatis indigotica has been used for the treatment of wounds, viral infections, and inflammation for centuries. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found in all classes of life ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. To identify AMPs, I. indigotica was explored using a novel, sensitive, and high-throughput Bacillus subtilis screening system. We found that IiR515 and IiR915 exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against a variety of bacterial (Xanthomonas oryzae, Ralstonia solanacearum, Clavibacter michiganensis, and C. fangii) and fungal (Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea) pathogens. Scanning electron microscope and cytometric analysis revealed the possible mechanism of these peptides, which was to target and disrupt the bacterial cell membrane. This model was also supported by membrane fluidity and electrical potential analyses. Hemolytic activity assays revealed that these peptides may act as a potential source for clinical medicine development. In conclusion, the plant-derived novel AMPs IiR515 and IiR915 are effective biocontrol agents and can be used as raw materials in the drug discovery field.

Induction of antimicrobial peptides from Rana dybowskii under Rana grylio virus stress, and bioactivity analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 848-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Jing Yang ◽  
Xiang-Hong Xiao ◽  
Yi-Gang Xu ◽  
Dan-Dan Li ◽  
Long-Hui Chai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
The Other ◽  
Degenerate Primers ◽  
Cdna Sequences ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Pathogen Invasion ◽  
Peptide Precursors ◽  
Rana Dybowskii

The skin glands of Ranidae are a rich source of antimicrobial peptides. In this study, the genomic RNA of Rana dybowskii was extracted from its skin while under Rana grylio virus stress. Five new cDNA sequences encoding 5 mature peptides, Ranatuerin-2YJ (GLMDIFKVAVNKLLAAGMNKPRCKAAHC), Dybowskin-YJb (IIPLPLGYFAKKP), Dybowskin-YJa (IIPLPLGYFAKKKKKKDPVPLDQ), Temperin-YJa (VLPLLETCSMTCWENNQTFGK), and Temperin-YJb (VLPLVGNLLNDLLGK), were obtained by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with a pair of degenerate primers designed according to the conserved terminal sequences of cDNA encoding antimicrobial peptide precursors of genus Rana. The antimicrobial activities of the peptides were analyzed, and the results demonstrated that all these peptides showed a significant anti-Rana grylio virus activity, and the virus was gradually cleared with the increase in gene expression. Among the 5 peptides obtained in this work, Ranatuerin-2YJ also showed a broad-spectrum anti-Gram-positive bacteria and anti-Gram-negative bacteria activity with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 22.5 µg/mL and 7.64% hemolysis activity, both of which were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the other peptides. Moreover, Ranatuerin-2YJ was widely distributed in the skin, liver, spleen, and blood of R. dybowskii, while the other 4 peptides could only be cloned from the skin, indicating that the Ranatuerin-2YJ in vivo plays an important role in the protection against pathogen invasion.

scholarly journals A narrative review of herbal preparations against RNA viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eghbal Jasemi ◽  
Saeideh Momtaz ◽  
Reza Ghaffarzadegan ◽  
Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari ◽  
Mohammad Abdollahi
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Synthetic Compound ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Approved Drugs ◽  
Almost All

Background: Throughout history, the plant kingdom has been a source of medicine in almost all cultures. Nowadays, ensuring the safety, quality, and effectiveness of medicinal herbs and their products has become an essential issue in industrialized and developing countries. Phytochemicals are usually involved in pharmacological actions and are used worldwide for various purposes, including the treatment of infectious diseases. Objectives: Although several therapeutics were designed to control infectious diseases, viral infections are still fatal. Currently, evidence extracted from in vivo, in vitro, and silico studies support the antiviral activity of many herbs scientifically; however, the therapeutic potential of many other herbs is still unknown. Plants and their products may potentially control the propagation of viruses in a variety of conditions. Methods: Data were extracted from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct from 1983-2020. We gathered a list of plant extracts, phytochemicals, and herbal formulations that can inhibit RNA viral infections, mainly those are originated from the coronaviruses family. We also provided an overview of their inhibitory mechanism of actions. Results: Plant families, including Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Myrtaceae, contain the highest number of species with anti-coronaviruses activities, respectively. Conclusion: It can be suggested that the combination of these antiviral ingredients with each other, any synthetic compound, or already approved drugs or inhibitors can be a novel approach for antiviral therapies.  

scholarly journals Identification of Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 as an Antiviral Molecule during Sindbis Virus Infection In Vivo

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (22) ◽  
pp. 13974-13983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah J. Lenschow ◽  
Nadia V. Giannakopoulos ◽  
Lacey J. Gunn ◽  
Christine Johnston ◽  
Andy K. O'Guin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Isg15 Expression ◽  
Interferon Stimulated Gene 15 ◽  
Β Receptor

ABSTRACT The innate immune response, and in particular the alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) system, plays a critical role in the control of viral infections. Interferons α and β exert their antiviral effects through the induction of hundreds of interferon-induced (or -stimulated) genes (ISGs). While several of these ISGs have characterized antiviral functions, their actions alone do not explain all of the effects mediated by IFN-α/β. To identify additional IFN-induced antiviral molecules, we utilized a recombinant chimeric Sindbis virus to express selected ISGs in IFN-α/β receptor (IFN-α/βR)−/− mice and looked for attenuation of Sindbis virus infection. Using this approach, we identified a ubiquitin homolog, interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), as having antiviral activity. ISG15 expression protected against Sindbis virus-induced lethality and decreased Sindbis virus replication in multiple organs without inhibiting the spread of virus throughout the host. We establish that, much like ubiquitin, ISG15 requires its C-terminal LRLRGG motif to form intracellular conjugates. Finally, we demonstrate that ISG15's LRLRGG motif is also required for its antiviral activity. We conclude that ISG15 can be directly antiviral.

scholarly journals A Lymphoid Organ Specific Anti-Lipopolysaccharide Factor from Litopenaeus vannamei Exhibits Strong Antimicrobial Activities

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Mingzhe Sun ◽  
Shihao Li ◽  
Xinjia Lv ◽  
Jianhai Xiang ◽  
Yuanan Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Litopenaeus Vannamei ◽  
Fenneropenaeus Chinensis ◽  
Antibacterial Activities ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Lymphoid Organ ◽  
Shrimp Species ◽  
New Findings ◽  
New Research

Different shrimp species are known to possess apparent distinct resistance to different pathogens in aquaculture. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this finding still remains unknown. One kind of important antimicrobial peptides, anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALF), exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. Here, we reported a newly identified ALF from the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and compared the immune function with its counterpart in the shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The ALF, designated as LvALF8, was specifically expressed in the lymphoid organ of L. vannamei. The expression level of LvALF8 was apparently changed after white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) or Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenges. The synthetic LBD peptide of LvALF8 (LvALF8-LBD) showed strong antibacterial activities against most tested Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. LvALF8-LBD could also inhibit the in vivo propagation of WSSV similar as FcALF8-LBD, the LBD of LvALF8 counterpart in F. chinensis. However, LvALF8-LBD and FcALF8-LBD exhibited apparently different antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus, the main pathogen causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) of affected shrimp. A structural analysis showed that the positive net charge and amphipathicity characteristics of LvALF8-LBD peptide were speculated as two important components for its enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to those of FcALF8-LBD. These new findings may not only provide some evidence to explain the distinct disease resistance among different shrimp species, but also lay out new research ground for the testing and development of LBD-originated antimicrobial peptides to control of shrimp diseases.

Reovirus triggers cell type-specific proinflammatory responses dependent on the autocrine action of IFN-β

2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (1) ◽  
pp. L18-L29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Hamamdzic ◽  
Taetia Phillips-Dorsett ◽  
Sanja Altman-Hamamdzic ◽  
Steven D. London ◽  
Lucille London
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Interleukin 8 ◽  
Fibroblast Cells ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Human Lung Fibroblast ◽  
Proinflammatory Responses ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Inducible Protein

Resident cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, including epithelial and fibroblast cells, are the initial sites of entry for many viral pathogens. We investigated the role that these cells play in the inflammatory process in response to infection with reovirus 1/L. In A549 human bronchial or HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells, interferon (IFN)-β, regulated on activation T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), IFN-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10, and interleukin-8 were upregulated regardless of whether cells were infected with replication-competent or replication-deficient reovirus 1/L. However, in CCD-34Lu human lung fibroblast cells, IFN-β, IP-10, and RANTES were expressed only after infection with replication-competent reovirus 1/L. Expression of interleukin-8 in CCD-34Lu fibroblast cells was viral replication independent. This differential expression of IFN-β, RANTES, and IP-10 was shown to be due to the lack of induction of IFN regulatory factor-1 and -2 in CCD-34Lu fibroblast cells treated with replication-deficient reovirus 1/L. We have shown that cytokine and/or chemokine expression may not be dependent on viral replication. Therefore, treatment of viral infections with inhibitors of replication may not effectively alleviate inflammatory mediators because most viral infections result in the generation of replication-competent and replication-deficient virions in vivo.

scholarly journals Exopolysaccharides as Antimicrobial Agents: Mechanism and Spectrum of Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelmoneim K. Abdalla ◽  
Mutamed M. Ayyash ◽  
Amin N. Olaimat ◽  
Tareq M. Osaili ◽  
Anas A. Al-Nabulsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Comprehensive Examination ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Pathogenic Microbes ◽  
Hydrolyzing Enzymes

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are metabolites synthesized and excreted by a variety of microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB). EPS serve several biological functions such as interactions between bacteria and their environments, protection against hostile conditions including dehydration, the alleviation of the action of toxic compounds (bile salts, hydrolyzing enzymes, lysozyme, gastric, and pancreatic enzymes, metal ions, antibiotics), and stresses (changing pH, osmolarity), and evasion of the immune response and phage attack. Bacterial EPSs are considered valuable by the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries, owing to their health-promoting benefits and rheological impacts. Numerous studies have reported the unusual antimicrobial activities of various EPS against a wide variety of pathogenic microbes (bacteria, virus, and fungi). This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities of different EPSs, mainly against foodborne bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. The mechanism of EPS action against these pathogens as well as the methods used to measure antimicrobial activities are critically reviewed.

scholarly journals Carrageenans as Broad-Spectrum Microbicides: Current Status and Challenges

Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Choongho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Red Algae ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Sulfated Polysaccharides ◽  
Future Research

Different kinds of red algae are enriched with chemically diverse carbohydrates. In particular, a group of sulfated polysaccharides, which were isolated from the cell walls of red algae, gained a large amount of attention due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. Within that group, carrageenans (CGs) were expected to be the first clinically applicable microbicides that could prevent various viral infections due to their superior antiviral potency and desirable safety profiles in subclinical studies. However, their anticipated beneficial effects could not be validated in human studies. To assess the value of a second attempt at pharmacologically developing CGs as a new class of preventive microbicides, all preclinical and clinical development processes of CG-based microbicides need to be thoroughly re-evaluated. In this review, the in vitro toxicities; in vivo safety profiles; and in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo antiviral activities of CGs are summarized according to the study volume of their target viruses, which include human immunodeficiency virus, herpesviruses, respiratory viruses, human papillomavirus, dengue virus, and other viruses along with a description of their antiviral modes of action and development of antiviral resistance. This evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of CGs will help provide future research directions that may lead to the successful development of CG-based antimicrobial prophylactics.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides From Butterflies: An Integrated Bioinformatics and Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Wang ◽  
Ziyue Zhou ◽  
Simin Li ◽  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Xianda Hu
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nucleic Acid Binding ◽  
Antibacterial And Antifungal Activities ◽  
Antibacterial And Antifungal ◽  
Biophysical Changes

Butterflies represent one of the largest animal groups on Earth, yet antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of this group are less studied in comparison with their moth counterparts. This study employed an integrated bioinformatics approach to survey natural AMPs from publicly available genomic datasets. Numerous AMPs, including cecropins, defensins, and moricins, were identified and subsequently used as templates for the design of a series of synthetic AMPs that mimicked the naturally occurring sequences. Despite differing biological effects among the various sequences, the synthetic AMPs exhibited potent antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro and in vivo, without inducing hemolysis, which implied their therapeutic potential in infectious diseases. Electron and confocal fluorescence microscopies revealed that the AMPs induced distinct morphological and biophysical changes on microbial cell membranes and nuclei, suggesting that the antimicrobial effects were related to a mechanism of membrane penetration and nucleic acid binding by the peptides. In conclusion, this study not only offers insights into butterfly AMPs but also provides a practical strategy for high-throughput natural AMP discoveries that will have implications for future research in this area.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document