Avinash Sonawane

Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein ESAT-6 is a potent activator of the NLRP3/ASC inflammasome.

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) represents one of the most important mediators of inflammation and host responses to infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of human tuberculosis, induces IL‐1β secretion at the site of infection, but the underlying mechanism(s) are poorly understood. In this work we show that Mtb infection of macrophages stimulates caspase‐1 activity and promotes the secretion of IL‐1β. This stimulation requires live intracellular bacteria expressing a functional ESX‐1 secretion system. ESAT‐6, an ESX‐1 substrate implicated in membrane damage, is both necessary and sufficient for caspase‐1 activation and IL‐1β secretion. ESAT‐6 promotes the access of other immunostimulatory agents such as AG85 into the macrophage cytosol, indicating that this protein may contribute to caspase‐1 activation largely by perturbing host cell membranes. Using a high‐throughput shRNA‐based screen we found that numerous NOD‐like receptors (NLRs) and CARD domain‐containing proteins (CARDs) were important for IL‐1β secretion upon Mtb infection. Most importantly, NLRP3, ASC and caspase‐1 form an infection‐inducible inflammasome complex that is essential for IL‐1β secretion. In summary, we show that recognition of Mtb infection by the NLRP3 inflammasome requires the activity of the bacterial virulence factor ESAT‐6, and the subsequent IL‐1β response is regulated by a number of NLR/CARD proteins.

An investigation on the antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antibiofilm efficacy of starch-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

The increased emergence of drug resistant microbes creates a major challenge to the scientific community for successful development of effective therapeutics. The antimicrobial activities of silver ions are well known, but limited information is available on the effects of green silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) on human pathogens. In this article, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of starch-stabilized AgNPs against a panel of human pathogens commonly associated with air, water and food borne infections. The shape and size distribution of AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. We showed that AgNPs were more effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens as compared with acid-fast bacteria. AgNPs were not cytotoxic to macrophages at the bactericidal concentration and can augment intracellular killing potential of macrophages. Furthermore, we showed that AgNPs disrupt biofilm formation and exhibit better antibacterial activity compared to human cationic antimicrobial peptide LL-37. In summary, our data suggest AgNPs as a promising template for the design of novel antibacterial agents.

Systematic deletion of Salmonella small RNA genes identifies CyaR, a conserved CRP-dependent riboregulator of OmpX synthesis.

Post‐transcriptional repression of porin synthesis has emerged as a major function of Hfq‐dependent, small non‐coding RNAs (sRNAs). Many enterobacteria express OmpX‐like porins, a family of outer membrane proteins whose physiological roles and structural properties have been studied intensively. While regulatory sRNAs have been identified for most major and many minor porins of Salmonella and Escherichia coli, a post‐transcriptional regulator of OmpX levels has never been found. Here, we have taken a ‘reverse target search’ approach by systematic inactivation of Salmonella sRNA genes, and screening 35 sRNA deletion strains for effects on OmpX synthesis. We have identified the Hfq‐dependent CyaR (formerly RyeE) sRNA as an ompX repressor. Global transcriptomic profiling following induction of CyaR expression suggests that ompX mRNA is the primary target of this sRNA under standard growth conditions. The results of phylogenetic and mutational analyses suggest that a conserved RNA hairpin of CyaR, featuring a C‐rich apical loop, acts to sequester the Shine–Dalgarno sequence of ompX mRNA and to inhibit translational initiation. We have also discovered that cyaR expression is tightly controlled by the cyclic AMP receptor protein, CRP. This represents a new link between porin repression and nutrient availability that is likely to be widely conserved among enterobacteria.

Toxicity and antibacterial assessment of chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles on human pathogens and macrophage cells

Background Pathogenic bacteria are able to develop various strategies to counteract the bactericidal action of antibiotics. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics because of their potent antimicrobial properties. The purpose of this study was to synthesize chitosan-stabilized AgNPs (CS-AgNPs) and test for their cytotoxic, genotoxic, macrophage cell uptake, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities. Methods AgNPs were synthesized using chitosan as both a stabilizing and a reducing agent. Antibacterial activity was determined by colony-forming unit assay and scanning electron microscopy. Genotoxic and cytotoxic activity were determined by DNA fragmentation, comet, and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assays. Cellular uptake and intracellular antibacterial activity were tested on macrophages. Results CS-AgNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against different human pathogens and also impeded bacterial biofilm formation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that CS-AgNPs kill bacteria by disrupting the cell membrane. CS-AgNPs showed no significant cytotoxic or DNA damage effect on macrophages at the bactericidal dose. Propidium iodide staining indicated active endocytosis of CS-AgNPs resulting in reduced intracellular bacterial survival in macrophages. Conclusion The present study concludes that at a specific dose, chitosan-based AgNPs kill bacteria without harming the host cells, thus representing a potential template for the design of antibacterial agents to decrease bacterial colonization and to overcome the problem of drug resistance.

Cathelicidin is involved in the intracellular killing of mycobacteria in macrophages

Macrophages have been shown to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis through the action of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin (CAMP), whose expression was shown to be induced by 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3). Here, we investigated in detail the antimycobacterial effect of murine and human cathelicidin against Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. bovis BCG infections. We have synthesized novel LL‐37 peptide variants that exhibited potent in vitro bactericidal activity against M. smegmatis, M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis H37Rv, as compared with parental peptide. We show that the exogenous addition of LL‐37 or endogenous overexpression of cathelicidin in macrophages significantly reduced the intracellular survival of mycobacteria relative to control cells. An upregulation of cathelicidin mRNA expression was observed that correlated with known M. smegmatis killing phases in J774 macrophages. Moreover, RNAi‐based Camp knock‐down macrophages and Camp−/− bone marrow derived mouse macrophages were significantly impaired in their ability to kill mycobacteria. M. smegmatis killing in Camp−/− macrophages was less extensive than in Camp+/+ cells following activation with FSL‐1, an inducer of cathelicidin expression. Finally we show that LL‐37 and 1,25D3 treatment results in increase in colocalization of BCG‐containing phagosomes with lysosomes. Altogether, these data demonstrate that cathelicidin plays an important role in controlling intracellular survival of mycobacteria.

Topical application of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduces bacterial skin infection in mice and exhibits antibacterial activity by inducing oxidative stress response and cell membrane disintegration in macrophages

UNLABELLED Here we studied immunological and antibacterial mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against human pathogens. ZnO-NPs showed more activity against Staphylococcus aureus and least against Mycobacterium bovis-BCG. However, BCG killing was significantly increased in synergy with antituberculous-drug rifampicin. Antibacterial mechanistic studies showed that ZnO-NPs disrupt bacterial cell membrane integrity, reduce cell surface hydrophobicity and down-regulate the transcription of oxidative stress-resistance genes in bacteria. ZnO-NP treatment also augmented the intracellular bacterial killing by inducing reactive oxygen species production and co-localization with Mycobacterium smegmatis-GFP in macrophages. Moreover, ZnO-NPs disrupted biofilm formation and inhibited hemolysis by hemolysin toxin producing S. aureus. Intradermal administration of ZnO-NPs significantly reduced the skin infection, bacterial load and inflammation in mice, and also improved infected skin architecture. We envision that this study offers novel insights into antimicrobial actions of ZnO-NPs and also demonstrates ZnO-NPs as a novel class of topical anti-infective agent for the treatment of skin infections. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR This in-depth study demonstrates properties of ZnO nanoparticles in infection prevention and treatment in several skin infection models, dissecting the potential mechanisms of action of these nanoparticles and paving the way to human applications.

Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides and Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Kill Mycobacteria without Eliciting DNA Damage and Cytotoxicity in Mouse Macrophages

ABSTRACT With the emergence of multidrug-resistant mycobacterial strains, better therapeutic strategies are required for the successful treatment of the infection. Although antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are becoming one of the popular antibacterial agents, their antimycobacterial potential is not fully evaluated. In this study, we synthesized biogenic-silver nanoparticles using bacterial, fungal, and plant biomasses and analyzed their antibacterial activities in combination with AMPs against mycobacteria. Mycobacterium smegmatis was found to be more susceptible to AgNPs compared to M. marinum. We found that NK-2 showed enhanced killing effect with NP-1 and NP-2 biogenic nanoparticles at a 0.5-ppm concentration, whereas LLKKK-18 showed antibacterial activity only with NP-2 at 0.5-ppm dose against M. smegmatis. In case of M. marinum NK-2 did not show any additive activity with NP-1 and NP-2 and LLKKK-18 alone completely inhibited the bacterial growth. Both NP-1 and NP-2 also showed increased killing of M. smegmatis in combination with the antituberculosis drug rifampin. The sizes and shapes of the AgNPs were determined by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. AgNPs showed no cytotoxic or DNA damage effects on macrophages at the mycobactericidal dose, whereas treatment with higher doses of AgNPs caused toxicity and micronuclei formation in cytokinesis blocked cells. Macrophages actively endocytosed fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled AgNPs resulting in nitric oxide independent intracellular killing of M. smegmatis. Apoptosis and cell cycle studies showed that treatment with higher dose of AgNPs arrested macrophages at the G1-phase. In summary, our data suggest the combined effect of biogenic-AgNPs and antimicrobial peptides as a promising antimycobacterial template.

Neutrophil Elastase, an Innate Immunity Effector Molecule, Represses Flagellin Transcription in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors triggers an innate immune response to colonizing or invading bacteria. Conversely, many bacteria have evolved mechanisms to dampen this response by downregulating the synthesis of such PAMPs. We have previously demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa growing in mucopurulent human respiratory mucus from cystic fibrosis patients represses the expression of its flagellin, a potent stimulant of the innate immune response. Here we demonstrate that this phenomenon occurs in response to the presence of neutrophil elastase in such mucus. Nonpurulent mucus from animals had no such repressive effect. Furthermore, lysed neutrophils from human blood reproduced the flagellin-repressive effect ex mucus and, significantly, had no effect on the viability of this organism. Neutrophil elastase, a component of the innate host defense system, has been described to be bactericidal for gram-negative bacteria and to degrade bacterial virulence factors. Thus, the resistance of P. aeruginosa to the bactericidal effect of neutrophil elastase, as well as this organisms ability to sense this enzymes presence and downregulate the synthesis of a PAMP, may be the key factors in allowing P. aeruginosa to colonize the lungs. These findings demonstrate the dynamic nature of this bacteriums response to host defenses that ensures its success as a colonizer and also highlights the dual nature of defense molecules that confer advantages and disadvantages to both hosts and pathogens.

Azurophil Granule Proteins Constitute the Major Mycobactericidal Proteins in Human Neutrophils and Enhance the Killing of Mycobacteria in Macrophages

Pathogenic mycobacteria reside in, and are in turn controlled by, macrophages. However, emerging data suggest that neutrophils also play a critical role in innate immunity to tuberculosis, presumably by their different antibacterial granule proteins. In this study, we purified neutrophil azurophil and specific granules and systematically analyzed the antimycobacterial activity of some purified azurophil and specific granule proteins against M. smegmatis, M. bovis-BCG and M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Using gel overlay and colony forming unit assays we showed that the defensin-depleted azurophil granule proteins (AZP) were more active against mycobacteria compared to other granule proteins and cytosolic proteins. The proteins showing antimycobacterial activity were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Electron microscopic studies demonstrate that the AZP disintegrate bacterial cell membrane resulting in killing of mycobacteria. Exogenous addition of AZP to murine macrophage RAW 264.7, THP-1 and peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages significantly reduced the intracellular survival of mycobacteria without exhibiting cytotoxic activity on macrophages. Immunofluorescence studies showed that macrophages actively endocytose neutrophil granular proteins. Treatment with AZP resulted in increase in co-localization of BCG containing phagosomes with lysosomes but not in increase of autophagy. These data demonstrate that neutrophil azurophil proteins may play an important role in controlling intracellular survival of mycobacteria in macrophages.

Antimicrobial peptides and proteins in mycobacterial therapy: Current status and future prospects

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), kills about 1.5 million people every year worldwide. An increase in the prevalence of drug-resistant strains of Mtb in the last few decades now necessitates the development of novel drugs that combat infections by both drug-sensitive and resistant Mtb. Moreover, as Mtb can persist in host cells by modulating their immune responses, it is essential that anti-TB agents be able to penetrate macrophages and kill the pathogen intracellularly without harming the host cells. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and proteins are being harnessed as anti-infective agents for the treatment of various diseases. Due to their direct and rapid bactericidal activity it is unlikely that pathogens acquire resistance against AMPs. Several short and potent AMP derivatives have been prepared by peptide engineering, and several of them are currently evaluated in clinical trials. The present review summarizes the role of endogenously expressed AMPs and proteins in the treatment of tuberculosis infections. In addition, mechanisms of direct anti-mycobacterial activity, manipulation of host immune responses, and future prospects of AMPs as therapeutic agents are discussed.