眼镜蛇科 cathelicidin 基因的分子克隆及活性研究

Cathelicidins 是天然免疫系统中的一种带正电的宿主防御肽段，它们广泛地 分布在哺乳类及其他一些物种如鱼类，鸟类中。它们均包含保守的前肽区和多变 的C-末端成熟抗菌肽区域，该抗菌肽区域无论是在种间还是种内都不保守。 我们首次分别从爬行纲眼镜蛇科的眼镜蛇，金环蛇，眼镜王蛇三种毒蛇的毒 腺cDNA 文库中克隆了3 个cathelicidin 编码序列。所克隆到的序列编码的开放 阅读框架均长576bp，编码191 个氨基酸残基组成的蛋白前体。从cDNA 开放阅 读框推导得到的毒蛇cathelicidin 都含有22 个氨基酸残基组成的信号肽， 135 个 氨基酸残基组成的cathelin 保守区域以及34 个氨基酸残基组成的成熟肽区域。 与哺乳类中的cathelicidin 基因的高度多样性不同，来源于3 种毒蛇的cathelicidin 基因在核酸和蛋白水平都比较保守。结构分析表明，以上3 种毒蛇的cathelicidin 成熟肽由第157 位的Val 被elastase 切割而产生。采用化学合成法合成推导得到 的眼镜王蛇的cathelicidin（OH-CATH）。在1% NaCl 的浓度下，该合成肽对测试 的多种细菌具有很强的抑菌活性，MIC 值为1-20 μg/ml。与此同时，即使当浓度 高达200 μg/ml 时，该合成的肽段对人的红细胞依然没有溶血活性。对脊椎动物 的cathelicidin 遗传进化树分析发现毒蛇类的cathelicidin 聚在一起。从进化上看， 蛇的cathelicidin 与来源于小鼠、大鼠、兔的中性粒细胞颗粒蛋白更接近。毒蛇 的cathelicidin 可能为新药开发提供了一个很好的模板。

金环蛇抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF及其基因和应用

一种金环蛇抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF及其基因和应用，属生物医学领域。 Cathelicidin-BF是一种直链多肽，含有三十个氨基酸残基，分子量3637.54Da，等电点11.79。cathelicidin-BF全序列为：赖氨酸-苯丙氨酸-苯丙氨酸-精氨酸-赖氨酸-亮氨酸-赖氨酸-赖氨酸-丝氨酸-缬氨酸-赖氨酸-赖氨酸 -精氨酸-丙氨酸-赖氨酸-谷氨酸-苯丙氨酸-苯丙氨酸-赖氨酸-赖氨酸 -脯氨酸-精氨酸-缬氨酸-异亮氨酸-甘氨酸-缬氨酸-丝氨酸-异亮氨酸 -脯氨酸-苯丙氨酸。编码cathelicidin-BF的基因由750个核苷酸组成，其中编码成熟肽部分的为第484-573位核苷酸。Cathelicidin-BF分子量小、杀菌作用强、作用时间迅速、对多种临床耐药菌有非常强的杀灭作用。此外还具有广谱抗菌和非盐依赖等有益特点。

金环蛇抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF变异体cathelicidin-BF15及其应用

本发明涉及一种金环蛇抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF变异体cathelicidin- BF15及其应用，属于生物医学领域。金环蛇抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF变异体 cathelicidin-BF15是一种直链多肽，含有15个氨基酸残基，分子量1939.47Da，等电点12.05。cathelicidin-BF15全序列为：缬氨酸-赖氨酸-精氨酸-苯丙氨酸-赖氨酸-赖氨酸-苯丙氨酸-苯丙氨酸-精氨酸-赖氨酸-亮氨酸-赖氨酸-赖氨酸-丝氨酸-缬氨酸。cathelicidin-BF15具有强烈的杀菌作用，对多种临床耐药菌有非常强的杀灭作用，此外具有结构简单，人工合成方便和广谱抗菌等有益特点。

Novel cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides from Equus asinus

In the present study, EA-CATH1 and EA-CATH2 were identified from a constructed lung cDNA library of donkey (Equus asinus) as members of cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides, using a nested PCR-based cloning strategy. Composed of 25 and 26 residues, respectively, EA-CATH1 and EA-CATH2 are smaller than most other cathelicidins and have no sequence homology to other cathelicidins identified to date. Chemically synthesized EA-CATH1 exerted potent antimicrobial activity against most of the 32 strains of bacteria and fungi tested, especially the clinically isolated drug-resistant strains, and minimal inhibitory concentration values against Gram-positive bacteria were mostly in the range of 0.3-2.4 mu g center dot mL-1. EA-CATH1 showed an extraordinary serum stability and no haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes in a dose up to 20 mu g center dot mL-1. CD spectra showed that EA-CATH1 mainly adopts an alpha-helical conformation in a 50% trifluoroethanol/water solution, but a random coil in aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscope observations of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC2592) treated with EA-CATH1 demonstrated that EA-CATH could cause rapid disruption of the bacterial membrane, and in turn lead to cell lysis. This might explain the much faster killing kinetics of EA-CATH1 than conventional antibiotics revealed by killing kinetics data. In the presence of CaCl2, EA-CATH1 exerted haemagglutination activity, which might potentiate an inhibition against the bacterial polyprotein interaction with the host erythrocyte surface, thereby possibly restricting bacterial colonization and spread.

爬行动物cathelicidin抗菌肽及衍生物及其应用

本发明提供了来源于爬行动物的爬行动物cathelicidin抗菌肽，所述抗菌肽具有选自序列表SEQ ID NO：1所示的氨基酸序列，本发明还涉及其衍生物以及其应用。爬行动物 cathelicidin抗菌肽及其衍生物具有抗细菌和抗真菌性质，尤其是对临床耐药细菌有很好的抑制作用，且具有结构简单、人工合成方便、抗菌谱系广的有益特点。它们可以应用于抗微生物感染制剂的制备，用于人和动物的治疗。

Two cathelicidin genes are present in both rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Further to the previous finding of the rainbow trout rtCATH_1 gene, this paper describes three more cathelicidin genes found in salmonids: two in Atlantic salmon, named asCATH_1 and asCATH_2, and one in rainbow trout, named rtCATH_2. All the three new salmonid cathelicidin genes share the common characteristics of mammalian cathelicidin genes, such as consisting of four exons and possessing a highly conserved preproregion and four invariant cysteines clustered in the C-terminal region of the cathelin-like domain. The asCATH_1 gene is homologous to the rainbow trout rtCATH_1 gene, in that it possesses three repeat motifs of TGGGGGTGGC in exon IV and two cysteine residues in the predicted mature peptide, while the asCATH_2 gene and rtCATH_2 gene are homologues of each other, with 96% nucleotide identity. Salmonid cathelicidins possess the same elastase-sensitive residue, threonine, as hagfish cathelicidins and the rabbit CAP18 molecule. The cleavage site of the four salmonid cathelicidins is within a conserved amino acid motif of QKIRTRR, which is at the beginning of the sequence encoded by exon W. Two 36-residue peptides corresponding to the core part of rtCATH_1 and rtCATH_2 were chemically synthesized and shown to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity. rtCATH_2 was expressed constitutively in gill, head kidney, intestine, skin and spleen, while the expression of rtCATH_1 was inducible in gill, head kidney, and spleen after bacterial challenge. Four cathelicidin genes have now been characterized in salmonids and two were identified in hagfish, confirming that cathelicidin genes evolved early and are likely present in all vertebrates.

Identification of a novel cathelicidin gene in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

We report the cloning of a novel antimicrobial peptide gene, termed rtCATH_1, found in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The predicted 216-residue rtCATH_1 prepropeptide consists of three domains: a 22-residue signal peptide, a 128-residue cathelin-like region containing two identifiable cathelicidin family signatures, and a predicted 66-residue C-terminal cationic antimicrobial peptide. This predicted mature peptide was unique in possessing features of different known (mammalian) cathelicidin subgroups, such as the cysteine-bridged family and the specific amino-acid-rich family. The rtCATH_1 gene comprises four exons, as seen in all known mammalian cathelicidin genes, and several transcription factor binding sites known to be of relevance to host defenses were identified in the 5' flanking region. By Northern blot analysis, the expression of rtCATH_1 was detected in gill, head kidney, and spleen of bacterially challenged fish. Primary cultures of head kidney leukocytes from rainbow trout stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or poly(I (.) C) also expressed riCATH_1. A 36-residue peptide corresponding to the core part of the fish cathelicidin was chemically synthesized and shown to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity and a low hemolytic effect. Thus, rtCATH_1 represents a novel antimicrobial peptide gene belonging to the cathelicidin family and may play an important role in the innate immunity of rainbow trout.

金环蛇抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF的纯化、基因克隆、结构与功能分析及抗菌机理研究

Cathelicidins是动物体内一个具有多功能的抗菌肽家族，目前仅在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和鱼类中有发现。Cathelicidins具有广谱的抗微生物活性，不但对普通革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌、真菌以及病毒具有非常强的活性，而且对许多临床耐药微生物同样具有作用。除此之外，cathelicidins具有许多其他生物学活性，如对多种免疫细胞具有趋化作用、诱导肥大细胞脱粒和组织胺释放、调节巨噬细胞转录、促进伤口愈合、诱导血管发生、诱导变异细胞系细胞凋亡和淋巴细胞活化等。 金环蛇（Bungarus fasciatus）属于眼镜蛇科（Elapinae）环蛇属（Bungarus），是一种具有前沟牙的毒蛇，广泛分布于我国广东、广西、福建、江西、海南及云南南部。 在本论文中，我们对金环蛇体内cathelicidins家族抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF进行了一系列研究。 通过凝胶过滤、阳离子交换和反相高压液相三步从金环蛇蛇毒冻干粉中分离纯化得到金环蛇cathelicidins家族抗菌肽，命名为cathelicidin-BF。Edman降解法测定其氨基酸序列为KFFRKLKKSVKKRAKEFFKKPRVIGVSIPF，由30个氨基酸残基组成，ESI-MS测得其分子量为3637.5 Da。 构建了金环蛇毒腺cDNA文库，从中克隆得到了编码cathelicidin-BF前体的cDNA序列。该cDNA序列长度为750 bp，由此推断出的cathelicidin-BF前体由191个氨基酸残基组成，包括信号肽区、保守的cathelin区和成熟肽区三部分。用RT-PCR的方法对cathelicidin-BF的组织表达情况进行了研究，结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇胃、气管、皮肤、肌肉、心脏、肾脏、肺、脑、小肠、脾脏、肝脏、卵巢、毒腺中均有表达，但各组织表达量存在差异。进化分析表明，金环蛇cathelicidin-BF与鸭嘴兽CATH-3在系统进化树中独立成簇，表明金环蛇与鸭嘴兽有着一定的亲缘关系，这为鸭嘴兽在动物进化中分类地位的确定提供了参考资料。 对cathelicidin-BF可能具有的各种生物学活性进行了研究。Cathelicidin-BF具有广谱的抗微生物活性，对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌和真菌均有活性，Cathelicidins是动物体内一个具有多功能的抗菌肽家族，目前仅在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和鱼类中有发现。Cathelicidins具有广谱的抗微生物活性，不但对普通革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌、真菌以及病毒具有非常强的活性，而且对许多临床耐药微生物同样具有作用。除此之外，cathelicidins具有许多其他生物学活性，如对多种免疫细胞具有趋化作用、诱导肥大细胞脱粒和组织胺释放、调节巨噬细胞转录、促进伤口愈合、诱导血管发生、诱导变异细胞系细胞凋亡和淋巴细胞活化等。 金环蛇（Bungarus fasciatus）属于眼镜蛇科（Elapinae）环蛇属（Bungarus），是一种具有前沟牙的毒蛇，广泛分布于我国广东、广西、福建、江西、海南及云南南部。 在本论文中，我们对金环蛇体内cathelicidins家族抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF进行了一系列研究。 通过凝胶过滤、阳离子交换和反相高压液相三步从金环蛇蛇毒冻干粉中分离纯化得到金环蛇cathelicidins家族抗菌肽，命名为cathelicidin-BF。Edman降解法测定其氨基酸序列为KFFRKLKKSVKKRAKEFFKKPRVIGVSIPF，由30个氨基酸残基组成，ESI-MS测得其分子量为3637.5 Da。 构建了金环蛇毒腺cDNA文库，从中克隆得到了编码cathelicidin-BF前体的cDNA序列。该cDNA序列长度为750 bp，由此推断出的cathelicidin-BF前体由191个氨基酸残基组成，包括信号肽区、保守的cathelin区和成熟肽区三部分。用RT-PCR的方法对cathelicidin-BF的组织表达情况进行了研究，结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇胃、气管、皮肤、肌肉、心脏、肾脏、肺、脑、小肠、脾脏、肝脏、卵巢、毒腺中均有表达，但各组织表达量存在差异。进化分析表明，金环蛇cathelicidin-BF与鸭嘴兽CATH-3在系统进化树中独立成簇，表明金环蛇与鸭嘴兽有着一定的亲缘关系，这为鸭嘴兽在动物进化中分类地位的确定提供了参考资料。 对cathelicidin-BF可能具有的各种生物学活性进行了研究。Cathelicidin-BF具有广谱的抗微生物活性，对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌和真菌均有活性，Cathelicidins是动物体内一个具有多功能的抗菌肽家族，目前仅在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和鱼类中有发现。Cathelicidins具有广谱的抗微生物活性，不但对普通革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌、真菌以及病毒具有非常强的活性，而且对许多临床耐药微生物同样具有作用。除此之外，cathelicidins具有许多其他生物学活性，如对多种免疫细胞具有趋化作用、诱导肥大细胞脱粒和组织胺释放、调节巨噬细胞转录、促进伤口愈合、诱导血管发生、诱导变异细胞系细胞凋亡和淋巴细胞活化等。 金环蛇（Bungarus fasciatus）属于眼镜蛇科（Elapinae）环蛇属（Bungarus），是一种具有前沟牙的毒蛇，广泛分布于我国广东、广西、福建、江西、海南及云南南部。 在本论文中，我们对金环蛇体内cathelicidins家族抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF进行了一系列研究。 通过凝胶过滤、阳离子交换和反相高压液相三步从金环蛇蛇毒冻干粉中分离纯化得到金环蛇cathelicidins家族抗菌肽，命名为cathelicidin-BF。Edman降解法测定其氨基酸序列为KFFRKLKKSVKKRAKEFFKKPRVIGVSIPF，由30个氨基酸残基组成，ESI-MS测得其分子量为3637.5 Da。 构建了金环蛇毒腺cDNA文库，从中克隆得到了编码cathelicidin-BF前体的cDNA序列。该cDNA序列长度为750 bp，由此推断出的cathelicidin-BF前体由191个氨基酸残基组成，包括信号肽区、保守的cathelin区和成熟肽区三部分。用RT-PCR的方法对cathelicidin-BF的组织表达情况进行了研究，结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇胃、气管、皮肤、肌肉、心脏、肾脏、肺、脑、小肠、脾脏、肝脏、卵巢、毒腺中均有表达，但各组织表达量存在差异。进化分析表明，金环蛇cathelicidin-BF与鸭嘴兽CATH-3在系统进化树中独立成簇，表明金环蛇与鸭嘴兽有着一定的亲缘关系，这为鸭嘴兽在动物进化中分类地位的确定提供了参考资料。 对cathelicidin-BF可能具有的各种生物学活性进行了研究。Cathelicidin-BF具有广谱的抗微生物活性，对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌和真菌均有活性，Cathelicidins是动物体内一个具有多功能的抗菌肽家族，目前仅在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和鱼类中有发现。Cathelicidins具有广谱的抗微生物活性，不但对普通革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌、真菌以及病毒具有非常强的活性，而且对许多临床耐药微生物同样具有作用。除此之外，cathelicidins具有许多其他生物学活性，如对多种免疫细胞具有趋化作用、诱导肥大细胞脱粒和组织胺释放、调节巨噬细胞转录、促进伤口愈合、诱导血管发生、诱导变异细胞系细胞凋亡和淋巴细胞活化等。 金环蛇（Bungarus fasciatus）属于眼镜蛇科（Elapinae）环蛇属（Bungarus），是一种具有前沟牙的毒蛇，广泛分布于我国广东、广西、福建、江西、海南及云南南部。 在本论文中，我们对金环蛇体内cathelicidins家族抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF进行了一系列研究。 通过凝胶过滤、阳离子交换和反相高压液相三步从金环蛇蛇毒冻干粉中分离纯化得到金环蛇cathelicidins家族抗菌肽，命名为cathelicidin-BF。Edman降解法测定其氨基酸序列为KFFRKLKKSVKKRAKEFFKKPRVIGVSIPF，由30个氨基酸残基组成，ESI-MS测得其分子量为3637.5 Da。 构建了金环蛇毒腺cDNA文库，从中克隆得到了编码cathelicidin-BF前体的cDNA序列。该cDNA序列长度为750 bp，由此推断出的cathelicidin-BF前体由191个氨基酸残基组成，包括信号肽区、保守的cathelin区和成熟肽区三部分。用RT-PCR的方法对cathelicidin-BF的组织表达情况进行了研究，结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇胃、气管、皮肤、肌肉、心脏、肾脏、肺、脑、小肠、脾脏、肝脏、卵巢、毒腺中均有表达，但各组织表达量存在差异。进化分析表明，金环蛇cathelicidin-BF与鸭嘴兽CATH-3在系统进化树中独立成簇，表明金环蛇与鸭嘴兽有着一定的亲缘关系，这为鸭嘴兽在动物进化中分类地位的确定提供了参考资料。 对cathelicidin-BF可能具有的各种生物学活性进行了研究。Cathelicidin-BF具有广谱的抗微生物活性，对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌和真菌均有活性，Cathelicidins是动物体内一个具有多功能的抗菌肽家族，目前仅在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和鱼类中有发现。Cathelicidins具有广谱的抗微生物活性，不但对普通革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌、真菌以及病毒具有非常强的活性，而且对许多临床耐药微生物同样具有作用。除此之外，cathelicidins具有许多其他生物学活性，如对多种免疫细胞具有趋化作用、诱导肥大细胞脱粒和组织胺释放、调节巨噬细胞转录、促进伤口愈合、诱导血管发生、诱导变异细胞系细胞凋亡和淋巴细胞活化等。 金环蛇（Bungarus fasciatus）属于眼镜蛇科（Elapinae）环蛇属（Bungarus），是一种具有前沟牙的毒蛇，广泛分布于我国广东、广西、福建、江西、海南及云南南部。 在本论文中，我们对金环蛇体内cathelicidins家族抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF进行了一系列研究。 通过凝胶过滤、阳离子交换和反相高压液相三步从金环蛇蛇毒冻干粉中分离纯化得到金环蛇cathelicidins家族抗菌肽，命名为cathelicidin-BF。Edman降解法测定其氨基酸序列为KFFRKLKKSVKKRAKEFFKKPRVIGVSIPF，由30个氨基酸残基组成，ESI-MS测得其分子量为3637.5 Da。 构建了金环蛇毒腺cDNA文库，从中克隆得到了编码cathelicidin-BF前体的cDNA序列。该cDNA序列长度为750 bp，由此推断出的cathelicidin-BF前体由191个氨基酸残基组成，包括信号肽区、保守的cathelin区和成熟肽区三部分。用RT-PCR的方法对cathelicidin-BF的组织表达情况进行了研究，结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇胃、气管、皮肤、肌肉、心脏、肾脏、肺、脑、小肠、脾脏、肝脏、卵巢、毒腺中均有表达，但各组织表达量存在差异。进化分析表明，金环蛇cathelicidin-BF与鸭嘴兽CATH-3在系统进化树中独立成簇，表明金环蛇与鸭嘴兽有着一定的亲缘关系，这为鸭嘴兽在动物进化中分类地位的确定提供了参考资料。 对cathelicidin-BF可能具有的各种生物学活性进行了研究。Cathelicidin-BF具有广谱的抗微生物活性，对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌和真菌均有活性，Cathelicidins是动物体内一个具有多功能的抗菌肽家族，目前仅在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和鱼类中有发现。Cathelicidins具有广谱的抗微生物活性，不但对普通革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌、真菌以及病毒具有非常强的活性，而且对许多临床耐药微生物同样具有作用。除此之外，cathelicidins具有许多其他生物学活性，如对多种免疫细胞具有趋化作用、诱导肥大细胞脱粒和组织胺释放、调节巨噬细胞转录、促进伤口愈合、诱导血管发生、诱导变异细胞系细胞凋亡和淋巴细胞活化等。 金环蛇（Bungarus fasciatus）属于眼镜蛇科（Elapinae）环蛇属（Bungarus），是一种具有前沟牙的毒蛇，广泛分布于我国广东、广西、福建、江西、海南及云南南部。 在本论文中，我们对金环蛇体内cathelicidins家族抗菌肽cathelicidin-BF进行了一系列研究。 通过凝胶过滤、阳离子交换和反相高压液相三步从金环蛇蛇毒冻干粉中分离纯化得到金环蛇cathelicidins家族抗菌肽，命名为cathelicidin-BF。Edman降解法测定其氨基酸序列为KFFRKLKKSVKKRAKEFFKKPRVIGVSIPF，由30个氨基酸残基组成，ESI-MS测得其分子量为3637.5 Da。 构建了金环蛇毒腺cDNA文库，从中克隆得到了编码cathelicidin-BF前体的cDNA序列。该cDNA序列长度为750 bp，由此推断出的cathelicidin-BF前体由191个氨基酸残基组成，包括信号肽区、保守的cathelin区和成熟肽区三部分。用RT-PCR的方法对cathelicidin-BF的组织表达情况进行了研究，结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇胃、气管、皮肤、肌肉、心脏、肾脏、肺、脑、小肠、脾脏、肝脏、卵巢、毒腺中均有表达，但各组织表达量存在差异。进化分析表明，金环蛇cathelicidin-BF与鸭嘴兽CATH-3在系统进化树中独立成簇，表明金环蛇与鸭嘴兽有着一定的亲缘关系，这为鸭嘴兽在动物进化中分类地位的确定提供了参考资料。 对cathelicidin-BF可能具有的各种生物学活性进行了研究。Cathelicidin-BF具有广谱的抗微生物活性，对革兰氏阳性细菌、革兰氏阴性细菌和真菌均有活性，其中包括大量临床分离耐药菌株。Cathelicidin-BF对革兰氏阴性细菌的活性要强于革兰氏阳性细菌，此外对白色念珠菌、毕赤酵母和一些腐生性真菌也具有活性。Cathelicidin-BF的抗氧化活性、溶血活性、凝集素活性、丝氨酸蛋白酶和丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂活性、细胞毒性、抗肿瘤活性均不明显。Cathelicidin-BF具有很强的肥大细胞脱颗粒活性。以上结果表明cathelicidin-BF在金环蛇抵御外界病原微生物侵袭的先天免疫反应中可能发挥了重要作用。 利用多种实验方法对cathelicidin-BF的结构和抗菌机理进行了研究。CD和NMR的实验结果表明，在亲水环境中，cathelicidin-BF为无规卷曲的构象；在疏水或模拟细菌细胞质膜的环境中，cathelicidin-BF的N-末端区域具有典型的两亲性α-螺旋构象。杀菌动力学实验结果表明，cathelicidin-BF杀菌作用极其迅速，在浓度大于1×MIC时，在1 min内即可杀死所有细菌，且其杀菌作用是致死性的。扫描电镜结果表明，经过cathelicidin-BF处理的细菌细胞形状发生明显改变，细胞膨胀变形，表面出现大量囊泡状结构。大量细菌细胞破裂溶解，内容物外泄。综合以上结果我们推测：cathelicidin-BF在亲水的环境中为无规卷曲的结构，当通过静电相互作用吸附到细菌细胞质膜上后，由于环境疏水性的增加其N-端转变为两亲性的α-螺旋构象。Cathelicidin-BF的疏水侧插入到细菌细胞质膜内部，亲水侧暴露于细菌细胞质膜表面。随着结合到细菌细胞质膜上的cathelicidin-BF分子不断增加，细菌细胞质膜内陷，最终在细菌细胞质膜上形成孔洞。细菌细胞内容物大量外流，最终导致细菌细胞的死亡。 通过体外和体内多个实验对cathelicidin-BF进行了初步的药理学和药效学研究。Cathelicidin-BF在血清中稳定性较差，容易被血清中各种蛋白酶降解。一定浓度的盐离子能够增强cathelicidin-BF的抗菌活性。动物模型实验表明，cathelicidin-BF对多种细菌引起的小鼠皮肤感染具有很好的治疗效果。Cathelicidin-BF本身所具有的特点及动物模型实验中表现出的极佳的治疗效果使其成为外用抗菌药物开发的优良模板。

A helminth cathelicidin-like protein suppresses antigen processing and presentation in macrophages via inhibition of lysosomal vATPase

We previously reported the identification of a novel family of immunomodulatory proteins, termed helminth defense molecules (HDMs), that are secreted by medically important trematode parasites. Since HDMs share biochemical, structural, and functional characteristics with mammalian cathelicidin-like host defense peptides (HDPs), we proposed that HDMs modulate the immune response via molecular mimicry of host molecules. In the present study, we report the mechanism by which HDMs influence the function of macrophages. We show that the HDM secreted by Fasciola hepatica (FhHDM-1) binds to macrophage plasma membrane lipid rafts via selective interaction with phospholipids and/or cholesterol before being internalized by endocytosis. Following internalization, FhHDM-1 is rapidly processed by lysosomal cathepsin L to release a short C-terminal peptide (containing a conserved amphipathic helix that is a key to HDM function), which then prevents the acidification of the endolysosomal compartments by inhibiting vacuolar ATPase activity. The resulting endolysosomal alkalization impedes macrophage antigen processing and prevents the transport of peptides to the cell surface in conjunction with MHC class II for presentation to CD4(+) T cells. Thus, we have elucidated a novel mechanism by which helminth pathogens alter innate immune cell function to assist their survival in the host.-Robinson, M. W., Alvarado, R., To, J., Hutchinson, A. T., Dowdell, S. N., Lund, M., Turnbull, L., Whitchurch, C. B., O'Brien, B. A., Dalton, J. P., Donnelly, S. A helminth cathelicidin-like protein suppresses antigen processing and presentation in macrophages via inhibition of lysosomal vATPase.

Cathelicidin-like Helminth Defence Molecules (HDMs):Absence of Cytotoxic, Anti-microbial and Anti-protozoan Activities Imply a Specific Adaptation to Immune Modulation

Host defence peptides (HDPs) are expressed throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. They have multifunctional roles in the defence against infectious agents of mammals, possessing both bactericidal and immune-modulatory activities. We have identified a novel family of molecules secreted by helminth parasites (helminth defence molecules; HDMs) that exhibit similar structural and biochemical characteristics to the HDPs. Here, we have analyzed the functional activities of four HDMs derived from Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica and compared them to human, mouse, bovine and sheep HDPs. Unlike the mammalian HDPs the helminth-derived HDMs show no antimicrobial activity and are non-cytotoxic to mammalian cells (macrophages and red blood cells). However, both the mammalian- and helminth-derived peptides suppress the activation of macrophages by microbial stimuli and alter the response of B cells to cytokine stimulation. Therefore, we hypothesise that HDMs represent a novel family of HDPs that evolved to regulate the immune responses of their mammalian hosts by retaining potent immune modulatory properties without causing deleterious cytotoxic effects.

Cathelicidin LL-37:a defense molecule with a potential role in psoriasis pathogenesis

Epidermal keratinocytes produce and secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that subsequently form a chemical shield on the skin surface. Cathelicidins are one family of AMPs in skin with various further immune functions. Consequently, dysfunction of these peptides has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disease. In particular, the cathelicidin LL-37 is overexpressed in inflamed skin in psoriasis, binds to extracellular self-DNA released from dying cells and converts self-DNA in a potent stimulus for plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Subsequently, pDCs secrete type I interferons and trigger an auto-inflammatory cascade. Paradoxically, therapies targeting the vitamin D pathway such as vitamin D analogues or UVB phototherapy ameliorate cutaneous inflammation in psoriasis but strongly induce cathelicidin expression in skin at the same time. Current evidence now suggests that self-DNA present in the cytosol of keratinocytes is also pro-inflammatory active and triggers IL-1β secretion in psoriatic lesions through the AIM2 inflammasome. This time, however, binding of LL-37 to self-DNA neutralizes DNA-mediated inflammation. Hence, cathelicidin LL-37 shows contrasting roles in skin inflammation in psoriasis and might serve as a target for novel therapies for this chronic skin disease.

VDR and MEK-ERK dependent induction of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin in keratinocytes by lithocholic acid

Cathelicidin is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and signaling molecule in innate immunity and a direct target of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) in primary human keratinocytes (NHEK). The expression of cathelicidin is dysregulated in various skin diseases and its regulation differs depending on the epithelial cell type. The secondary bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA) is a ligand of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and can carry out in vivo functions of vitamin D3. Therefore we analyzed cathelicidin mRNA- and peptide expression levels in NHEK and colonic epithelial cells (Caco-2) after stimulation with LCA. We found increased expression of cathelicidin mRNA and peptide in NHEK, in Caco-2 colon cells no effect was observed after LCA stimulation. The VDR as well as MEK-ERK signaled the upregulation of cathelicidin in NHEK induced by LCA. Collectively, our data indicate that cathelicidin induction upon LCA treatment differs in keratinocytes and colonic epithelial cells. Based on these observations LCA-like molecules targeting cathelicidin could be designed for the treatment of cutaneous diseases that are characterized by disturbed cathelicidin expression.

The role of the cathelicidin LL-37 in periodontal disease.

Abstract Background Fibroblasts respond to bacterial stimulation by producing an array of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. As such fibroblasts play a significant role as regulators of the host response in periodontal disease. LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide, found in saliva and GCF, inhibits LPS-induced cytokine signalling in macrophages, suggesting a role in host defence in periodontal disease. This study investigated the interaction between LL-37 and gingival fibroblasts – both its direct regulation of fibroblast activity and also its effect on fibroblast response to LPS activation. Methods Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were incubated for 24 hours in the presence of either P. gingivalis LPS (10µg/ml) or E. coli LPS (0.01µg/ml) along with LL-37 (0-50µg/ml). IL-6 and IL-8 production by HGFs in the conditioned medium was determined by ELISA. DNA microarray analysis was performed on cell populations incubated for 6 hr in the presence or absence of the peptide. Results At low concentrations (≤ 5 µg/ml) LL-37 significantly inhibited LPS-induced cytokine production by HGFs. At higher concentrations LL37 induced IL-8 production independent of LPS. Microarray analysis revealed that LL-37 upregulated a significant number of cytokines and chemokines by > 5 fold. The stimulatory effect on IL-8 mRNA expression was confirmed by Q-PCR. Conclusion LL-37 appears to have pleiotrophic effects in innate immunity. Its ability, at low concentrations, to reduce bacterial LPS-induced cytokine production in gingival fibroblasts suggests a potential therapeutic role in the management of periodontal disease.

Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Antimicrobial Peptides Human Beta-Defensin-3 (hBD-3) and Cathelicidin (LL-37) in a Three-Dimensional Co-Culture Model of Gingival Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts

Given the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens, antimicrobial peptides that can also modulate the immune response may be a novel approach for effectively controlling periodontal infections. In the present study, we used a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture model of gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts stimulated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of human beta-defensin-3 (hBD-3) and cathelicidin (LL-37) and to determine whether these antimicrobial peptides can act in synergy. The 3D co-culture model composed of gingival fibroblasts embedded in a collagen matrix overlaid with gingival epithelial cells had a synergistic effect with respect to the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 in response to LPS stimulation compared to fibroblasts and epithelial cells alone. The 3D co-culture model was stimulated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of hBD-3 (10 and 20 mu M) and LL-37 (0.1 and 0.2 mu M) individually and in combination in the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS. A multiplex ELISA assay was used to quantify the secretion of 41 different cytokines. hBD-3 and LL-37 acted in synergy to reduce the secretion of GRO-alpha, G-CSF, IP-10, IL-6, and MCP-1, but only had an additive effect on reducing the secretion of IL-8 in response to A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS stimulation. The present study showed that hBD-3 acted in synergy with LL-37 to reduce the secretion of cytokines by an LPS-stimulated 3D model of gingival mucosa. This combination of antimicrobial peptides thus shows promising potential as an adjunctive therapy for treating inflammatory periodontitis.

Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate and cranberry proanthocyanidins act in synergy with cathelicidin (LL-37) to reduce the LPS-induced inflammatory response in a three-dimensional co-culture model of gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts

Objectives: The human antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin (LL-37) possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may contribute to attenuating the inflammatory process associated with chronic periodontitis. Plant polyphenols, including those from cranberry and green tea, have been reported to reduce inflammatory cytokine secretion by host cells. In the present study, we hypothesized that A-type cranberry proanthocyanidins (AC-PACs) and green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) act in synergy with LL-37 to reduce the secretion of inflammatory mediators by oral mucosal cells. Methods: A three-dimensional (3D) co-culture model of gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of AC-PACs (25 and 50 mg/ml), EGCG (1 and 5 mg/ml), and LL-37 (0.1 and 0.2 mM) individually and in combination (AC-PACs + LL-37 and EGCG + LL-37) were stimulated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Multiplex ELISA assays were used to quantify the secretion of 54 host factors, including chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Results: LL-37, AC-PACs, and EGCG, individually or in combination, had no effect on the regulation of MMP and TIMP secretion but inhibited the secretion of several cytokines. ACPACs and LL-37 acted in synergy to reduce the secretion of CXC-chemokine ligand 1 (GRO-a), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and had an additive effect on reducing the secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8), interferon-g inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in response to LPS stimulation. EGCG and LL-37 acted in synergy to reduce the secretion of GRO-a, G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, and IP-10, and had an additive effect on MCP-1 secretion. Conclusion: The combination of LL-37 and natural polyphenols from cranberry and green tea acted in synergy to reduce the secretion of several cytokines by an LPS-stimulated 3D coculture model of oral mucosal cells. Such combinations show promising results as potential adjunctive therapies for treating inflammatory periodontitis.