Protective efficacy of a peptide derived from a potential adhesin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa against corneal infection. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Qing; Wu, Yuting; Wang, Yiqiang; Chen, Lin; Qu, Mingli; Duan, Kangmin; Zhao, Ge
• Is Part Of: Experimental eye research. Volume 143(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Adhesin -- Peptide -- Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- Protection -- Keratitis; HmpA hypothetical membrane protein -- PRRs pattern recognition receptors -- HCEC human corneal epithelial cells -- CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator -- ARVO Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Periodicals; Œil -- Périodiques; Ophthalmology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-4835

Abstract

Abstract: Dissecting the interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and corneal cells is important to identify a novel target for prevention and treatment of Pseudomonas keratitis. The current study began with a peptide identified by phage display, and was to investigate the protective efficacy against P. aeruginosa infection in cornea. The original peptide Pc-E, with high homology to a hypothetical membrane protein (HmpA) in P. aeruginosa, and the derived peptide Pc-EP, with the same sequence as a region in HmpA, were synthesized. Peptide Pc-EP could directly bind to HCEC, stronger than Pc-E, and specifically activate toll-like receptor 5, and thereby significantly induce the production of pro-inflammatory factors, such as IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-17. Moreover, Pc-EP could act as an antagonist to inhibit the adhesion of wild-type P. aeruginosa to HCEC and mouse corneas. No inhibitory effect was observed on the adhesion of the strain loss of HmpA. When compared to the wild-type strain, the adhesion of the hmpA mutant to corneal cells was significantly decreased. Treatment of infected mouse corneas with Pc-EP before infection significantly decreased the bacterial load in the cornea and attenuated the corneal pathology. These results indicate that Pc-EP can be a useful prophylactic agent for P. aeruginosa keratitis. Highlights: We identified a potential novel adhesin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa surface. Derived Peptide Pc-EP significantly inhibits P. aeruginosa adhesion to corneal cells. Pc-EP stimulated the expression of some pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pc-EP effectively protects cornea against P. aeruginosa infection.