Characterization of the bacteriophages binding to human matrix molecules

Abstract

Recent literature has suggested a novel symbiotic relationship between bacteriophage and metazoan host that provides antimicrobial defense protecting mucosal surface by binding to host matrix mucin glycoproteins. Here, we isolated and studied different bacteriophages that specifically interact with human extracellular matrix molecules such as fibronectin, gelatin, heparin and demonstrated their potency for protection to host against microbial infections. We showed that subpopulations of bacteriophages that work against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli can bind to pure gelatin, fibronectin and heparin and reduced bacterial load in human colon cell line HT29. The bacteriophages were characterized with respect to their genome sizes, melting curve patterns and host tropism (cross-reactivity with different hosts). Since, the bacteriophages are non-toxic to the host and can effectively reduce bacterial load in HT29 cell line their therapeutic potency against bacterial infection could be explored.

A Novel N4-Like Bacteriophage Isolated from a Wastewater Source in South India with Activity against Several Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates

“…AM.P2 isolation and purification. AM.P2 was isolated from a sewage wastewater sample near Kollam, Kerala, using a previously described protocol (29). Briefly, 80 ml of wastewater sample was added to 9 ml of 10Â enrichment broth (10Â nutrient broth plus 0.5 M K 2 HPO 4 ) and 3 ml of overnight culture of PAO1 and enriched aerobically for phages at 37°C for 16 to 24 h. The enriched sample was centrifuged twice at 6,500 Â g for 10 min, and the supernatant was treated with 1:100 chloroform and/or filtered through a 0.22-mm filter.…”

Lactobacillus fermentum strains from rice water and lemon pickle with potential probiotic properties and wastewater treatment applications

“…Even though metagenomic and whole genome analysis give us some clues about the composition of the microbiome, their dynamics is very di cult if not impossible for predicting the keystone species. We are developing different bacteriophages against enteric pathogens, which can bind to host cell matrix molecules such as gelatin, bronectin, heparin (Porayath et al, 2018) and also trying to understand the role of knocking out these pathogens on overall microbiome dynamics by 16s ribotype based microbiome analysis with next generation sequencing technologies (unpublished results). In parallel, we need traditional culture-based approach and trial and error methods for which one or few species need to be experimentally tested for their potential to reduce the target pathogens in complex ecosystems such as food or wastewater.…”

Exploring Mucin as Adjunct to Phage Therapy

“…While a substantial number of phages are yet to be tested for their mucin binding ability, there are indications that phage-mucin interactions may be common within the luminal environment simply based on the types of modifications phages have been shown to interact with [66][67][68]73]. There are several reports of phages binding to residues that are consistent with those found on mucin.…”

“…There are several reports of phages binding to residues that are consistent with those found on mucin. Specifically, Porayath et al characterized several coliphagic phages isolated from sewage that were bound to the human matrix molecules fibronectin and heparin [67]. These are proteins that undergo posttranslational modification by glycosylation similar to mucin.…”