Project description:Colostrum is essential for the survival and development of newborn mammals. This primary source of nourishment during the first days of infant life is rich in functional components conductive to the enhancement of neonate immunity and growth. Compared with mature milk, a higher protein and peptide content is observed in colostrum, whilst it is low in fat and carbohydrates. The functional properties of colostrum are closely linked to the release of bioactive peptides during the gastrointestinal digestion of colostrum proteins. Our study aimed to comprehensively analyze the whey proteome of colostrum from indigenous Greek goats and to examine the influence of bioactive peptides released during digestion on human metabolism. Colostrum and mature milk samples from healthy ewes were subjected to nanoLC-MS/MS analysis, revealing differentially expressed proteins. These proteins were functionally characterized and subjected to in silico digestion. Using machine learning models, we classified the peptide functional groups, while molecular docking assessed the binding affinity of the proposed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)- and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)-inhibitory peptides to their target molecules. A total of 898 proteins were identified in colostrum, 40 of which were overexpressed compared with mature milk. The enzymatic cleavage of upregulated proteins by key gastrointestinal tract proteases and the downstream analysis of peptide sequences identified 117 peptides predicted (with >80% confidence) to impact metabolism, primarily through modulation of the renin-angiotensin system, insulin secretion, and redox pathways. This work advances our understanding of dietary bioactive peptides and their relevance to human metabolism, highlighting the potential health benefits of colostrum consumption.
Project description:Mastitis, often caused by bacterial infection, is an inflammatory condition affecting the mammary glands. The condition is particularly prevalent in dairy cattle. Current treatment of bovine mastitis heavily relies on the use of antibiotics. To identify alternative solutions to antibiotic use, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of 14 cathelicidins reported from 10 animal species. In conjunction, we assessed two bacteriocins against the bovine-mastitis causative bacterial panel, consisting of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus equi. Among the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), cc-CATH3, ML-CATH, and PD-CATH proved to be highly active (minimum inhibitory concentration of 2-41 μg/mL, 0.2-10.3 μM) against all bacterial strains in the panel and field isolates from milk, with elevated somatic cell counts (≥ 500,000 cells/mL). Of the AMPs tested in this study, ML-CATH presented the highest level of effectiveness in controlling mastitis-associated bacterial strains while also possessing minimal cytotoxicity and functional stability against pH change and a high salt condition. The results of in silico analyses on the biochemical features of 12 helical cathelicidins revealed that the charge of AMPs appears to be a major determinant in killing Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, we observed a unique motif, "N(n≥3)-P(n≥1)-N(n≥3)", from the sequences of PMAP-36, cc-CATH3, ML-CATH, and PD-CATH that exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria compared to others. Our findings support the proposition that AMPs could serve as effective antimicrobial alternatives to conventional antibiotics in treating complex animal diseases caused by microbial infection, such as bovine mastitis.
Project description:During processing and digestion, milk proteins are disassembled into peptides with an array of biological functions, including antimicrobial, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, antioxidant, opioid, and immunomodulation. These functions are summarized in numerous reviews, yet information on which peptides have which functions remains scattered across hundreds of research articles. We systematically searched the literature for all instances of bioactive peptides derived from milk proteins from any mammalian source. The data were compiled into a comprehensive database, which can be used to search for specific functions, peptides, or proteins (http://mbpdb.nws.oregonstate.edu). To review this large dataset, the bioactive peptides reported in the literature were visually mapped on the parent protein sequences, providing information on sites with highest abundance of bioactive peptides.
Project description:Antibiotic resistance poses an increasingly grave threat to the public health. Of pressing concern, rapid spread of carbapenem-resistance among multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative rods (GNR) is associated with few treatment options and high mortality rates. Current antibiotic susceptibility testing guiding patient management is performed in a standardized manner, identifying minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in bacteriologic media, but ignoring host immune factors. Lacking activity in standard MIC testing, azithromycin (AZM), the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in the U.S., is never recommended for MDR GNR infection. Here we report a potent bactericidal action of AZM against MDR carbapenem-resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. This pharmaceutical activity is associated with enhanced AZM cell penetration in eukaryotic tissue culture media and striking multi-log-fold synergies with host cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37 or the last line antibiotic colistin. Finally, AZM monotherapy exerts clear therapeutic effects in murine models of MDR GNR infection. Our results suggest that AZM, currently ignored as a treatment option, could benefit patients with MDR GNR infections, especially in combination with colistin.
Project description:The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the bioactive peptide profile of Podolica cow's milk. This dairy product is known for its nutritional properties related to the presence of peculiar lipids and is a typical breed traditionally reared in southern Italy. Using top-down peptidomics, we identified 2213 peptides in milk samples from four different farms, with 19 matching bioactive sequences. Bioactivities include dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibition, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, antioxidant activity, enhanced calcium uptake, and other peptides with potential antimicrobial effects. DPP-IV-inhibitory peptides (e.g., LDQWLCEKL and VGINYWLAHK) suggest potential for type 2 diabetes management, while ACE inhibitors (such as YLGY and FFVAPFPEVFGK) could support cardiovascular health by reducing hypertension. Antimicrobial peptides such as SDIPNPIGSENSEK and VLNENLLR showed broad spectrum of activity against various harmful microorganisms, positioning Podolica milk as a promising source for natural antimicrobial agents. Additionally, peptides with osteoanabolic, antianxiety, and immunomodulatory properties further highlight the multifaceted health benefits associated with this type of milk. Our findings underline the functional richness of Podolica milk peptides with various bioactivity properties, which could enhance the value of derived dairy products and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Future research will aim to explore these bioactivity properties in vivo, establishing a foundation for functional foods and supplements based on Podolica milk.
Project description:Sepsis is a leading cause of perinatal mortality worldwide. Breast milk (BM) feeding is protective against neonatal sepsis, but the molecular mechanisms remain unexplained. Despite various supplementations with potential bioactive components from BM formula feeding cannot protect from sepsis. S100-alarmins are important immunoregulators in newborns preventing excessive inflammation. At high concentrations, the S100A8/A9 protein complex also has antimicrobial properties due to its metal ion chelation capacity. To assess whether BM contains S100-alarmins that might mediate the sepsis-protective effect of BM 97 human BM samples stratified for gestational age, mode of delivery and sampling after birth were collected and analyzed. S100A8/A9 levels were massively elevated after birth (p < 0.0005). They slowly decreased during the first month of life, then reaching levels comparable to normal values in adult serum. The concentration of S100A8/A9 in BM was significantly higher after term compared with preterm birth (extremely preterm, p < 0.005; moderate preterm, p < 0.05) and after vaginal delivery compared with cesarean section (p < 0.0005). In newborn s100a9-/- mice, enterally supplied S100-alarmins could be retrieved systemically in the plasma. To explore the antimicrobial activity against common causal pathogens of neonatal sepsis, purified S100-alarmins and unmodified as well as S100A8/A9-depleted BM were used in growth inhibition tests. The high amount of S100A8/A9 proved to be an important mediator of the antimicrobial activity of BM, especially inhibiting the growth of manganese (Mn) sensitive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (p < 0.00005) and group B streptococci (p < 0.005). Depletion of S100A8/A9 significantly reduced this effect (p < 0.05, respectively). The growth of Escherichia coli was also inhibited by BM (p < 0.00005) as well as by S100A8/A9 in culture assays (p < 0.05). But its growth in BM remained unaffected by the removal of S100A8/A9 and was neither dependent on Mn suggesting that the antimicrobial effects of S100A8/A9 in BM are primarily mediated by its Mn chelating capacity. In summary, the enteral supply of bioavailable, antimicrobially active amounts of S100-alarmins might be a promising option to protect newborns at high risk from infections and sepsis.
Project description:Breast milk (colostrum [col]/milk) components and gut commensals play important roles in neonatal immune maturation, establishment of gut homeostasis and immune responses to enteric pathogens and oral vaccines. We investigated the impact of colonization by probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 (Bb12) with/without col/milk (mimicking breast/formula fed infants) on B lymphocyte responses to an attenuated (Att) human rotavirus (HRV) Wa strain vaccine in a neonatal gnotobiotic pig model. Col/milk did not affect probiotic colonization in AttHRV vaccinated pigs. However, unvaccinated pigs fed col/milk shed higher numbers of probiotic bacteria in feces than non-col/milk fed colonized controls. In AttHRV vaccinated pigs, col/milk feeding with probiotic treatment resulted in higher mean serum IgA HRV antibody titers and intestinal IgA antibody secreting cell (ASC) numbers compared to col/milk fed, non-colonized vaccinated pigs. In vaccinated pigs without col/milk, probiotic colonization did not affect IgA HRV antibody titers, but serum IgG HRV antibody titers and gut IgG ASC numbers were lower, suggesting that certain probiotics differentially impact HRV vaccine responses. Our findings suggest that col/milk components (soluble mediators) affect initial probiotic colonization, and together, they modulate neonatal antibody responses to oral AttHRV vaccine in complex ways.
Project description:Colostrum known as "liquid gold" contains approximately 60-80% of whey proteins that can be a great source of bioactive peptide production. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a comparative antimicrobial evaluation of the bioactive peptide generated from L. rhamnosus C25, L. rhamnosus C6, and L. casei NCDC17 fermented colostrum whey. Peptide fractions 10 kDa, 5 kDa, and 3 kDa were isolated using their respective molecular weight cut-off membranes and antimicrobial activity was evaluated against diarrheagenic E. coli strains. The higher inhibition was shown by < 10 kDa peptide fractions from L. rhamnosus C25 fermented colostrum whey and the zone of inhibition was 15 ± 0.06 (E. coli MTCC 723), 17 ± 0.04 (E. coli MTCC 724), 18 ± 0.05 (E. coli MTCC 725), and 17 ± 0.02 (E. coli ATCC 25922). In addition, ST-1 and LT-1 genes of E. coli strains were also confirmed using PCR which is responsible for the diarrheagenic property. Further, the interaction of potent peptides against E. coli strains was also observed by scanning electron microscope. Hence, the significance of the present study emphasized that these bioactive peptides generated from fermented colostrum whey can be used as ingredients in functional food against diarrhoea.
Project description:The antimicrobial resistance crisis is an ongoing major threat to public health safety. Low- and middle-income countries are particularly susceptible to higher fatality rates and the economic impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As an increasing number of pathogens emerge with multi- and pan-drug resistance to last-resort antibiotics, there is an urgent need to provide alternative antibacterial options to mitigate disease transmission, morbidity, and mortality. As identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), critically important pathogens such as Klebsiella and Pseudomonas species are becoming resistant to last-resort antibiotics including colistin while being frequently isolated from clinical cases of infection. Antimicrobial peptides are potent amino acid sequences produced by many life forms from prokaryotic, fungal, plant, to animal species. These peptides have many advantages, including their multi-hit mode of action, potency, and rapid onset of action with low levels of resistance being evident. These innate defense mechanisms also have an immune-stimulating action among other activities in vivo, thus making them ideal therapeutic options. Large-scale production and formulation issues (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics), high cost, and protease instability hinder their mass production and limit their clinical application. This review outlines the potential of these peptides to act as therapeutic agents in the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections considering the mode of action, resistance, and formulation aspects. Clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens are highlighted according to the WHO priority pathogen list.
Project description:BackgroundOral administration of bioactive peptides has potential clinical advantages, but its applicability is limited due to gastric and pancreatic enzyme proteolysis.ObjectiveTo examine whether the co-packaging of bovine colostrum (BC), a rich source of IgG, immune and growth factors, with the food additives trehalose (carbohydrate), stearine (fat), casein (protein present in BC) or soy flour (plant based with high protease inhibitory activity) enhances the stability of BC against digestion.DesignSamples alone and in combination (BC+ 10% wt/wt trehalose, stearine, casein or soy) were exposed to HCl/pepsin, followed by trypsin and chymotrypsin ("CT"). Assessment of proliferation used gastric AGS cells (Alamar blue), IgG function measured bovine IgG anti-E.coli binding and ELISAs quantified growth factor constituents. In vivo bioassay assessed ability of BC alone or with soy to reduce injury caused by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS, 4% in drinking water, 7 days, test products started 2 days prior to DSS).ResultsProliferative activity of BC reduced 61% following HCl/pepsin and CT exposure. This was truncated 50% if soy was co-present, and also protected against loss of total IgG, IgG E.coli binding, TGFβ, lactoferrin and EGF (all P<0.01 vs BC alone). Co-packaging with trehalose was ineffective in preventing digestion whereas casein or stearine provided some intermediate protective effects. Rats given BC alone showed beneficial effects on weight gain, disease activity index, tissue histology and colonic MPO. Soy alone was ineffective. BC+ soy combination showed the greatest benefit with a dose of 7 mg/kg (6.4 BC + 0.6 soy flour) having the same degree of benefit as using 20 mg/kg BC alone.ConclusionSoy, and to a lesser extent casein, enhanced the biostability of BC against digestive enzymes. Co-packaging of BC with other food products such as soy flour could result in a decreased dose being required, improving cost-effectiveness and patient compliance.