β-Defensins are host defense peptides controlling infections in species ranging from humans to invertebrates. However, the antimicrobial activity of most human β-defensins is impaired at physiological salt concentrations. We explored the properties of big defensins, the β-defensin ancestors, which have been conserved in a number of marine organisms, mainly mollusks. By focusing on a big defensin from oyster (Cg-BigDef1), we showed that the N-terminal domain lost during evolution toward β-defensins confers bactericidal activity to Cg-BigDef1, even at high salt concentrations. Cg-BigDef1 killed multidrug-resistant human clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the ancestral N-terminal domain drove the assembly of the big defensin into nanonets in which bacteria are entrapped and killed. This discovery may explain why the ancestral N-terminal domain has been maintained in diverse marine phyla and creates a new path of discovery to design β-defensin derivatives active at physiological and high salt concentrations.
Cationic lipids constitute a family of synthetic vectors commonly used for nucleic acids delivery. We herein report the results of a systematic study that aimed to compare the transfection efficacies of cationic lipophosphoramidates possessing either two identical lipid chains (termed symmetric cationic lipids) or two different lipid chains (non-symmetric cationic lipids). In addition, we also compared the transfection results of such a 'molecular approach' (the two different lipid chains being included in the same molecule) with those of a 'supramolecular approach' in which two types of symmetrical cationic lipids were mixed in one liposomal formulation. Thus, the present work allowed us first to optimize the methods used to synthesize non-symmetric cationic lipophosphoramidates. In addition, we could also identify two non-symmetric cationic lipids exhibiting high transfection efficiencies with a series of mammalian cell lines, both vectors being characterized by a single phytanyl chain and either an oleyl or a lauryl lipid chain.
Nucleic acid delivery constitutes an emerging therapeutic strategy to cure various human pathologies. This therapy consists of introducing genetic material into the whole body or isolated cells to correct a cellular abnormality or disfunction. As with any drug, the main objective of nucleic acid delivery is to establish optimal balance between efficacy and tolerance. The methods of administration and the vectors used are selected depending on whether the goal of treatment is the production of an active protein; the replacement of a missing or inactive gene; or the combat of acquired diseases, such as cancer or AIDS. In that sense, synthetic vectors represent a valuable solution because they are well characterized, their structure can be fine tuned, and their potential toxicity can be reduced, since toxicity depends on the composition of the formulations. Here we review various synthetic vectors for gene delivery and address the question of their biodistribution as a function of the route of administration. We highlight the modifications to vectors structure and formulations necessary to overcome the major hurdles limiting the effectiveness of nucleic acid therapies.
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