Abstract
Interactions between bacteriophages and mammals strongly affect possible applications of bacteriophages. This has created a need for tools that facilitate studies of phage circulation and deposition in tissues. Here, we propose red fluorescent protein (RFP)-labelled E. coli lytic phages as a new tool for the investigation of phage interactions with cells and tissues. The interaction of RFP-labelled phages with living eukaryotic cells (macrophages) was visualized after 20 min of co-incubation. RFP-labeled phages were applied in a murine model of phage circulation in vivo. Phages administered by three different routes (intravenously, orally, rectally) were detected through the course of time. The intravenous route of administration was the most efficient for phage delivery to multiple body compartments: 20 min after administration, virions were detected in lymph nodes, lungs, and liver; 30 min after administration, they were detectable in muscles; and 1 h after administration, phages were detected in spleen and lymph nodes. Oral and rectal administration of RFP-labelled phages allowed for their detection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract only.
Highlights
Advances in the therapeutic use of bacteriophages and encouraging results of recent treatment applications make this kind of antimicrobial agent a promising alternative to antibiotics [1]
T4 phage was engineered with fluorescent labels by in vivo phage display [14,18,19]
This fusion was produced by the expression of rfp-hoc gene fusion in the E. coli expression system
Summary
Advances in the therapeutic use of bacteriophages and encouraging results of recent treatment applications make this kind of antimicrobial agent a promising alternative to antibiotics [1]. Interactions between bacteriophages and human or animal organisms play an important role in phage therapy research [2,3,4]. Potential applications of bacteriophages in medicine, as well as general studies of microbiomes in animals and humans, have induced a need for developing tools that facilitate studies of phage circulation and deposition in tissues and cells. The bioavailability of phages in the living system is shaped by many factors. Other factors affecting the phage fate in the living stystem are related to the application, i.e., route of administration, timespan, dose [11,12]. A complete view of phage penetration and clearance in organs and tissues is still not available. Effective tools for the detection of bacteriophages inside living cells or in tissues are needed to extend our knowledge on phage circulation (or penetration) in vivo
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
