Targeting Campylobacter infection using nano-azurin: innate immune reprogramming and anticancer implications

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Protein Therapeutics

Background:

• Campylobacter spp. infections pose a global health challenge due to increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and links to gastrointestinal cancer.
• Nano-azurin, a redox-active protein, is emerging as a potential multifunctional therapeutic agent.
• The zoonotic potential and AMR of Campylobacter spp. necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the therapeutic potential of nano-azurin against Campylobacter spp. and in cancer treatment.
• To highlight nano-azurin's effects on microbial viability, biofilm formation, and host immune responses.
• To discuss the role of nano-azurin in cancer therapy, including apoptosis induction and tumor growth inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on nano-azurin's properties and applications.
• Analysis of nano-azurin's impact on microbial pathogens, particularly Campylobacter spp.
• Evaluation of nano-azurin's anticancer activities and immune-modulating effects.

Main Results:

• Nano-azurin demonstrates efficacy against Campylobacter spp., including antibiotic-resistant strains, by affecting viability and biofilm formation.
• Nano-azurin exhibits anticancer properties by selectively binding to neoplastic cells, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting tumor growth.
• Nano-azurin enhances innate immunity, aiding pathogen elimination and tumor immune surveillance.

Conclusions:

• Nano-azurin represents a novel nanobiotherapeutic platform with dual antimicrobial and anticancer applications.
• Nano-formulation improves drug stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery, reducing systemic toxicity.
• Challenges in large-scale manufacturing, pharmacokinetics, and clinical translation need to be addressed for therapeutic realization.