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Youse MS, Abutaleb NS, Nocentini A, S Abdelsattar A, Ali F, Supuran CT, Seleem MN, Flaherty DP. Optimization of Ethoxzolamide Analogs with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties for In Vivo Efficacy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39141375 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Drug-resistant gonorrhea is caused by the bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, for which there is no recommended oral treatment. We have demonstrated that the FDA-approved human carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ethoxzolamide potently inhibits N. gonorrhoeae; however, is not effective at reducing N. gonorrhoeae bioburden in a mouse model. Thus, we sought to optimize the pharmacokinetic properties of the ethoxzolamide scaffold. These efforts resulted in analogs with improved activity against N. gonorrhoeae, increased metabolic stability in mouse liver microsomes, and improved Caco-2 permeability compared to ethoxzolamide. Improvement in these properties resulted in increased plasma exposure in vivo after oral dosing. Top compounds were investigated for in vivo efficacy in a vaginal mouse model of gonococcal genital tract infection, and they significantly decreased the gonococcal burden compared to vehicle and ethoxzolamide controls. Altogether, results from this study provide evidence that ethoxzolamide-based compounds have the potential to be effective oral therapeutics against gonococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly S Youse
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Firenze 50122, Italy
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Farman Ali
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Firenze 50122, Italy
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Daniel P Flaherty
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Santana BDM, Armentano GM, Ferreira DAS, de Freitas CS, Carneiro-Ramos MS, Seabra AB, Christodoulides M. In Vitro Bactericidal Activity of Biogenic Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Neisseria gonorrhoeae with Enhanced Compatibility for Human Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:21633-21642. [PMID: 38632674 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Resistance to antibiotics and antimicrobial compounds is a significant problem for human and animal health globally. The development and introduction of new antimicrobial compounds are urgently needed, and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) have found widespread application across various sectors including biomedicine, pharmacy, catalysis, cosmetics, and many others. What makes them particularly attractive is the possibility of their synthesis through biogenic routes. In this study, we synthesized biogenic green tea (GT, Camellia sinensis)-derived CuO NPs (GT CuO NPs) and examined their biophysical properties, in vitro toxicity for mammalian cells in culture, and then tested them against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, an exemplar Gram-negative bacterium from the World Health Organization's Priority Pathogen List. We compared our synthesized GT CuOP NPs with commercial CuO NPs (Com CuO NPs). Com CuO NPs were significantly more cytotoxic to mammalian cells (IC50 of 7.32 μg/mL) than GT CuO NPs (IC50 of 106.1 μg/mL). GT CuO NPs showed no significant increase in bax, bcl2, il6, and il1β mRNA expression from mammalian cells, whereas there were notable rises after treatment with Com CuO NPs. GT-CuO NPs required concentrations of 0.625 and 3.125 μg/mL to kill 50 and 100% of bacteria, respectively, whereas Com-CuO NPs needed concentrations of 15.625 and 30 μg/mL to kill 50 and 100% of bacteria, and the antibiotic ceftriaxone killed 50 and 100% with 3.125 and 30 μg/mL. Gonococci could be killed within 30 min of exposure to GT CuO NPs and the NPs could kill up to 107 within 1 h. In summary, this is the first report to our knowledge that describes the bioactivity of biogenic CuO NPs against N. gonorrhoeae. Our data suggest that biogenic nanoparticle synthesis has significant advantages over traditional chemical routes of synthesis and highlights the potential of GT-CuO NPs in addressing the challenges posed by multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca de Melo Santana
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, Brazil
- Neisseria Research Laboratory, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K
| | - Giovana Marchini Armentano
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Dayana Agnes Santos Ferreira
- Neisseria Research Laboratory, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Camila Simões de Freitas
- Neisseria Research Laboratory, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190 - Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100, Brazil
| | - Marcela Sorelli Carneiro-Ramos
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Amedea Barozzi Seabra
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences (CCNH), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Avenida dos Estados 5001, Santo André, São Paulo 09210-580, Brazil
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Laboratory, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K
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Alonso-Roman R, Mosig AS, Figge MT, Papenfort K, Eggeling C, Schacher FH, Hube B, Gresnigt MS. Organ-on-chip models for infectious disease research. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:891-904. [PMID: 38528150 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01645-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Research on microbial pathogens has traditionally relied on animal and cell culture models to mimic infection processes in the host. Over recent years, developments in microfluidics and bioengineering have led to organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies. These microfluidic systems create conditions that are more physiologically relevant and can be considered humanized in vitro models. Here we review various OoC models and how they have been applied for infectious disease research. We outline the properties that make them valuable tools in microbiology, such as dynamic microenvironments, vascularization, near-physiological tissue constitutions and partial integration of functional immune cells, as well as their limitations. Finally, we discuss the prospects for OoCs and their potential role in future infectious disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Alonso-Roman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander S Mosig
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Applied Systems Biology Group, Leibniz-HKI, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Kai Papenfort
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Eggeling
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research e.V., Jena, Germany
- Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter, Jena, Germany
| | - Felix H Schacher
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hube
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute (Leibniz-HKI), Jena, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
- Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
| | - Mark S Gresnigt
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies, Leibniz-HKI, Jena, Germany
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Geslewitz WE, Cardenas A, Zhou X, Zhang Y, Criss AK, Seifert HS. Development and implementation of a Type I-C CRISPR-based programmable repression system for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. mBio 2024; 15:e0302523. [PMID: 38126782 PMCID: PMC10865793 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03025-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are prokaryotic adaptive immune systems regularly utilized as DNA-editing tools. While Neisseria gonorrhoeae does not have an endogenous CRISPR, the commensal species Neisseria lactamica encodes a functional Type I-C CRISPR-Cas system. We have established an isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside added (IPTG)-inducible, CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) platform based on the N. lactamica Type I-C CRISPR missing the Cas3 nuclease to allow locus-specific transcriptional repression. As proof of principle, we targeted a non-phase-variable version of the opaD gene. We show that CRISPRi can downregulate opaD gene and protein expression, resulting in bacterial inability to stimulate neutrophil oxidative responses and to bind to an N-terminal fragment of CEACAM1. Importantly, we used CRISPRi to effectively knockdown all the transcripts of all 11 opa genes using a five-spacer CRISPR array, allowing control of the entire phase-variable opa family in strain FA1090. We also report that repression is reversible following IPTG removal. Finally, we showed that the Type I-C CRISPRi system can conditionally reduce the expression of two essential genes. This CRISPRi system will allow the interrogation of every Gc gene, essential and non-essential, to study physiology and pathogenesis and aid in antimicrobial development.IMPORTANCEClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems have proven instrumental in genetically manipulating many eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Despite its usefulness, a CRISPR system had yet to be developed for use in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc), a bacterium that is the main etiological agent of gonorrhea infection. Here, we developed a programmable and IPTG-inducible Type I-C CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system derived from the commensal species Neisseria lactamica as a gene repression system in Gc. As opposed to generating genetic knockouts, the Type I-C CRISPRi system allows us to block transcription of specific genes without generating deletions in the DNA. We explored the properties of this system and found that a minimal spacer array is sufficient for gene repression while also facilitating efficient spacer reprogramming. Importantly, we also show that we can use CRISPRi to knockdown genes that are essential to Gc that cannot normally be knocked out under laboratory settings. Gc encodes ~800 essential genes, many of which have no predicted function. We predict that this Type I-C CRISPRi system can be used to help categorize gene functions and perhaps contribute to the development of novel therapeutics for gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy E. Geslewitz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amaris Cardenas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Xufei Zhou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alison K. Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - H Steven Seifert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Waltmann A, Balthazar JT, Begum AA, Hua N, Jerse AE, Shafer WM, Hobbs MM, Duncan JA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae MtrCDE Efflux Pump During In Vivo Experimental Genital Tract Infection in Men and Mice Reveals the Presence of Within-Host Colonization Bottleneck. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.06.23.23291824. [PMID: 37425726 PMCID: PMC10327229 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.23.23291824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The MtrCDE efflux pump of Neisseria gonorrhoeae exports a wide range of antimicrobial compounds that the gonococcus encounters at mucosal surfaces during colonization and infection. Here, we evaluate the role of this efflux pump system in strain FA1090 in human male urethral infection with a Controlled Human Infection Model. Using the strategy of competitive multi-strain infection with wild-type FA1090 and an isogenic mutant strain that does not contain a functional MtrCDE pump, we found that the presence of the efflux pump during human experimental infection did not confer a competitive advantage. This finding is in contrast to previous findings in female mice, which demonstrated that gonococci of strain FA19 lacking a functional MtrCDE pump had a significantly reduced fitness compared to the wild type strain in the lower genital tract of female mice. We conducted competitive infections in female mice with FA19 and FA1090 strains, including mutants that do not assemble a functional Mtr efflux pump, demonstrating the fitness advantage provided byt the MtrCDE efflux pump during infection of mice is strain dependent. Our data indicate that new gonorrhea treatment strategies targeting the MtrCDE efflux pump functions may not be universally efficacious in naturally occurring infections. Owing to the equal fitness of FA1090 strains in men, our experiments unexpectedly demonstrated the likely presence of an early colonization bottleneck of N. gonorrhoeae in the human male urethra. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03840811 .
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Onorini D, Leonard CA, Phillips Campbell R, Prähauser B, Pesch T, Schoborg RV, Jerse AE, Tarigan B, Borel N. Neisseria gonorrhoeae Coinfection during Chlamydia muridarum Genital Latency Does Not Modulate Murine Vaginal Bacterial Shedding. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0450022. [PMID: 37039695 PMCID: PMC10269798 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04500-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the most frequently reported agents of bacterial sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Nonetheless, C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae coinfection remains understudied. C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae coinfections are more common than expected by chance, suggesting C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae interaction, and N. gonorrhoeae infection may reactivate genital chlamydial shedding in women with latent (quiescent) chlamydial infection. We hypothesized that N. gonorrhoeae would reactivate latent genital Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice. Two groups of C. muridarum-infected mice were allowed to transition into genital latency. One group was then vaginally inoculated with N. gonorrhoeae; a third group received N. gonorrhoeae alone. C. muridarum and N. gonorrhoeae vaginal shedding was measured over time in the coinfected and singly infected groups. Viable C. muridarum was absent from vaginal swabs but detected in rectal swabs, confirming C. muridarum genital latency and consistent with the intestinal tract as a C. muridarum reservoir. C. muridarum inclusions were observed in large intestinal, but not genital, tissues during latency. Oviduct dilation was associated with C. muridarum infection, as expected. Contradicting our hypothesis, N. gonorrhoeae coinfection did not reactivate latent C. muridarum vaginal shedding. In addition, latent C. muridarum infection did not modulate recovery of vaginal viable N. gonorrhoeae. Evidence for N. gonorrhoeae-dependent increased C. muridarum infectivity has thus not been demonstrated in murine coinfection, and the ability of C. muridarum coinfection to potentiate N. gonorrhoeae infectivity may depend on actively replicating vaginal C. muridarum. The proportion of mice with increased vaginal neutrophils (PMNs) was higher in N. gonorrhoeae-infected than in C. muridarum-infected mice, as expected, while that of C. muridarum/N. gonorrhoeae-coinfected mice was intermediate to the singly infected groups, suggesting latent C. muridarum murine infection may limit PMN response to subsequent N. gonorrhoeae infection. IMPORTANCE Our work builds upon the limited understanding of C. muridarum/N. gonorrhoeae coinfection. Previously, N. gonorrhoeae infection of mice with acute (actively replicating) vaginal C. muridarum infection was shown to increase recovery of viable vaginal N. gonorrhoeae and vaginal PMNs, with no effect on C. muridarum vaginal shedding (R. A. Vonck et al., Infect Immun 79:1566-1577, 2011). It has also been shown that chlamydial infection of human and murine PMNs prevents normal PMN responses, including the response to N. gonorrhoeae (K. Rajeeve et al., Nat Microbiol 3:824-835, 2018). Our findings show no effect of latent genital C. muridarum infection on the recovery of viable N. gonorrhoeae, in contrast to the previously reported effect of acute C. muridarum infection, and suggesting that acute versus latent C. muridarum infection may have distinct effects on PMN function in mice. Together, these studies to date provide evidence that Chlamydia/N. gonorrhoeae synergistic interactions may depend on the presence of replicating Chlamydia in the genital tract, while chlamydial effects on vaginal PMNs may extend beyond acute infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Onorini
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cory Ann Leonard
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Regenia Phillips Campbell
- Department of Medical Education, Center for Infectious Disease, Inflammation and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Barbara Prähauser
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theresa Pesch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert V. Schoborg
- Department of Medical Education, Center for Infectious Disease, Inflammation and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ann E. Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernadetta Tarigan
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Girgis MM, Christodoulides M. Vertebrate and Invertebrate Animal and New In Vitro Models for Studying Neisseria Biology. Pathogens 2023; 12:782. [PMID: 37375472 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The history of Neisseria research has involved the use of a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate animal models, from insects to humans. In this review, we itemise these models and describe how they have made significant contributions to understanding the pathophysiology of Neisseria infections and to the development and testing of vaccines and antimicrobials. We also look ahead, briefly, to their potential replacement by complex in vitro cellular models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Girgis
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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Kikiowo B, Bandara AB, Abutaleb NS, Seleem MN. Colonization efficiency of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a female mouse model. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad030. [PMID: 37852672 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid occurrence of gonococcal resistance to all classes of antibiotics could lead to untreatable gonorrhea. Thus, development of novel anti-Neisseria gonorrhoeae drugs is urgently needed. Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090 is the most used in gonococcal infection mouse models because of its natural resistance to streptomycin. Streptomycin inhibits the urogenital commensal flora that permits gonococcal colonization. However, this strain is drug-susceptible and cannot be used to investigate the efficacy of novel agents against multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Hence, to test the in vivo efficacy of new therapeutics against N. gonorrhoeae resistant to the frontline antibiotics, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone, we constructed streptomycin-resistant mutants of N. gonorrhoeae CDC-181 (azithromycin-resistant) and WHO-X (ceftriaxone-resistant). We identified the inoculum size needed to successfully colonize mice. Both mutants, CDC-181-rpsLA128G and WHO-X-rpsLA128G, colonized the genital tract of mice for 14 days with 100% colonization observed for at least 7 days. CDC-181-rpsLA128G demonstrated better colonization of the murine genital tract compared to WHO-X-rpsLA128G. Lower inoculum of WHO-X-rpsLA128G (105 and 106 CFU) colonized mice better than higher inoculum. Overall, our results indicate that CDC-181-rpsLA128G and WHO-X-rpsLA128G can colonize the lower genital tract of mice and are suitable to be used in mouse models to investigate the efficacy of antigonococcal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatomiwa Kikiowo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Aloka B Bandara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
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Latorre MC, Gómez‐Oro C, Olivera‐Valle I, Blazquez‐Lopez E, Gallego‐Valle J, Ibañez‐Escribano A, Casesnoves P, González‐Cucharero C, Muñoz‐Fernandez MA, Sanz L, Vaquero J, Martín‐Rabadań P, Perez‐Milan F, Relloso M. Vaginal neutrophil infiltration is contingent on ovarian cycle phase and independent of pathogen infection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1031941. [PMID: 36569947 PMCID: PMC9771706 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1031941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucosa of the female reproductive tract must reconcile the presence of commensal microbiota and the transit of exogenous spermatozoa with the elimination of sexually transmitted pathogens. In the vagina, neutrophils are the principal cellular arm of innate immunity and constitute the first line of protection in response to infections or injury. Neutrophils are absent from the vaginal lumen during the ovulatory phase, probably to allow sperm to fertilize; however, the mechanisms that regulate neutrophil influx to the vagina in response to aggressions remain controversial. We have used mouse inseminations and infections of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, and HSV-2 models. We demonstrate that neutrophil infiltration of the vaginal mucosa is distinctively contingent on the ovarian cycle phase and independent of the sperm and pathogen challenge, probably to prevent sperm from being attacked by neutrophils. Neutrophils extravasation is a multi-step cascade of events, which includes their adhesion through selectins (E, P and L) and integrins of the endothelial cells. We have discovered that cervical endothelial cells expressed selectin-E (SELE, CD62E) to favor neutrophils recruitment and estradiol down-regulated SELE expression during ovulation, which impaired neutrophil transendothelial migration and orchestrated sperm tolerance. Progesterone up-regulated SELE to restore surveillance after ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. C. Latorre
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - C. Gómez‐Oro
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - I. Olivera‐Valle
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - E. Blazquez‐Lopez
- Hepatología-Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Gallego‐Valle
- Laboratorio de InmunoRegulacion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - A. Ibañez‐Escribano
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - P. Casesnoves
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - C. González‐Cucharero
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. A. Muñoz‐Fernandez
- Laboratorio InmunoBiologia Molecular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - L. Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Biomedical Research Institute Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Vaquero
- Hepatología-Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - P. Martín‐Rabadań
- Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitarion Gregorio Marañón (HGUGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - F. Perez‐Milan
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: M. Relloso, ; F. Perez‐Milan,
| | - M. Relloso
- Laboratorio de InmunoReproduccion, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain,*Correspondence: M. Relloso, ; F. Perez‐Milan,
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10
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Edwards VL, McComb E, Gleghorn JP, Forney L, Bavoil PM, Ravel J. Three-dimensional models of the cervicovaginal epithelia to study host-microbiome interactions and sexually transmitted infections. Pathog Dis 2022; 80:6655985. [PMID: 35927516 PMCID: PMC9419571 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
2D cell culture systems have historically provided controlled, reproducible means to analyze host-pathogen interactions observed in the human reproductive tract. Although inexpensive, straightforward, and requiring a very short time commitment, these models recapitulate neither the functionality of multilayered cell types nor the associated microbiome that occurs in a human. Animal models have commonly been used to recreate the complexity of human infections. However, extensive modifications of animal models are required to recreate interactions that resemble those in the human reproductive tract. 3D cell culture models have emerged as alternative means of reproducing vital elements of human infections at a fraction of the cost of animal models and on a scale that allows for replicative experiments. Here, we describe a new 3D model that utilizes transwells with epithelial cells seeded apically and a basolateral extracellular matrix (ECM)-like layer. The model produced tissues with morphologic and physiological resemblance to human cervical and vaginal epithelia, including mucus levels produced by cervical cells. Infection by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was demonstrated, as well as the growth of bacterial species observed in the human vaginal microbiota. This enabled controlled mechanistic analyses of the interactions between host cells, the vaginal microbiota, and STI pathogens. Affordable and semi high-throughput 3D models of the cervicovaginal epithelia that are physiologically relevant by sustaining vaginal bacterial colonization, and facilitate studies of chlamydial and gonococcal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vonetta L Edwards
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Larry Forney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - Patrik M Bavoil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Corresponding author: Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Health Science Research Facility (HSRDF), 670 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States. Tel: +1 410-706-5674; E-mail:
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11
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A Single Amino Acid Substitution in Elongation Factor G Can Confer Low-Level Gentamicin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0025122. [PMID: 35465683 PMCID: PMC9112995 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00251-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The continued emergence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates which are resistant to first-line antibiotics has reinvigorated interest in alternative therapies such as expanded use of gentamicin (Gen). We hypothesized that expanded use of Gen promotes emergence of gonococci with clinical resistance to this aminoglycoside. To understand how decreased susceptibility of gonococci to Gen might develop, we selected spontaneous low-level Gen-resistant (GenR) mutants (Gen MIC = 32 μg/mL) of the Gen-susceptible strain FA19. Consequently, we identified a novel missense mutation in fusA, which encodes elongation factor G (EF-G), causing an alanine (A) to valine (V) substitution at amino acid position 563 in domain IV of EF-G; the mutant allele was termed fusA2. Transformation analysis showed that fusA2 could increase the Gen MIC by 4-fold. While possession of fusA2 did not impair either in vitro gonococcal growth or protein synthesis, it did result in a fitness defect during experimental infection of the lower genital tract in female mice. Through bioinformatic analysis of whole-genome sequences of 10,634 international gonococcal clinical isolates, other fusA alleles were frequently detected, but genetic studies revealed that they could not decrease Gen susceptibility in a similar manner to fusA2. In contrast to these diverse international fusA alleles, the fusA2-encoded A563V substitution was detected in only a single gonococcal clinical isolate. We hypothesize that the rare occurrence of fusA2 in N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates is likely due to a fitness cost during infection, but compensatory mutations which alleviate this fitness cost could emerge and promote GenR in global strains.
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12
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Elhassanny AEM, Abutaleb NS, Seleem MN. Auranofin exerts antibacterial activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a female mouse model of genital tract infection. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266764. [PMID: 35446884 PMCID: PMC9022871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an urgent threat due to the rapid development of antibiotic resistance to currently available antibiotics. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find new antibiotics to treat gonococcal infections. In our previous study, the gold-containing drug auranofin demonstrated potent in vitro activity against clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae, including multidrug-resistant strains. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo activity of auranofin against N. gonorrhoeae using a murine model of vaginal infection. A significant reduction in N. gonorrhoeae recovered from the vagina was observed for infected mice treated with auranofin compared to the vehicle over the course of treatment. Relative to the vehicle, after three and five days of treatment with auranofin, a 1.04 (91%) and 1.40 (96%) average log10-reduction of recovered N. gonorrhoeae was observed. In conclusion, auranofin has the potential to be further investigated as a novel, safe anti-gonococcal agent to help meet the urgent need for new antimicrobial agents for N. gonorrhoeae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E. M. Elhassanny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nader S. Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Mohamed N. Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- Center for Emerging, Zoonotic and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
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13
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Towards a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiota. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:367-378. [PMID: 35246662 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human vaginal microbiota is a critical determinant of vaginal health. These communities live in close association with the vaginal epithelium and rely on host tissues for resources. Although often dominated by lactobacilli, the vaginal microbiota is also frequently composed of a collection of facultative and obligate anaerobes. The prevalence of these communities with a paucity of Lactobacillus species varies among women, and epidemiological studies have associated them with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The mechanisms that drive these associations have yet to be described in detail, with few studies establishing causative relationships. Here, we review our current understanding of the vaginal microbiota and its connection with host health. We centre our discussion around the biology of the vaginal microbiota when Lactobacillus species are dominant versus when they are not, including host factors that are implicated in shaping these microbial communities and the resulting adverse health outcomes. We discuss current approaches to modulate the vaginal microbiota, including probiotics and vaginal microbiome transplants, and argue that new model systems of the cervicovaginal environment that incorporate the vaginal microbiota are needed to progress from association to mechanism and this will prove invaluable for future research.
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14
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Waltmann A, Duncan JA, Pier GB, Cywes-Bentley C, Cohen MS, Hobbs MM. Experimental Urethral Infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022:10.1007/82_2021_250. [PMID: 35246736 PMCID: PMC9441470 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Gonorrhea rates and antibiotic resistance are both increasing. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is an exclusively human pathogen and is exquisitely adapted to its natural host. Ng can subvert immune responses and undergoes frequent antigenic variation, resulting in limited immunity and protection from reinfection. Previous gonococcal vaccine efforts have been largely unsuccessful, and the last vaccine to be tested in humans was more than 35 years ago. Advancing technologies and the threat of untreatable gonorrhea have fueled renewed pursuit of a vaccine as a long-term sustainable solution for gonorrhea control. Despite the development of a female mouse model of genital gonococcal infection two decades ago, correlates of immunity or protection remain largely unknown, making the gonococcus a challenging vaccine target. The controlled human urethral infection model of gonorrhea (Ng CHIM) has been used to study gonococcal pathogenesis and the basis of anti-gonococcal immunity. Over 200 participants have been inoculated without serious adverse events. The Ng CHIM replicates the early natural course of urethral infection. We are now at an inflexion point to pivot the use of the model for vaccine testing to address the urgency of improved gonorrhea control. Herein we discuss the need for gonorrhea vaccines, and the advantages and limitations of the Ng CHIM in accelerating the development of gonorrhea vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Waltmann
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Joseph A Duncan
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Gerald B Pier
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | - Myron S Cohen
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Marcia M Hobbs
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
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15
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Abutaleb NS, Elhassanny AEM, Seleem MN. In vivo efficacy of acetazolamide in a mouse model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. Microb Pathog 2022; 164:105454. [PMID: 35189278 PMCID: PMC8923983 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2022.105454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gonococcal infections represent an urgent public health threat worldwide due to the increasing incidence of infections that has been accompanied by an increase in bacterial resistance to most antibiotics. This has resulted in a dwindling number of effective treatment options. Undoubtedly, there is a critical need to develop new, effective anti-gonococcal agents. In an effort to discover new anti-gonococcal therapeutics, we previously identified acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, as a novel inhibitor of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Acetazolamide exhibited potent anti-gonococcal activity in vitro as it inhibited growth of strains of N. gonorrhoeae at concentrations that ranged from 0.5 to 4 μg/mL. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of acetazolamide in a mouse model of N. gonorrhoeae genital tract infection. Compared to vehicle-treated mice, acetazolamide significantly reduced the gonococcal burden by 90% in the vagina of infected mice after three days of treatment. These results indicate that acetazolamide warrants further investigation as a promising treatment option to supplement the limited pipeline of anti-gonococcal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader S. Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Ahmed E. M. Elhassanny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed N. Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA,Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA,Corresponding Author: Mohamed N. Seleem, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1410 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA, Phone: 540-231-2703,
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16
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Narasimhan J, Letinski S, Jung SP, Gerasyuto A, Wang J, Arnold M, Chen G, Hedrick J, Dumble M, Ravichandran K, Levitz T, Cui C, Drennan CL, Stubbe J, Karp G, Branstrom A. Ribonucleotide reductase, a novel drug target for gonorrhea. eLife 2022; 11:e67447. [PMID: 35137690 PMCID: PMC8865847 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) are an emerging public health threat due to increasing numbers of multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms. We identified two novel orally active inhibitors, PTC-847 and PTC-672, that exhibit a narrow spectrum of activity against Ng including MDR isolates. By selecting organisms resistant to the novel inhibitors and sequencing their genomes, we identified a new therapeutic target, the class Ia ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). Resistance mutations in Ng map to the N-terminal cone domain of the α subunit, which we show here is involved in forming an inhibited α4β4 state in the presence of the β subunit and allosteric effector dATP. Enzyme assays confirm that PTC-847 and PTC-672 inhibit Ng RNR and reveal that allosteric effector dATP potentiates the inhibitory effect. Oral administration of PTC-672 reduces Ng infection in a mouse model and may have therapeutic potential for treatment of Ng that is resistant to current drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jiashi Wang
- PTC Therapeutics, IncSouth PlainfieldUnited States
| | | | | | - Jean Hedrick
- PTC Therapeutics, IncSouth PlainfieldUnited States
| | | | - Kanchana Ravichandran
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Talya Levitz
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Chang Cui
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Catherine L Drennan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - JoAnne Stubbe
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeUnited States
| | - Gary Karp
- PTC Therapeutics, IncSouth PlainfieldUnited States
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17
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Micoli F, Bagnoli F, Rappuoli R, Serruto D. The role of vaccines in combatting antimicrobial resistance. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 19:287-302. [PMID: 33542518 PMCID: PMC7861009 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-00506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of antibiotics has enabled the successful treatment of bacterial infections, saving the lives and improving the health of many patients worldwide. However, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been highlighted as a global threat by different health organizations, and pathogens resistant to antimicrobials cause substantial morbidity and death. As resistance to multiple drugs increases, novel and effective therapies as well as prevention strategies are needed. In this Review, we discuss evidence that vaccines can have a major role in fighting AMR. Vaccines are used prophylactically, decreasing the number of infectious disease cases, and thus antibiotic use and the emergence and spread of AMR. We also describe the current state of development of vaccines against resistant bacterial pathogens that cause a substantial disease burden both in high-income countries and in low- and medium-income countries, discuss possible obstacles that hinder progress in vaccine development and speculate on the impact of next-generation vaccines against bacterial infectious diseases on AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Micoli
- grid.425088.3GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
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