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He P, Huang S, Wang R, Yang Y, Yang S, Wang Y, Qi M, Li J, Liu X, Zhang X, Feng M. Novel nitroxoline derivative combating resistant bacterial infections through outer membrane disruption and competitive NDM-1 inhibition. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2294854. [PMID: 38085067 PMCID: PMC10829846 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2294854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACTNew Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) has rapidly disseminated worldwide, leading to multidrug resistance and worse clinical prognosis. Designing and developing effective NDM-1 inhibitors is a critical and urgent challenge. In this study, we constructed a library of long-lasting nitroxoline derivatives and identified ASN-1733 as a promising dual-functional antibiotic. ASN-1733 can effectively compete for Ca2+ on the bacterial surface, causing the detachment of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), thereby compromising the outer membrane integrity and permeability and exhibiting broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. Moreover, ASN-1733 demonstrated wider therapeutic applications than nitroxoline in mouse sepsis, thigh and mild abdominal infections. Furthermore, ASN-1733 can effectively inhibit the hydrolytic capability of NDM-1 and exhibits synergistic killing effects in combination with meropenem against NDM-1 positive bacteria. Mechanistic studies using enzymatic experiments and computer simulations revealed that ASN-1733 can bind to key residues on Loop10 of NDM-1, hindering substrate entry into the enzyme's active site and achieving potent inhibitory activity (Ki = 0.22 µM), even in the presence of excessive Zn2+. These findings elucidate the antibacterial mechanism of nitroxoline and its derivatives, expand their potential application in the field of antibacterial agents and provide new insights into the development of novel NDM-1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng He
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sijing Huang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunkai Yang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shangye Yang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengya Qi
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiyang Li
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofen Liu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuyao Zhang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiqing Feng
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Li Y, Niu H, Huang L, Zhang L, Mao L, Wan P, Ma Z, Peng X, Wan K, Zeng Z. Research Note: Synergistic effect of isopropoxy benzene guanidine and colistin against mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli in vitro and in duck intestine infection models. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104018. [PMID: 39043027 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Colistin (CST) is considered as "agent of last resort" against gram-negative bacteria as feed additive. Its clinical effectiveness has reduced since the emergence of mcr-1 gene in ducks. Isopropoxy benzene guanidine (IBG), a new guanidine derivative, showed positive effects on improving animal weights and alleviating intestinal pathogens, therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this compound supplement with CST in ducks and explore the possibilities in feed additive. A total of fifteen duck-origin Escherichia coli carrying the mcr-1 gene were included in this study. A checkerboard microdilution assay was used to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of IBG combined with CST against mcr-1-positive E. coli. A 3-by-2 time-kill array of IBG (16, 32, and 64 μg/mL) and CST (1/2 MIC and 1/4 MIC) over 24 hours was utilized to characterize the activity of the agents alone and in combination against E. coli strain 1 in vitro. The intestinal colonization model was used to evaluate the in vivo effect of IBG combined with CST. These results indicated that the combination of IBG plus CST showed a synergistic effect against all clinical isolates (FICI < 0.5). The bacterial burden was reduced by more than 2 log10 CFU/mL when E. coli strain 1 was tested with 1/2 MIC CST plus 64 μg/mL IBG for 24 h. Further experiments in vivo demonstrated that the CST combined with IBG was able to increase duck weights, reduced intestinal pathogenic E. coli and showed a synergistic antibacterial effect. Combination of CST (4 mg/kg b.w.) plus IBG (32 or 64 mg/kg b.w.) achieved 1.84 to 3.29 log10 CFU/g killing after 7 d of therapy, which was significantly different from that in the challenge control group (p<0.05). In summary, our study demonstrated the potential use of IBG as feed additive for veterinary purposes in ducks and provided new insights into overcoming resistance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Monitoring Technology for Agro-Products of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Huijun Niu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lingxuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lingxiang Mao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Peng Wan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhenbao Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xianfeng Peng
- Guangzhou Insighter Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510663, China
| | - Kai Wan
- Institute of Quality Standard and Monitoring Technology for Agro-Products of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Agro-Products, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhenling Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Jiang X, Chen D, Wang X, Wang C, Zheng H, Ye W, Zhou W, Liu G, Zhang K. Nitazoxanide synergizes polymyxin B against Escherichia coli by depleting cellular energy. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0019124. [PMID: 38904380 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00191-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid expansion of antibiotic-resistant bacterial diseases is a global burden on public health. It makes sense to repurpose and reposition already-approved medications for use as supplementary agents in synergistic combinations with existing antibiotics. Here, we demonstrate that the anthelmintic drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) synergistically enhances the effectiveness of the lipopeptide antibiotic polymyxin B in inhibiting gram-negative bacteria, including those resistant to polymyxin B. Mechanistic investigations revealed that nitazoxanide inhibited calcium influx and cell membrane depolarization, enhanced the affinity between polymyxin B and the extracellular membrane, and promoted intracellular ATP depletion and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus enhancing the penetration and disruption of the Escherichia coli cell membrane by polymyxin B. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the combination resulted in energy depletion by inhibiting both aerobic and anaerobic respiration patterns in bacterial cells. The increased bactericidal effect of polymyxin B on the E. coli ∆nuoC strain further indicates that NuoC could be a promising target for nitazoxanide. Furthermore, the combination of nitazoxanide and polymyxin B showed promising therapeutic effects in a mouse infection model infected with E. coli. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of nitazoxanide as a novel adjuvant to polymyxin B, to overcome antibiotic resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes in refractory infections.IMPORTANCEThe rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a serious threat to public health. The search for potential compounds that can increase the antibacterial activity of existing antibiotics is a promising strategy for addressing this issue. Here, the synergistic activity of the FDA-approved agent nitazoxanide (NTZ) combined with polymyxin B was investigated in vitro using checkerboard assays and time-kill curves. The synergistic mechanisms of the combination of nitazoxanide and polymyxin B were explored by fluorescent dye, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and transcriptomic analysis. The synergistic efficacy was evaluated in vivo by the Escherichia coli and mouse sepsis models. These results suggested that nitazoxanide, as a promising antibiotic adjuvant, can effectively enhance polymyxin B activity, providing a potential strategy for treating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejia Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Haihong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchong Ye
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoping Liu
- College of Animal Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | - Keyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Chemical Drugs and Pharmaceutics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Yang S, Wang H, Zhao D, Zhang S, Hu C. Polymyxins: recent advances and challenges. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1424765. [PMID: 38974043 PMCID: PMC11224486 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1424765] [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: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a pressing global health challenge, and polymyxins have emerged as the last line of defense against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative (MDR-GRN) bacterial infections. Despite the longstanding utility of colistin, the complexities surrounding polymyxins in terms of resistance mechanisms and pharmacological properties warrant critical attention. This review consolidates current literature, focusing on polymyxins antibacterial mechanisms, resistance pathways, and innovative strategies to mitigate resistance. We are also investigating the pharmacokinetics of polymyxins to elucidate factors that influence their in vivo behavior. A comprehensive understanding of these aspects is pivotal for developing next-generation antimicrobials and optimizing therapeutic regimens. We underscore the urgent need for advancing research on polymyxins to ensure their continued efficacy against formidable bacterial challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hairui Wang
- Institute of Respiratory Health, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shurong Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chenggong Hu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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5
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Huang Y, Zhu Y, Yue HY, Liu YY, Deng LM, Lv L, Wang C, Yang J, Liu JH. Flavomycin restores colistin susceptibility in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. mSystems 2024; 9:e0010924. [PMID: 38695565 PMCID: PMC11237640 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00109-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymyxin is used as a last resort antibiotics for infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria and is often combined with other antibiotics to improve clinical effectiveness. However, the synergism of colistin and other antibiotics remains obscure. Here, we revealed a notable synergy between colistin and flavomycin, which was traditionally used as an animal growth promoter and has limited activity against Gram-negative bacteria, using checkerboard assay and time-kill curve analyses. The importance of membrane penetration induced by colistin was assessed by examining the intracellular accumulation of flavomycin and its antimicrobial impact on Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains with truncated lipopolysaccharides. Besides, a mutation in the flavomycin binding site was created to confirm its role in the observed synergy. This synergy is manifested as an augmented penetration of the E. coli outer membrane by colistin, leading to increased intracellular accumulation of flavomycin and enhanced cell killing thereafter. The observed synergy was dependent on the antimicrobial activity of flavomycin, as mutation of its binding site abolished the synergy. In vivo studies confirmed the efficacy of colistin combined with flavomycin against MDR E. coli infections. This study is the first to demonstrate the synergistic effect between colistin and flavomycin, shedding light on their respective roles in this synergism. Therefore, we propose flavomycin as an adjuvant to enhance the potency of colistin against MDR Gram-negative bacteria. IMPORTANCE Colistin is a critical antibiotic in combating multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria, but the emergence of mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) undermines its effectiveness. Previous studies have found that colistin can synergy with various drugs; however, its exact mechanisms with hydrophobic drugs are still unrevealed. Generally, the membrane destruction of colistin is thought to be the essential trigger for its interactions with its partner drugs. Here, we use clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) for specifically mutating the binding site of one hydrophobic drug (flavomycin) and show that antimicrobial activity of flavomycin is critical for the synergy. Our results first give the evidence that the synergy is set off by colistin's membrane destruction and operated the final antimicrobial function by its partner drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Systems Biology Center, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui-Ying Yue
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi-Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Min Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Luchao Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengzhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Bioactive Substances, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hua Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Buchholz KR, Reichelt M, Johnson MC, Robinson SJ, Smith PA, Rutherford ST, Quinn JG. Potent activity of polymyxin B is associated with long-lived super-stoichiometric accumulation mediated by weak-affinity binding to lipid A. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4733. [PMID: 38830951 PMCID: PMC11148078 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymyxins are gram-negative antibiotics that target lipid A, the conserved membrane anchor of lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane. Despite their clinical importance, the molecular mechanisms underpinning polymyxin activity remain unresolved. Here, we use surface plasmon resonance to kinetically interrogate interactions between polymyxins and lipid A and derive a phenomenological model. Our analyses suggest a lipid A-catalyzed, three-state mechanism for polymyxins: transient binding, membrane insertion, and super-stoichiometric cluster accumulation with a long residence time. Accumulation also occurs for brevicidine, another lipid A-targeting antibacterial molecule. Lipid A modifications that impart polymyxin resistance and a non-bactericidal polymyxin derivative exhibit binding that does not evolve into long-lived species. We propose that transient binding to lipid A permeabilizes the outer membrane and cluster accumulation enables the bactericidal activity of polymyxins. These findings could establish a blueprint for discovery of lipid A-targeting antibiotics and provide a generalizable approach to study interactions with the gram-negative outer membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry R Buchholz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Mike Reichelt
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew C Johnson
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sarah J Robinson
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter A Smith
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Revagenix, Inc., San Mateo, CA, USA
| | - Steven T Rutherford
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - John G Quinn
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Padhy I, Dwibedy SK, Mohapatra SS. A molecular overview of the polymyxin-LPS interaction in the context of its mode of action and resistance development. Microbiol Res 2024; 283:127679. [PMID: 38508087 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
With the rising incidences of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the diminishing options of novel antimicrobial agents, it is paramount to decipher the molecular mechanisms of action and the emergence of resistance to the existing drugs. Polymyxin, a cationic antimicrobial lipopeptide, is used to treat infections by Gram-negative bacterial pathogens as a last option. Though polymyxins were identified almost seventy years back, their use has been restricted owing to toxicity issues in humans. However, their clinical use has been increasing in recent times resulting in the rise of polymyxin resistance. Moreover, the detection of "mobile colistin resistance (mcr)" genes in the environment and their spread across the globe have complicated the scenario. The mechanism of polymyxin action and the development of resistance is not thoroughly understood. Specifically, the polymyxin-bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) interaction is a challenging area of investigation. The use of advanced biophysical techniques and improvement in molecular dynamics simulation approaches have furthered our understanding of this interaction, which will help develop polymyxin analogs with better bactericidal effects and lesser toxicity in the future. In this review, we have delved deeper into the mechanisms of polymyxin-LPS interactions, highlighting several models proposed, and the mechanisms of polymyxin resistance development in some of the most critical Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Padhy
- Molecular Microbiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, Odisha, India
| | - Sambit K Dwibedy
- Molecular Microbiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, Odisha, India
| | - Saswat S Mohapatra
- Molecular Microbiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Berhampur University, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 760007, Odisha, India.
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8
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Geng X, Zhang ZD, Li YX, Hao RC, Yang YJ, Liu XW, Li JY. Fingolimod synergizes and reverses K. pneumoniae resistance to colistin. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1396663. [PMID: 38873155 PMCID: PMC11169662 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1396663] [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: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) infection and the rapid spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a serious threat to global healthcare. Polymyxin E (colistin), a group of cationic antimicrobial polypeptides, is currently one of the last resort treatment options against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. The effectiveness of colistin has been compromised due to its intensive use. This study found that fingolimod (FLD), a natural product derivative, exhibited a significant synergistic bactericidal effect on K. pneumoniae when combined with colistin, both in vitro and in vivo. The checkerboard method was employed to assess the in vitro synergistic effect of FLD with colistin. FLD enhanced the susceptibility of bacteria to colistin and lowered effectively minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) when compared to colistin MIC, and the fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC) value was less than 0.3. The time-kill curve demonstrated that the combination treatment of FLD and colistin had significant bactericidal efficacy. The in vitro concurrent administration of colistin and FLD resulted in heightening membrane permeability, compromising cell integrity, diminishing membrane fluidity, and perturbing membrane homeostasis. They also induced alterations in membrane potential, levels of reactive oxygen species, and adenosine triphosphate synthesis, ultimately culminating in bacterial death. Moreover, the combination of FLD with colistin significantly influenced fatty acid metabolism. In the mouse infection model, the survival rate of mice injected with K. pneumoniae was significantly improved to 67% and pathological damage was significantly relieved with combination treatment of FLD and colistin when compared with colistin treatment. This study highlights the potential of FLD in combining with colistin for treating infections caused by MDR isolates of K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xi-Wang Liu
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jian-Yong Li
- Key Lab of New Animal Drug of Gansu Province, Key Lab of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, Lanzhou, China
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9
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Chen C, Shi J, Wang D, Kong P, Wang Z, Liu Y. Antimicrobial peptides as promising antibiotic adjuvants to combat drug-resistant pathogens. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024; 50:267-284. [PMID: 36890767 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2023.2186215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) calls for the development of new antimicrobial strategies. Antibiotic adjuvant rescues antibiotic activity and increases the life span of the antibiotics, representing a more productive, timely, and cost-effective strategy in fighting drug-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from synthetic and natural sources are considered new-generation antibacterial agents. Besides their direct antimicrobial activity, growing evidence shows that some AMPs effectively enhance the activity of conventional antibiotics. The combinations of AMPs and antibiotics display an improved therapeutic effect on antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and minimize the emergence of resistance. In this review, we discuss the value of AMPs in the age of resistance, including modes of action, limiting evolutionary resistance, and their designing strategies. We summarise the recent advances in combining AMPs and antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as their synergistic mechanisms. Lastly, we highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of AMPs as potential antibiotic adjuvants. This will shed new light on the deployment of synergistic combinations to address the AMR crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jingru Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dejuan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Pan Kong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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10
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Wang X, Cui Y, Wang Z, Jiang H, Ma L, Li W, Yang X, Zhang J, Zhao Y, Li G. NhaA: A promising adjuvant target for colistin against resistant Escherichia coli. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131833. [PMID: 38663703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
The emergence and widespread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have posed a severe threat to human health and environmental safety, escalating into a global medical crisis. Utilization of antibiotic adjuvants is a rapid approach to combat bacterial resistance effectively since the development of new antimicrobial agents is a formidable challenge. NhaA, driven by proton motive force, is a crucial secondary transporter on the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. We found that 2-Aminoperimidine (2-AP), which is a specific inhibitor of NhaA, could enhance the activity of colistin against sensitive E. coli and reverse the resistance in mcr-1 positive E. coli. Mechanistic studies indicated that 2-AP induced dysfunction in cytoplasmic membrane through the suppression of NhaA, leading to metabolic inhibition and ultimately enhancing the sensitivity of E. coli to colistin. Moreover, 2-AP restored the efficacy of colistin against resistant E. coli in two animal infection models. Our findings reveal the potential of NhaA as a novel target for colistin adjuvants, providing new possibilities for the clinical application of colistin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelin Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Yong Cui
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Huilin Jiang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Lei Ma
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Wenwen Li
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Division for Medicinal Microorganisms Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing 100050, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Guoqing Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China; Division for Medicinal Microorganisms Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing 100050, China; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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11
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Zheng EJ, Valeri JA, Andrews IW, Krishnan A, Bandyopadhyay P, Anahtar MN, Herneisen A, Schulte F, Linnehan B, Wong F, Stokes JM, Renner LD, Lourido S, Collins JJ. Discovery of antibiotics that selectively kill metabolically dormant bacteria. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:712-728.e9. [PMID: 38029756 PMCID: PMC11031330 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to discover and develop non-toxic antibiotics that are effective against metabolically dormant bacteria, which underlie chronic infections and promote antibiotic resistance. Traditional antibiotic discovery has historically favored compounds effective against actively metabolizing cells, a property that is not predictive of efficacy in metabolically inactive contexts. Here, we combine a stationary-phase screening method with deep learning-powered virtual screens and toxicity filtering to discover compounds with lethality against metabolically dormant bacteria and favorable toxicity profiles. The most potent and structurally distinct compound without any obvious mechanistic liability was semapimod, an anti-inflammatory drug effective against stationary-phase E. coli and A. baumannii. Integrating microbiological assays, biochemical measurements, and single-cell microscopy, we show that semapimod selectively disrupts and permeabilizes the bacterial outer membrane by binding lipopolysaccharide. This work illustrates the value of harnessing non-traditional screening methods and deep learning models to identify non-toxic antibacterial compounds that are effective in infection-relevant contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica J Zheng
- Program in Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jacqueline A Valeri
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ian W Andrews
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Parijat Bandyopadhyay
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Melis N Anahtar
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alice Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fabian Schulte
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brooke Linnehan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Felix Wong
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan M Stokes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Lars D Renner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research and the Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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12
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Mondal AH, Khare K, Saxena P, Debnath P, Mukhopadhyay K, Yadav D. A Review on Colistin Resistance: An Antibiotic of Last Resort. Microorganisms 2024; 12:772. [PMID: 38674716 PMCID: PMC11051878 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a significant global public health issue, driven by the rapid adaptation of microorganisms to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Colistin, previously regarded as a last-resort antibiotic for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, is increasingly becoming resistant due to chromosomal mutations and the acquisition of resistance genes carried by plasmids, particularly the mcr genes. The mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr-1) was first discovered in E. coli from China in 2016. Since that time, studies have reported different variants of mcr genes ranging from mcr-1 to mcr-10, mainly in Enterobacteriaceae from various parts of the world, which is a major concern for public health. The co-presence of colistin-resistant genes with other antibiotic resistance determinants further complicates treatment strategies and underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms driving colistin resistance and monitoring its global prevalence are essential steps in addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and preserving the efficacy of existing antibiotics. This review underscores the critical role of colistin as a last-choice antibiotic, elucidates the mechanisms of colistin resistance and the dissemination of resistant genes, explores the global prevalence of mcr genes, and evaluates the current detection methods for colistin-resistant bacteria. The objective is to shed light on these key aspects with strategies for combating the growing threat of resistance to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Hossain Mondal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram 122505, Haryana, India; (A.H.M.); (P.D.)
| | - Kriti Khare
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (K.K.); (P.S.); (K.M.)
| | - Prachika Saxena
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (K.K.); (P.S.); (K.M.)
| | - Parbati Debnath
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurugram 122505, Haryana, India; (A.H.M.); (P.D.)
| | - Kasturi Mukhopadhyay
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; (K.K.); (P.S.); (K.M.)
| | - Dhananjay Yadav
- Department of Life Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Republic of Korea
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13
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Liu JH, Liu YY, Shen YB, Yang J, Walsh TR, Wang Y, Shen J. Plasmid-mediated colistin-resistance genes: mcr. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:365-378. [PMID: 38008597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.10.006] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Colistin is regarded as a last-line drug against serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Therefore, the emergence of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes has attracted global concern and led to policy changes for the use of colistin in food animals across many countries. Currently, the distribution, function, mechanism of action, transmission vehicles, origin of mcr, and new treatment strategies against MCR-producing pathogens have been extensively studied. Here we review the prevalence, structure and function of mcr, the fitness cost and persistence of mcr-carrying plasmids, the impact of MCR on host immune response, as well as the control strategies to combat mcr-mediated colistin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Hua Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yi-Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ying-Bo Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | | | - Yang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Jianzhong Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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14
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Li J, Han N, Li Y, Zhao F, Xiong W, Zeng Z. The synergistic antibacterial activity and mechanism of colistin-oxethazaine combination against gram-negative pathogens. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1363441. [PMID: 38576480 PMCID: PMC10991713 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1363441] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The rapid spread of bacteria with plasmid-mediated resistance to antibiotics poses a serious threat to public health. The search for potential compounds that can increase the antibacterial activity of existing antibiotics is a promising strategy for addressing this issue. Methods Synergistic activity of the FDA-approved agent oxethazine combined with colistin was investigated in vitro using checkerboard assays and time-kill curves. The synergistic mechanisms of their combination of oxethazine and colistin was explored by fluorescent dye, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and LC-MS/MS. The synergistic efficacy was evaluated in vivo by the Galleria mellonella and mouse sepsis models. Results In this study, we found that oxethazine could effectively enhance the antibacterial activity of colistin against both mcr-positive and -negative pathogens, and mechanistic assays revealed that oxethazine could improve the ability of colistin to destruct bacterial outer membrane and cytoplasmic membrane permeability. In addition, their combination triggered the accumulation of reactive oxygen species causing additional damage to the membrane structure resulting in cell death. Furthermore, oxethazine significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of colistin in two animal models. Conclusion These results suggested that oxethazine, as a promising antibiotic adjuvant, can effectively enhance colistin activity, providing a potential strategy for treating multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ning Han
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenguang Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenling Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Laboratory of Safety Evaluation (Environmental Assessment) of Veterinary Drugs, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Cai Y, Wang X, Zhang T, Yan A, Luo L, Li C, Tian G, Wu Z, Wang X, Shen D, Han Y, Zhang Z. Rational Design of a Potent Antimicrobial Peptide Based on the Active Region of a Gecko Cathelicidin. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:951-960. [PMID: 38315114 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria presents a significant challenge to public health, increasing the risk of infections that are resistant to current antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics in the prevention of MDR bacterial infections. In the present study, we identified a novel cathelicidin AMP from Gekko japonicus, which exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 2.34 to 4.69 μg/mL. To improve its potential therapeutic application, a series of peptides was synthesized based on the active region of the gecko-derived cathelicidin. The lead peptide (RH-16) showed an antimicrobial activity comparable to that of the parent peptide. Structural characterization revealed that RH-16 adopted an amphipathic α-helical conformation. Furthermore, RH-16 demonstrated neither hemolytic nor cytotoxic activity but effectively killed a wide range of clinically isolated, drug-resistant bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of RH-16 was attributed to the nonspecific targeting of bacterial membranes, leading to rapid bacterial membrane permeabilization and rupture. RH-16 also retained its antibacterial activity in plasma and exhibited mild toxicity in vivo. Notably, RH-16 offered robust protection against skin infection in a murine model. Therefore, this newly identified cathelicidin AMP may be a strong candidate for future pharmacological development targeting multidrug resistance. The use of a rational design approach for isolating the minimal antimicrobial unit may accelerate the transition of natural AMPs to clinically applicable antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Xingyu Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - An Yan
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Lin Luo
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming, Yunnan 650118, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming, Yunnan 650118, China
| | - Gengzhou Tian
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zhongxiang Wu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Dong Shen
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Yajun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Zhiye Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
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16
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Ward RD, Tran JS, Banta AB, Bacon EE, Rose WE, Peters JM. Essential gene knockdowns reveal genetic vulnerabilities and antibiotic sensitivities in Acinetobacter baumannii. mBio 2024; 15:e0205123. [PMID: 38126769 PMCID: PMC10865783 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02051-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria underscores the need to define genetic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. The Gram-negative pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, is considered an urgent threat due to its propensity to evade antibiotic treatments. Essential cellular processes are the target of existing antibiotics and a likely source of new vulnerabilities. Although A. baumannii essential genes have been identified by transposon sequencing, they have not been prioritized by sensitivity to knockdown or antibiotics. Here, we take a systems biology approach to comprehensively characterize A. baumannii essential genes using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We show that certain essential genes and pathways are acutely sensitive to knockdown, providing a set of vulnerable targets for future therapeutic investigation. Screening our CRISPRi library against last-resort antibiotics uncovered genes and pathways that modulate beta-lactam sensitivity, an unexpected link between NADH dehydrogenase activity and growth inhibition by polymyxins, and anticorrelated phenotypes that may explain synergy between polymyxins and rifamycins. Our study demonstrates the power of systematic genetic approaches to identify vulnerabilities in Gram-negative pathogens and uncovers antibiotic-essential gene interactions that better inform combination therapies.IMPORTANCEAcinetobacter baumannii is a hospital-acquired pathogen that is resistant to many common antibiotic treatments. To combat resistant A. baumannii infections, we need to identify promising therapeutic targets and effective antibiotic combinations. In this study, we comprehensively characterize the genes and pathways that are critical for A. baumannii viability. We show that genes involved in aerobic metabolism are central to A. baumannii physiology and may represent appealing drug targets. We also find antibiotic-gene interactions that may impact the efficacy of carbapenems, rifamycins, and polymyxins, providing a new window into how these antibiotics function in mono- and combination therapies. Our studies offer a useful approach for characterizing interactions between drugs and essential genes in pathogens to inform future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D. Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jennifer S. Tran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amy B. Banta
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Emily E. Bacon
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Warren E. Rose
- Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jason M. Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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17
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Lu Y, Qiao W, Xue Y, Hong X, Jin Y, Li J, Peng X, Zeng D, Zeng Z. Antibacterial activity of isopropoxy benzene guanidine against Riemerella anatipestifer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1347250. [PMID: 38370472 PMCID: PMC10870170 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1347250] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer) is an important pathogen in waterfowl, leading to substantial economic losses. In recent years, there has been a notable escalation in the drug resistance rate of R. anatipestifer. Consequently, there is an imperative need to expedite the development of novel antibacterial medications to effectively manage the infection caused by R. anatipestifer. Methods: This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of a novel substituted benzene guanidine analog, namely, isopropoxy benzene guanidine (IBG), against R. anatipestifer by using the microdilution method, time-killing curve, and a pericarditis model. The possible mechanisms of these activities were explored. Results and Discussion: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of IBG for R. anatipestifer was 0.5-2 μg/mL. Time-killing curves showed a concentration-dependent antibacterial effect. IBG alone or in combination with gentamicin significantly reduced the bacterial load of R. anatipestifer in the pericarditis model. Serial-passage mutagenicity assays showed a low probability for developing IBG resistance. Mechanistic studies suggested that IBG induced membrane damage by binding to phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, leading to an imbalance in membrane potential and the transmembrane proton gradient, as well as the decreased of intracellular adenosine triphosphate. In summary, IBG is a potential antibacterial for controlling R. anatipestifer infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixing Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weimei Qiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaqian Xue
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxin Hong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhang Jin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianfeng Peng
- Guangzhou Insighter Biotechnology Co, Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongping Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenling Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Dey R, Mukherjee S, Mukherjee R, Haldar J. Small molecular adjuvants repurpose antibiotics towards Gram-negative bacterial infections and multispecies bacterial biofilms. Chem Sci 2023; 15:259-270. [PMID: 38143555 PMCID: PMC10739173 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05124b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacterial infections pose a significant challenge due to two major resistance elements, including the impermeability of the outer membrane and the overexpression of efflux pumps, which contribute to antibiotic resistance. Additionally, the coexistence of multispecies superbugs in mixed species biofilms further complicates treatment, as these infections are refractory to most antibiotics. To address this issue, combining obsolete antibiotics with non-antibiotic adjuvants that target bacterial membranes has shown promise in combating antibacterial resistance. However, the clinical translation of this cocktail therapy has been hindered by the toxicity associated with these membrane active adjuvants, mainly due to a limited understanding of their structure and mechanism of action. Towards this goal, herein, we have designed a small molecular adjuvant by tuning different structural parameters, such as the balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, spatial positioning of hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding interactions, causing moderate membrane perturbation in bacterial cells without any toxicity to mammalian cells. Moderate membrane perturbation not only enhances the internalization of antibiotics, but also increases the intracellular concentration of drugs by hampering the efflux machinery. This revitalises the efficacy of various classes of antibiotics by 32-512 fold, without inducing toxicity. The leading combination not only exhibits potent bactericidal activity against A. baumannii biofilms but also effectively disrupts mature multispecies biofilms composed of A. baumannii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is typically resistant to most antibiotics. Importantly, the combination therapy demonstrates good biocompatibility and excellent in vivo antibacterial efficacy (>99% reduction) in a skin infection model of A. baumannii. Interestingly, A. baumannii shows reduced susceptibility to develop resistance against the leading combination, underscoring its potential for treating multi-drug resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajib Dey
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Sudip Mukherjee
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Riya Mukherjee
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
| | - Jayanta Haldar
- Antimicrobial Research Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
- School of Advanced Materials, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur Bengaluru 560064 Karnataka India
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19
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Sheng Q, Wang N, Zhou Y, Deng X, Hou X, Wang J, Qiu J, Deng Y. A new function of thymol nanoemulsion for reversing colistin resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:2983-2994. [PMID: 37923362 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad342] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adjuvant addition of approved drugs or foodborne additives to colistin might be a cost-effective strategy to overcome the challenge of plasmid-mediated mobile colistin resistance gene emergence, which poses a threat in the clinic and in livestock caused by infections with Gram-negative bacteria, especially carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS Chequerboard assay was applied to screen the colistin adjuvants from natural compounds. The killing-time curve, combined disc test and membrane permeation assay were conducted to identify the synergy efficacy of thymol and colistin in vitro. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC), LC-MS and fluorescence spectra were used to indicate the interaction of thymol and MCR-1. The potential binding sites were then investigated by molecular simulation dynamics. Finally, a thymol nanoemulsion was prepared with high-pressure homogenization as the clinical dosage form. RESULTS Thymol presented an excellent synergistic effect in vitro with colistin against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli bacteria. Thymol addition, forming a complex with MCR-1, might interfere with the efficacy of MCR-1. Moreover, thymol strengthened colistin activity associated with potentiating membrane damage, destroying the biofilm and enhancing reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative damage. Thymol nanoemulsion combined with colistin remarkably prevented the intestinal damage caused by S. Typhimurium infection, resulting in a survival rate higher than 60%. CONCLUSIONS This study achieved a promising thymol oral formulation as colistin adjuvant to combat S. Typhimurium infection, which could be used to extend the lifespan of colistin in clinical veterinary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushuang Sheng
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Microbiology, Jilin Province Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Nan Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yonglin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xuming Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoning Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiazhang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Center for Pathogen Biology and Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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20
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Chatupheeraphat C, Peamchai J, Luk-in S, Yainoy S, Eiamphungporn W. Synergistic effect of two antimicrobial peptides, BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 with conventional antibiotics against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294287. [PMID: 37972089 PMCID: PMC10653547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294287] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Enterobacterales infections are a great health concern due to the lack of effective treatments. Consequently, finding novel antimicrobials or combining therapies becomes a crucial approach in addressing this problem. BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2, novel antimicrobial peptides, have exhibited effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we assessed the in vitro antibacterial activity of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2, along with their synergistic interaction with conventional antibiotics including colistin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 against tested E. coli isolates were 2-16 and 8-32 μg/mL, respectively. However, for the majority of K. pneumoniae isolates, the MIC of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 were >128 μg/mL. Notably, our results demonstrated a synergistic effect when combining BP203 with rifampicin, meropenem, or chloramphenicol, primarily observed in most K. pneumoniae isolates. In contrast, no synergism was evident between BP203 and colistin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime, rifampicin, or ciprofloxacin when tested against all E. coli isolates. Furthermore, synergistic effects between MAP-0403 J-2 and rifampicin, ceftazidime or colistin were observed against the majority of E. coli isolates. Similarly, the combined effect of MAP-0403 J-2 with rifampicin or chloramphenicol was synergistic in the majority of K. pneumoniae isolates. Importantly, these peptides displayed the stability at high temperatures, across a wide range of pH values, in specific serum concentrations and under physiological salt conditions. Both peptides also showed no significant hemolysis and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Our findings suggested that BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 are promising candidates against colistin-resistant E. coli. Meanwhile, the synergism of these peptides and certain antibiotics could be of great therapeutic value as antimicrobial drugs against infections caused by colistin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jiratchaya Peamchai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirirat Luk-in
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakda Yainoy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warawan Eiamphungporn
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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21
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Slingerland CJ, Lysenko V, Chaudhuri S, Wesseling CMJ, Barnes D, Masereeuw R, Martin NI. Semisynthetic polymyxins with potent antibacterial activity and reduced kidney cell toxicity. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2417-2425. [PMID: 37974968 PMCID: PMC10650952 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00456b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing incidence of infections caused by multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria has led to an increased use of last-resort antibiotics such as the polymyxins. Polymyxin therapy is limited by toxicity concerns, most notably nephrotoxicity. Recently we reported the development of a novel class of semisynthetic polymyxins with reduced toxicity wherein the N-terminal lipid and diaminobutyric acid residue are replaced by a cysteine-linked lipid featuring a reductively labile disulfide bond. In the present study we further explored the potential of this approach by also varying the amino acid residue directly adjacent to the polymyxin macrocycle. This led to the identification of new semisynthetic polymyxins that maintain the potent antibacterial activity of the clinically used polymyxin B while exhibiting a further reduction in toxicity toward human proximal tubule epithelial cells. Furthermore, these new polymyxins were found to effectively synergize with novobiocin, rifampicin, and erythromycin against mcr-positive, polymyxin resistant E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis J Slingerland
- Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University Sylviusweg 72 2333 BE Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Vladyslav Lysenko
- Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University Sylviusweg 72 2333 BE Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Samhita Chaudhuri
- Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University Sylviusweg 72 2333 BE Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte M J Wesseling
- Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University Sylviusweg 72 2333 BE Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Devon Barnes
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University 3584 CG Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University 3584 CG Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Nathaniel I Martin
- Biological Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University Sylviusweg 72 2333 BE Leiden The Netherlands
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22
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Han R, Xing J, Sun H, Guo Z, Yi K, Hu G, Zhai Y, Velkov T, Wu H. The antihelminth drug rafoxanide reverses chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae. mSphere 2023; 8:e0023423. [PMID: 37747188 PMCID: PMC10597454 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00234-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and rapid spread of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a serious threat to global healthcare. Although the synergistic effect of rafoxanide and colistin was reported, little is known regarding the potential mechanism of this synergy, particularly against chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. In the present study, we elucidated the synergistic effect of rafoxanide and colistin against chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from human (KP-9) and swine (KP-1) infections. Treatment with 1 mg/L rafoxanide overtly reversed the MIC max to 512-fold. Time-kill assays indicated that rafoxanide acted synergistically with colistin against the growth of KP-1 and KP-9. Mechanistically, we unexpectedly found that the combination destroys the inner-membrane integrity, and ATP synthesis was also quenched, albeit, not via F1F0-ATPase; thereby also inhibiting the activity of efflux pumps. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also an underlying factor contributing to the bacterial-killing effect of the combination. Transcriptomic analysis unraveled overt heterogeneous expression as treated with both administrations compared with monotherapy. Functional analysis of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) targeted to the plasma membrane and ATP-binding corroborated phenotypic screening results. These novel findings highlight the synergistic mechanism of rafoxanide in combination with colistin which effectively eradicates chromosomal-mediated colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. IMPORTANCE The antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae caused by the abuse of colistin has increased the difficulty of clinical treatment. A promising combination (i.e., rafoxanide+ colistin) has successfully rescued the antibacterial effect of colistin. However, we still failed to know the potential effect of this combination on chromosome-mediated Klebsiella pneumoniae. Through a series of in vitro experiments, as well as transcriptomic profiling, we confirmed that the MIC of colistin was reduced by rafoxanide by destroying the inner-membrane integrity, quenching ATP synthesis, inhibiting the activity of the efflux pump, and increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. In turn, the expression of relevant colistin resistance genes was down-regulated. Collectively, our study revealed rafoxanide as a promising colistin adjuvant against chromosome-mediated Klebsiella pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongjia Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiabao Xing
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huarun Sun
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zeyu Guo
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (SCAU), College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kaifang Yi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gongzheng Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yajun Zhai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tony Velkov
- Department of Pharmacology, Biodiscovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hua Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Biodiscovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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23
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Donkor GY, Anderson GM, Stadler M, Tawiah PO, Orellano CD, Edwards KA, Dahl JU. A novel ruthenium-silver based antimicrobial potentiates aminoglycoside activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSphere 2023; 8:e0019023. [PMID: 37646510 PMCID: PMC10597350 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00190-23] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance combined with the decline in the discovery of novel antibiotics represents a major challenge for infectious disease control that can only be mitigated by investments in novel treatment strategies. Alternative antimicrobials, including silver, have regained interest due to their diverse mechanisms of inhibiting microbial growth. One such example is AGXX, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that produces highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to inflict extensive macromolecular damage. Due to the connections identified between ROS production and antibiotic lethality, we hypothesized that AGXX could potentially increase the activity of conventional antibiotics. Using the gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we screened possible synergistic effects of AGXX on several antibiotic classes. We found that the combination of AGXX and aminoglycosides tested at sublethal concentrations led to a rapid exponential decrease in bacterial survival and restored the sensitivity of a kanamycin-resistant strain. ROS production contributes significantly to the bactericidal effects of AGXX/aminoglycoside treatments, which is dependent on oxygen availability and can be reduced by the addition of ROS scavengers. Additionally, P. aeruginosa strains deficient in ROS detoxifying/repair genes were more susceptible to AGXX/aminoglycoside treatment. We further demonstrate that this synergistic interaction was associated with a significant increase in outer and inner membrane permeability, resulting in increased antibiotic influx. Our study also revealed that AGXX/aminoglycoside-mediated killing requires an active proton motive force across the bacterial membrane. Overall, our findings provide an understanding of cellular targets that could be inhibited to increase the activity of conventional antimicrobials. IMPORTANCE The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria coupled with the decline in antibiotic development highlights the need for novel alternatives. Thus, new strategies aimed at repurposing conventional antibiotics have gained significant interest. The necessity of these interventions is evident especially in gram-negative pathogens as they are particularly difficult to treat due to their outer membrane. This study highlights the effectiveness of the antimicrobial AGXX in potentiating aminoglycoside activities against P. aeruginosa. The combination of AGXX and aminoglycosides not only reduces bacterial survival rapidly but also significantly re-sensitizes aminoglycoside-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. In combination with gentamicin, AGXX induces increased endogenous oxidative stress, membrane damage, and iron-sulfur cluster disruption. These findings emphasize AGXX's potential as a route of antibiotic adjuvant development and shed light on potential targets to enhance aminoglycoside activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracious Yoofi Donkor
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Microbiology, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Greg M. Anderson
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Microbiology, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael Stadler
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Microbiology, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Patrick Ofori Tawiah
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Microbiology, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Carl D. Orellano
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Microbiology, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Kevin A. Edwards
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Cell Biology, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Jan-Ulrik Dahl
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Microbiology, Normal, Illinois, USA
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24
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Browne K, Kuppusamy R, Walsh WR, Black DS, Willcox MDP, Kumar N, Chen R. Antimicrobial Peptidomimetics Prevent the Development of Resistance against Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin in Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14966. [PMID: 37834415 PMCID: PMC10573972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914966] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria readily acquire resistance to traditional antibiotics, resulting in pan-resistant strains with no available treatment. Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge and without the development of effective antimicrobials, the foundation of modern medicine is at risk. Combination therapies such as antibiotic-antibiotic and antibiotic-adjuvant combinations are strategies used to combat antibiotic resistance. Current research focuses on antimicrobial peptidomimetics as adjuvant compounds, due to their promising activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here, for the first time we demonstrate that antibiotic-peptidomimetic combinations mitigate the development of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When ciprofloxacin and gentamicin were passaged individually at sub-inhibitory concentrations for 10 days, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) increased up to 32-fold and 128-fold for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. In contrast, when antibiotics were passaged in combination with peptidomimetics (Melimine, Mel4, RK758), the MICs of both antibiotics and peptidomimetics remained constant, indicating these combinations were able to mitigate the development of antibiotic-resistance. Furthermore, antibiotic-peptidomimetic combinations demonstrated synergistic activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, reducing the concentration needed for bactericidal activity. This has significant potential clinical applications-including preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains in hospitals and communities, reviving ineffective antibiotics, and lowering the toxicity of antimicrobial chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Browne
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
- Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratories (SORL), Prince of Wales Clinical School, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Rajesh Kuppusamy
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - William R. Walsh
- Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratories (SORL), Prince of Wales Clinical School, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - David StC Black
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Mark D. P. Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Renxun Chen
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
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25
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Rangel K, Lechuga GC, Provance DW, Morel CM, De Simone SG. An Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1281. [PMID: 37765087 PMCID: PMC10537560 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091281] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antibiotic-resistant strains of clinically important pathogens is a major threat to global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgent need to develop alternative treatments to address the growing list of priority pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) rank among the suggested options with proven activity and high potential to be developed into effective drugs. Many AMPs are naturally produced by living organisms protecting the host against pathogens as a part of their innate immunity. Mechanisms associated with AMP actions include cell membrane disruption, cell wall weakening, protein synthesis inhibition, and interference in nucleic acid dynamics, inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical pathogen, as severe clinical implications have developed from isolates resistant to current antibiotic treatments and conventional control procedures, such as UV light, disinfectants, and drying. Here, we review the natural AMPs representing primary candidates for new anti-A. baumannii drugs in post-antibiotic-era and present computational tools to develop the next generation of AMPs with greater microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyne Rangel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - David W. Provance
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Salvatore G. De Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Population Diseases (INCT-IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil; (K.R.); (G.C.L.); (D.W.P.J.); (C.M.M.)
- Epidemiology and Molecular Systematics Laboratory (LEMS), Oswaldo Cruz Institut, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Science and Biotechnology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 22040-036, RJ, Brazil
- Program of Post-Graduation on Parasitic Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
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26
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Tiwari P, Srivastava Y, Sharma A, Vinayagam R. Antimicrobial Peptides: The Production of Novel Peptide-Based Therapeutics in Plant Systems. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1875. [PMID: 37763279 PMCID: PMC10532476 DOI: 10.3390/life13091875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance is alarming and has a significant impact on the economies of emerging and underdeveloped nations. The redundancy of antibiotic discovery platforms (ADPs) and injudicious use of conventional antibiotics has severely impacted millions, across the globe. Potent antimicrobials from biological sources have been extensively explored as a ray of hope to counter the growing menace of antibiotic resistance in the population. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are gaining momentum as powerful antimicrobial therapies to combat drug-resistant bacterial strains. The tremendous therapeutic potential of natural and synthesized AMPs as novel and potent antimicrobials is highlighted by their unique mode of action, as exemplified by multiple research initiatives. Recent advances and developments in antimicrobial discovery and research have increased our understanding of the structure, characteristics, and function of AMPs; nevertheless, knowledge gaps still need to be addressed before these therapeutic options can be fully exploited. This thematic article provides a comprehensive insight into the potential of AMPs as potent arsenals to counter drug-resistant pathogens, a historical overview and recent advances, and their efficient production in plants, defining novel upcoming trends in drug discovery and research. The advances in synthetic biology and plant-based expression systems for AMP production have defined new paradigms in the efficient production of potent antimicrobials in plant systems, a prospective approach to countering drug-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Tiwari
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yashdeep Srivastava
- RR Institute of Modern Technology, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226201, Uttar Pradesh, India;
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Institute of Advanced Research, Koba Institutional Area, Gandhinagar 392426, Gujarat, India;
| | - Ramachandran Vinayagam
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea;
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Han Y, Zhang Y, Zeng W, Huang Z, Cheng H, Kong J, Xu C, Xu M, Zhou T, Cao J. Synergy with farnesol rejuvenates colistin activity against Colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106899. [PMID: 37354920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Colistin (COL) is considered the last line of treatment against infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). However, the increasing number of colistin-resistant (COL-R) bacteria is a great threat to public health. In this study, a strategy of combining farnesol (FAR), which has anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, with COL to restart COL activity was proposed. The synergistic effect of FAR combined with COL against COL-R GNB in vivo and in vitro were investigated. The excellent synergistic antibacterial activity of the COL-FAR combination was confirmed by performing the checkerboard assay, time-killing assay, and LIVE/DEAD bacterial cell viability assay. Crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that COL-FAR prevented biofilm formation and eradicated pre-existing mature biofilm. Cytotoxicity assay showed that FAR at 64 µg/mL was not cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cells. In vivo infection experiments showed that COL-FAR increased the survival rate of infected Galleria mellonella and decreased the bacterial load in a mouse thigh infection model. These results indicate that COL-FAR is a potentially effective therapeutic option for combating COL-R GNB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Han
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weiliang Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Haojun Cheng
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jingchun Kong
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chunquan Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Mengxin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province.
| | - Jianming Cao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
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Di Bonaventura G, Lupetti V, Di Giulio A, Muzzi M, Piccirilli A, Cariani L, Pompilio A. Repurposing High-Throughput Screening Identifies Unconventional Drugs with Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa under Experimental Conditions Relevant to Cystic Fibrosis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0035223. [PMID: 37306577 PMCID: PMC10433973 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00352-23] [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: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen infecting cystic fibrosis (CF) lungs, causing acute and chronic infections. Intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance allow P. aeruginosa to colonize and persist despite antibiotic treatment, making new therapeutic approaches necessary. Combining high-throughput screening and drug repurposing is an effective way to develop new therapeutic uses for drugs. This study screened a drug library of 3,386 drugs, mostly FDA approved, to identify antimicrobials against P. aeruginosa under physicochemical conditions relevant to CF-infected lungs. Based on the antibacterial activity, assessed spectrophotometrically against the prototype RP73 strain and 10 other CF virulent strains, and the toxic potential evaluated toward CF IB3-1 bronchial epithelial cells, five potential hits were selected for further analysis: the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ebselen, the anticancer drugs tirapazamine, carmofur, and 5-fluorouracil, and the antifungal tavaborole. A time-kill assay showed that ebselen has the potential to cause rapid and dose-dependent bactericidal activity. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated by viable cell count and crystal violet assays, revealing carmofur and 5-fluorouracil as the most active drugs in preventing biofilm formation regardless of the concentration. In contrast, tirapazamine and tavaborole were the only drugs actively dispersing preformed biofilms. Tavaborole was the most active drug against CF pathogens other than P. aeruginosa, especially against Burkholderia cepacia and Acinetobacter baumannii, while carmofur, ebselen, and tirapazamine were particularly active against Staphylococcus aureus and B. cepacia. Electron microscopy and propidium iodide uptake assay revealed that ebselen, carmofur, and tirapazamine significantly damage cell membranes, with leakage and cytoplasm loss, by increasing membrane permeability. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance makes it urgent to design new strategies for treating pulmonary infections in CF patients. The repurposing approach accelerates drug discovery and development, as the drugs' general pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological properties are already well known. In the present study, for the first time, a high-throughput compound library screening was performed under experimental conditions relevant to CF-infected lungs. Among 3,386 drugs screened, the clinically used drugs from outside infection treatment ebselen, tirapazamine, carmofur, 5-fluorouracil, and tavaborole showed, although to different extents, anti-P. aeruginosa activity against planktonic and biofilm cells and broad-spectrum activity against other CF pathogens at concentrations not toxic to bronchial epithelial cells. The mode-of-action studies revealed ebselen, carmofur, and tirapazamine targeted the cell membrane, increasing its permeability with subsequent cell lysis. These drugs are strong candidates for repurposing for treating CF lung P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Di Bonaventura
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Veronica Lupetti
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Piccirilli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Lisa Cariani
- Microbiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Pompilio
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Ward RD, Tran JS, Banta AB, Bacon EE, Rose WE, Peters JM. Essential Gene Knockdowns Reveal Genetic Vulnerabilities and Antibiotic Sensitivities in Acinetobacter baumannii. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.02.551708. [PMID: 37577569 PMCID: PMC10418195 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.02.551708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria underscores the need to define genetic vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. The Gram-negative pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, is considered an urgent threat due to its propensity to evade antibiotic treatments. Essential cellular processes are the target of existing antibiotics and a likely source of new vulnerabilities. Although A. baumannii essential genes have been identified by transposon sequencing (Tn-seq), they have not been prioritized by sensitivity to knockdown or antibiotics. Here, we take a systems biology approach to comprehensively characterize A. baumannii essential genes using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). We show that certain essential genes and pathways are acutely sensitive to knockdown, providing a set of vulnerable targets for future therapeutic investigation. Screening our CRISPRi library against last-resort antibiotics uncovered genes and pathways that modulate beta-lactam sensitivity, an unexpected link between NADH dehydrogenase activity and growth inhibition by polymyxins, and anticorrelated phenotypes that underpin synergy between polymyxins and rifamycins. Our study demonstrates the power of systematic genetic approaches to identify vulnerabilities in Gram-negative pathogens and uncovers antibiotic-essential gene interactions that better inform combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Ward
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Jennifer S Tran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Amy B Banta
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726
| | - Emily E Bacon
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Warren E Rose
- Pharmacy Practice Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Jason M Peters
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
- Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Center for Genomic Science Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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30
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Wannigama DL, Sithu Shein AM, Hurst C, Monk PN, Hongsing P, Phattharapornjaroen P, Fox Ditcham WG, Ounjai P, Saethang T, Chantaravisoot N, Wapeesittipan P, Luk-in S, Sae-Joo S, Nilgate S, Rirerm U, Tanasatitchai C, Kueakulpattana N, Laowansiri M, Liao T, Kupwiwat R, Rojanathanes R, Ngamwongsatit N, Tungsanga S, Leelahavanichkul A, Devanga Ragupathi NK, Badavath VN, Hosseini Rad SA, Kanjanabuch T, Hirankarn N, Storer RJ, Cui L, Amarasiri M, Ishikawa H, Higgins PG, Stick SM, Kicic A, Chatsuwan T, Abe S. Ca-EDTA restores the activity of ceftazidime-avibactam or aztreonam against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiellapneumoniae infections. iScience 2023; 26:107215. [PMID: 37496674 PMCID: PMC10366478 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing an effective therapy to overcome carbapenemase-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKp) is an important therapeutic challenge that must be addressed urgently. Here, we explored a Ca-EDTA combination with aztreonam or ceftazidime-avibactam in vitro and in vivo against diverse CPKp clinical isolates. The synergy testing of this study demonstrated that novel aztreonam-Ca-EDTA or ceftazidime-avibactam-Ca-EDTA combination was significantly effective in eliminating planktonic and mature biofilms in vitro, as well as eradicating CPKp infections in vivo. Both combinations revealed significant therapeutic efficacies in reducing bacterial load in internal organs and protecting treated mice from mortality. Conclusively, this is the first in vitro and in vivo study to demonstrate that novel aztreonam-Ca-EDTA or ceftazidime-avibactam-Ca-EDTA combinations provide favorable efficacy and safety for successful eradication of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae planktonic and biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhammika Leshan Wannigama
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium of ODA Receiving Countries, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Pathogen Hunter’s Research Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Aye Mya Sithu Shein
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Cameron Hurst
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter N. Monk
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield Medical School, UK
| | - Parichart Hongsing
- Mae Fah Luang University Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Center of Excellence, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - William Graham Fox Ditcham
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Puey Ounjai
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thammakorn Saethang
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naphat Chantaravisoot
- Center of Excellence in Systems Biology, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Sirirat Luk-in
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasipen Sae-Joo
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sumanee Nilgate
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ubolrat Rirerm
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chanikan Tanasatitchai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naris Kueakulpattana
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Matchima Laowansiri
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tingting Liao
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Microcirculation, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rosalyn Kupwiwat
- Pathogen Hunter’s Research Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- Department of Dermatology. Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rojrit Rojanathanes
- Center of Excellence in Materials and Bio-Interfaces, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Natharin Ngamwongsatit
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Somkanya Tungsanga
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Division of General Internal Medicine-Nephrology Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology Research Unit (TRIRU), Department of Microbiology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naveen Kumar Devanga Ragupathi
- Pathogen Hunter’s Research Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Vishnu Nayak Badavath
- School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Hyderabad 509301, India
| | - S.M. Ali Hosseini Rad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago 9010, New Zealand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Talerngsak Kanjanabuch
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Kidney Metabolic Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dialysis Policy and Practice Program (DiP3), School of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Peritoneal Dialysis Excellence Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattiya Hirankarn
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Robin James Storer
- Office of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Longzhu Cui
- Division of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Mohan Amarasiri
- Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, Department of Health Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Kitasato, Sagamihara-Minami, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ishikawa
- Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Kamiyanagi, Yamagata 990-2212, Japan
| | - Paul G. Higgins
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephen M. Stick
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Tanittha Chatsuwan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Shuichi Abe
- Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium of ODA Receiving Countries, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Pathogen Hunter’s Research Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
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Donkor GY, Anderson GM, Stadler M, Tawiah PO, Orellano CD, Edwards KA, Dahl JU. The Novel Silver-Containing Antimicrobial Potentiates Aminoglycoside Activity Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.15.532855. [PMID: 36993297 PMCID: PMC10055142 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.15.532855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance combined with the decline in the discovery of novel antibiotics represents a major challenge for infectious disease control that can only be mitigated by investments into novel treatment strategies. Alternative antimicrobials, including silver, have regained interest due to their diverse mechanisms of inhibiting microbial growth. One such example is AGXX®, a broad-spectrum silver containing antimicrobial that produces highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to inflict extensive macromolecular damage. Due to connections identified between ROS production and antibiotic lethality, we hypothesized that AGXX® could potentially increase the activity of conventional antibiotics. Using the gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we screened possible synergistic effects of AGXX® on several antibiotic classes. We found that the combination of AGXX® and aminoglycosides tested at sublethal concentrations led to a rapid exponential decrease in bacterial survival and restored sensitivity of a kanamycin-resistant strain. ROS production contributes significantly to the bactericidal effects of AGXX®/aminoglycoside treatments, which is dependent on oxygen availability and can be reduced by the addition of ROS scavengers. Additionally, P. aeruginosa strains deficient in ROS detoxifying/repair genes were more susceptible to AGXX®/aminoglycoside treatment. We further demonstrate that this synergistic interaction was associated with significant increase in outer and inner membrane permeability, resulting in increased antibiotic influx. Our study also revealed that AGXX®/aminoglycoside-mediated killing requires an active proton motive force across the bacterial membrane. Overall, our findings provide an understanding of cellular targets that could be inhibited to increase the activity of conventional antimicrobials.
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Pandit S, Jacquemin L, Zhang J, Gao Z, Nishina Y, Meyer RL, Mijakovic I, Bianco A, Pang C. Polymyxin B complexation enhances the antimicrobial potential of graphene oxide. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1209563. [PMID: 37415828 PMCID: PMC10321305 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1209563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The antibacterial activity of graphene oxide (GO) has been widely explored and tested against various pathogenic bacterial strains. Although antimicrobial activity of GO against planktonic bacterial cells was demonstrated, its bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect alone is not sufficient to damage sedentary and well protected bacterial cells inside biofilms. Thus, to be utilized as an effective antibacterial agent, it is necessary to improve the antibacterial activity of GO either by integration with other nanomaterials or by attachment of antimicrobial agents. In this study, antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B (PMB) was adsorbed onto the surface of pristine GO and GO functionalized with triethylene glycol. Methods The antibacterial effects of the resulting materials were examined by evaluating minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, time kill assay, live/dead viability staining and scanning electron microscopy. Results and discussion PMB adsorption significantly enhanced the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity of GO against both planktonic cells and bacterial cells in biofilms. Furthermore, the coatings of PMB-adsorbed GO applied to catheter tubes strongly mitigated biofilm formation, by preventing bacterial adhesion and killing the bacterial cells that managed to attach. The presented results suggest that antibacterial peptide absorption can significantly enhance the antibacterial activity of GO and the resulting material can be effectively used not only against planktonic bacteria but also against infectious biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Pandit
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lucas Jacquemin
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jian Zhang
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Zhengfeng Gao
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yuta Nishina
- Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Rikke Louise Meyer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ivan Mijakovic
- Systems and Synthetic Biology Division, Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation, Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Alberto Bianco
- CNRS, Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry, UPR 3572, University of Strasbourg, ISIS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Chengfang Pang
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- The Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Koteva K, Xu M, Wang W, Fiebig-Comyn AA, Cook MA, Coombes BK, Wright GD. Synthetic Biology Facilitates Semisynthetic Development of Type V Glycopeptide Antibiotics Targeting Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37315221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The continued efficacy of glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs) against Gram-positive bacteria is challenged by the emergence and spread of GPA-resistant pathogens, particularly vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The growing frequency of GPA resistance propels the need for innovative development of more effective antibiotics. Unlike canonical GPAs like vancomycin, Type V GPAs adopt a distinct mode of action by binding peptidoglycan and blocking the activity of autolysins essential for cell division, rendering them a promising class of antibiotics for further development. In this study, the Type V GPA, rimomycin A, was modified to generate 32 new analogues. Compound 17, derived from rimomycin A through N-terminal acylation and C-terminal amidation, exhibited improved anti-VRE activity and solubility. In a VRE-A neutropenic thigh infection mouse model, compound 17 significantly lowered the bacterial load by 3-4 orders of magnitude. This study sets the stage to develop next-generation GPAs in response to growing VRE infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalinka Koteva
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Min Xu
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, West 7th Avenue No. 32, 300308 Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, West 15th Avenue No. 21, 300308 Tianjin, China
| | - Wenliang Wang
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Aline A Fiebig-Comyn
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Michael A Cook
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Brian K Coombes
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Gerard D Wright
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
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Hormazábal DB, Reyes ÁB, Castro F, Cabrera AR, Dreyse P, Melo-González F, Bueno SM, González IA, Palavecino CE. Synergistic effect of Ru(II)-based type II photodynamic therapy with cefotaxime on clinical isolates of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114949. [PMID: 37267640 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as ESBL producing-Klebsiella pneumoniae, have increased substantially, encouraging the development of complementary therapies such as photodynamic inactivation (PDI). PDI uses photosensitizer (PS) compounds that kill bacteria using light to produce reactive oxygen species. We test Ru-based PS to inhibit K. pneumoniae and advance in the characterization of the mode of action. The PDI activity of PSRu-L2, and PSRu-L3, was determined by serial micro dilutions exposing K. pneumoniae to 0.612 J/cm 2 of light dose. PS interaction with cefotaxime was determined on a collection of 118 clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. To characterize the mode of action of PDI, the bacterial response to oxidative stress was measured by RT-qPCR. Also, the cytotoxicity on mammalian cells was assessed by trypan blue exclusion. Over clinical isolates, the compounds are bactericidal, at doses of 8 µg/mL PSRu-L2 and 4 µg/mL PSRu-L3, inhibit bacterial growth by 3 log10 (>99.9%) with a lethality of 30 min. A remarkable synergistic effect of the PSRu-L2 and PSRu-L3 compounds with cefotaxime increased the bactericidal effect in a subpopulation of 66 ESBL-clinical isolates to > 6 log10 with an FIC-value of 0.16 and 0.17, respectively. The bacterial transcription response suggests that the mode of action occurs through Type II oxidative stress. The upregulation of the extracytoplasmic virulence factors mrkD, magA, and rmpA accompanied this response. Also, the compounds show little or no toxicity in vitro on HEp-2 and HEK293T cells. Through the type II effect, PSs compounds are bactericidal, synergistic on K. pneumoniae, and have low cytotoxicity in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Berenice Hormazábal
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación y Postgrado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Lord Cochrane 418, Santiago 8330546, Chile
| | - Ángeles Beatriz Reyes
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación y Postgrado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Lord Cochrane 418, Santiago 8330546, Chile
| | - Francisco Castro
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alan R Cabrera
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química y de Farmacia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Dreyse
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. España 1680, Casilla 2390123, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Felipe Melo-González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330025, Chile
| | - Susan M Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330025, Chile
| | - Iván A González
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Matemática y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Las Palmeras 3360, Ñuñoa, Santiago 7800003, Chile.
| | - Christian Erick Palavecino
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Celular, Instituto de Investigación y Postgrado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Lord Cochrane 418, Santiago 8330546, Chile.
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Al-Marzooq F, Ghazawi A, Daoud L, Tariq S. Boosting the Antibacterial Activity of Azithromycin on Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli by Efflux Pump Inhibition Coupled with Outer Membrane Permeabilization Induced by Phenylalanine-Arginine β-Naphthylamide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108662. [PMID: 37240007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The global spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria increases the demand for the discovery of new antibiotics and adjuvants. Phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (PAβN) is an inhibitor of efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria, such as the AcrAB-TolC complex in Escherichia coli. We aimed to explore the synergistic effect and mechanism of action of PAβN combined with azithromycin (AZT) on a group of MDR E. coli strains. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested for 56 strains, which were screened for macrolide resistance genes. Then, 29 strains were tested for synergy using the checkerboard assay. PAβN significantly enhanced AZT activity in a dose-dependent manner in strains expressing the mphA gene and encoding macrolide phosphotransferase, but not in strains carrying the ermB gene and encoding macrolide methylase. Early bacterial killing (6 h) was observed in a colistin-resistant strain with the mcr-1 gene, leading to lipid remodeling, which caused outer membrane (OM) permeability defects. Clear OM damage was revealed by transmission electron microscopy in bacteria exposed to high doses of PAβN. Increased OM permeability was also proven by fluorometric assays, confirming the action of PAβN on OM. PAβN maintained its activity as an efflux pump inhibitor at low doses without permeabilizing OM. A non-significant increase in acrA, acrB, and tolC expression in response to prolonged exposure to PAβN was noted in cells treated with PAβN alone or with AZT, as a reflection of bacterial attempts to counteract pump inhibition. Thus, PAβN was found to be effective in potentiating the antibacterial activity of AZT on E. coli through dose-dependent action. This warrants further investigations of its effect combined with other antibiotics on multiple Gram-negative bacterial species. Synergetic combinations will help in the battle against MDR pathogens, adding new tools to the arsenal of existing medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Al-Marzooq
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Akela Ghazawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lana Daoud
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saeed Tariq
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
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36
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Carfrae LA, Rachwalski K, French S, Gordzevich R, Seidel L, Tsai CN, Tu MM, MacNair CR, Ovchinnikova OG, Clarke BR, Whitfield C, Brown ED. Inhibiting fatty acid synthesis overcomes colistin resistance. Nat Microbiol 2023:10.1038/s41564-023-01369-z. [PMID: 37127701 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01369-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Treating multidrug-resistant infections has increasingly relied on last-resort antibiotics, including polymyxins, for example colistin. As polymyxins are given routinely, the prevalence of their resistance is on the rise and increases mortality rates of sepsis patients. The global dissemination of plasmid-borne colistin resistance, driven by the emergence of mcr-1, threatens to diminish the therapeutic utility of polymyxins from an already shrinking antibiotic arsenal. Restoring sensitivity to polymyxins using combination therapy with sensitizing drugs is a promising approach to reviving its clinical utility. Here we describe the ability of the biotin biosynthesis inhibitor, MAC13772, to synergize with colistin exclusively against colistin-resistant bacteria. MAC13772 indirectly disrupts fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and restores sensitivity to the last-resort antibiotic, colistin. Accordingly, we found that combinations of colistin and other FAS inhibitors, cerulenin, triclosan and Debio1452-NH3, had broad potential against both chromosomal and plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in chequerboard and lysis assays. Furthermore, combination therapy with colistin and the clinically relevant FabI inhibitor, Debio1452-NH3, showed efficacy against mcr-1 positive Klebsiella pneumoniae and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli systemic infections in mice. Using chemical genomics, lipidomics and transcriptomics, we explored the mechanism of the interaction. We propose that inhibiting FAS restores colistin sensitivity by depleting lipid synthesis, leading to changes in phospholipid composition. In all, this work reveals a surprising link between FAS and colistin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Carfrae
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kenneth Rachwalski
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shawn French
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rodion Gordzevich
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura Seidel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Caressa N Tsai
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Megan M Tu
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Craig R MacNair
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olga G Ovchinnikova
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bradley R Clarke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chris Whitfield
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric D Brown
- Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
- Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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37
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Si Z, Pethe K, Chan-Park MB. Chemical Basis of Combination Therapy to Combat Antibiotic Resistance. JACS AU 2023; 3:276-292. [PMID: 36873689 PMCID: PMC9975838 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The antimicrobial resistance crisis is a global health issue requiring discovery and development of novel therapeutics. However, conventional screening of natural products or synthetic chemical libraries is uncertain. Combination therapy using approved antibiotics with inhibitors targeting innate resistance mechanisms provides an alternative strategy to develop potent therapeutics. This review discusses the chemical structures of effective β-lactamase inhibitors, outer membrane permeabilizers, and efflux pump inhibitors that act as adjuvant molecules of classical antibiotics. Rational design of the chemical structures of adjuvants will provide methods to impart or restore efficacy to classical antibiotics for inherently antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As many bacteria have multiple resistance pathways, adjuvant molecules simultaneously targeting multiple pathways are promising approaches to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyong Si
- School
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459
| | - Kevin Pethe
- Lee
Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore 636921
- Singapore
Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Mary B. Chan-Park
- School
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459
- Lee
Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore 636921
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38
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Guillaume D, Racha B, Sandrine B, Etienne R, Laurent G, Virginie B, Pierre SS, Amine G, Vincent G, Nicolas B, Julien D, Richard B. Genes mcr improve the intestinal fitness of pathogenic E. coli and balance their lifestyle to commensalism. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:12. [PMID: 36670449 PMCID: PMC9863213 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01457-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The plasmid-mediated resistance gene mcr-1 confers colistin resistance in Escherichia coli and paves the way for the evolution to pan-drug resistance. We investigated the impact of mcr-1 in gut colonization in the absence of antibiotics using isogenic E. coli strains transformed with a plasmid encoding or devoid of mcr-1. RESULTS In gnotobiotic and conventional mice, mcr-1 significantly enhanced intestinal anchoring of E. coli but impaired their lethal effect. This improvement of intestinal fitness was associated with a downregulation of intestinal inflammatory markers and the preservation of intestinal microbiota composition. The mcr-1 gene mediated a cross-resistance to antimicrobial peptides secreted by the microbiota and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), enhanced E. coli adhesion to IECs, and decreased the proinflammatory activity of both E. coli and its lipopolysaccharides. CONCLUSION Overall, mcr-1 changed multiple facets of bacterial behaviour and appeared as a factor enhancing commensal lifestyle and persistence in the gut even in the absence of antibiotics. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalmasso Guillaume
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Beyrouthy Racha
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Centre de référence de la résistance aux antibiotiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 58 place Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Brugiroux Sandrine
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ruppé Etienne
- Université de Paris, IAME, INSERM, F-75018 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat, DEBRC, F-75018 Paris, France
| | - Guillouard Laurent
- Centre de référence de la résistance aux antibiotiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 58 place Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bonnin Virginie
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Saint-Sardos Pierre
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ghozlane Amine
- Hub de Bioinformatique et Biostatistique—Département Biologie Computationnelle, Institut Pasteur, USR 3756 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Gaumet Vincent
- IMOST, UMR 1240 Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, 58 Rue Montalembert, 63005 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Barnich Nicolas
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Delmas Julien
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bonnet Richard
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm U1071, USC-INRAe 2018, Microbes, Intestin, Inflammation et Susceptibilité de l’Hôte (M2iSH), Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine Auvergne, 28 place Henri Dunant, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Centre de référence de la résistance aux antibiotiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 58 place Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Wang Q, Kim H, Halvorsen TM, Chen S, Hayes CS, Buie CR. Leveraging microfluidic dielectrophoresis to distinguish compositional variations of lipopolysaccharide in E. coli. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:991784. [PMID: 36873367 PMCID: PMC9979706 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.991784] [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: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the unique feature that composes the outer leaflet of the Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope. Variations in LPS structures affect a number of physiological processes, including outer membrane permeability, antimicrobial resistance, recognition by the host immune system, biofilm formation, and interbacterial competition. Rapid characterization of LPS properties is crucial for studying the relationship between these LPS structural changes and bacterial physiology. However, current assessments of LPS structures require LPS extraction and purification followed by cumbersome proteomic analysis. This paper demonstrates one of the first high-throughput and non-invasive strategies to directly distinguish Escherichia coli with different LPS structures. Using a combination of three-dimensional insulator-based dielectrophoresis (3DiDEP) and cell tracking in a linear electrokinetics assay, we elucidate the effect of structural changes in E. coli LPS oligosaccharides on electrokinetic mobility and polarizability. We show that our platform is sufficiently sensitive to detect LPS structural variations at the molecular level. To correlate electrokinetic properties of LPS with the outer membrane permeability, we further examined effects of LPS structural variations on bacterial susceptibility to colistin, an antibiotic known to disrupt the outer membrane by targeting LPS. Our results suggest that microfluidic electrokinetic platforms employing 3DiDEP can be a useful tool for isolating and selecting bacteria based on their LPS glycoforms. Future iterations of these platforms could be leveraged for rapid profiling of pathogens based on their surface LPS structural identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Hyungseok Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tiffany M Halvorsen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Sijie Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Christopher S Hayes
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Cullen R Buie
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
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40
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MacNair CR, Tan MW. The role of bacterial membrane vesicles in antibiotic resistance. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1519:63-73. [PMID: 36415037 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial survival during antibiotic exposure is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. On top of antibiotic resistance genes, biofilm formation, and persister tolerance, bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) provide a layer of protection that has been largely overlooked. MVs are spherical nanoparticles composed of lipid membranes and are common to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Although the importance of MVs in bacterial pathogenesis and virulence factor transport has been firmly established, a growing body of work now identifies MVs as key contributors to bacterial survival during antibiotic exposure. Herein, we highlight the ability of MVs to reduce antibiotic efficacy and transmit resistance elements. We also discuss the potential of targeting MV production as an unconventional therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig R MacNair
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Man-Wah Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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41
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Synergistic Effects of Capric Acid and Colistin against Colistin-Susceptible and Colistin-Resistant Enterobacterales. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 12:antibiotics12010036. [PMID: 36671237 PMCID: PMC9854470 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12010036] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Colistin is a last-line antibiotic against Gram-negative pathogens. However, the emergence of colistin resistance has substantially reduced the clinical effectiveness of colistin. In this study, synergy between colistin and capric acid was examined against twenty-one Gram-negative bacterial isolates (four colistin-susceptible and seventeen colistin-resistant). Checkerboard assays showed a synergistic effect against all colistin-resistant strains [(FICI, fractional inhibitory concentration index) = 0.02-0.38] and two colistin-susceptible strains. Time-kill assays confirmed the combination was synergistic. We suggest that the combination of colistin and capric acid is a promising therapeutic strategy against Gram-negative colistin-resistant strains.
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42
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Li B, Zhang J, Li X. A comprehensive description of the TolC effect on the antimicrobial susceptibility profile in Enterobacter bugandensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1036933. [PMID: 36569193 PMCID: PMC9780596 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1036933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enterobacter bugandensis is an emerging human pathogen in which multidrug resistant strains have been continuously isolated from various environments. Thus, this organism possesses the potential to pose challenges in human healthcare. However, the mechanisms, especially the efflux pumps, responsible for the multidrug resistance in E. bugandensis remain to be well elucidated. Methods The Enterobacter strain CMCC(B) 45301 was specifically identified using whole genome sequencing. The specific CMCC(B) 45301 homologues of the TolC dependent efflux-pump genes characterized in Escherichia coli were identified. The tolC deletion mutant in CMCC(B) 45301 was constructed and subjected to susceptibility tests using 26 different antimicrobial agents, along with the wild type strain. The synergistic effects combining the Bacillus crude extract (BCE) and several other TolC-affected compounds against CMCC(B) 45301 were assayed. Results We reclassified the Enterobacter CMCC(B) 45301 strain from species cloacae to bugandensis, on the basis of its whole genome sequence. We found that the CMCC(B) 45301 TolC, AcrAB, AcrD, AcrEF, MdtABC, EmrAB, and MacAB exhibit high similarity with their respective homologues in E. coli and Enterobacter cloacae. Our results for the susceptibility tests revealed that lacking tolC causes 4- to 256-fold decrease in the minimal inhibitory concentrations of piperacillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tetracycline, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and erythromycin against CMCC(B) 45301. In addition, the inhibition zones formed by cefuroxime, cefoperazone, amikacin, streptomycin, minocycline, doxycycline, levofloxacin, florfenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin, lincomycin, and clindamycin for the tolC mutant were larger or more obvious than that for the parent. Our data suggested the important role played by TolC in CMCC(B) 45301 susceptibility to common antibiotic families covering ß-lactam, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, phenicol, folate pathway antagonist, macrolide, and lincosamide. Deletion for tolC also increased the susceptibility of CMCC(B) 45301 to berberine hydrochloride and BCE, two natural product-based agents. Finally, we found that erythromycin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin can potentiate the antibacterial activity of BCE against CMCC(B) 45301. Discussion The present study elaborated the comprehensive TolC effect on the antimicrobial susceptibility profile in E. bugandensis, which might contribute to the development of more therapeutic options against this nosocomial pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyu Li
- Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Bingyu Li, ; Xiaodong Li,
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China,Research and Development Center, Panjin Guanghe Crab Industry Co., Ltd., Panjin, China,*Correspondence: Bingyu Li, ; Xiaodong Li,
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Slingerland C, Kotsogianni I, Wesseling CMJ, Martin NI. Polymyxin Stereochemistry and Its Role in Antibacterial Activity and Outer Membrane Disruption. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2396-2404. [PMID: 36342383 PMCID: PMC9745799 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
With increasing rates of resistance toward commonly used antibiotics, especially among Gram-negative bacteria, there is renewed interested in polymyxins. Polymyxins are lipopeptide antibiotics with potent anti-Gram-negative activity and are generally believed to target lipid A, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) anchor found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. To characterize the stereochemical aspects of their mechanism(s) of action, we synthesized the full enantiomers of polymyxin B and the polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN). Both compounds were compared with the natural compounds in biological and biophysical assays, revealing strongly reduced antibacterial activity for the enantiomeric species. The enantiomeric compounds also exhibit reduced LPS binding, lower outer membrane (OM) permeabilization, and loss of synergetic potential. These findings provide new insights into the stereochemical requirements underlying the mechanisms of action of polymyxin B and PMBN.
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Wang Z, Fan X, Wang S, Li S, Gao Y, Wang H, Li H. Emergence of Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter junii in China. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121693. [PMID: 36551350 PMCID: PMC9774529 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121693] [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: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria presents a serious threat to global health. However, colistin-resistant Acinetobacter junii has rarely been reported. We identified a colistin-resistant A. junii clinical isolate, AJ6079, in blood. The colony of AJ6079 presented a dry phenotype, and it was difficult to form a bacterial suspension, whilst transmission electron microscopy revealed that AJ6079 possessed a thick outer membrane. The phenotypic and genomic comparisons were conducted with one colistin-susceptible A. junii, which had the same antibiotic susceptibility profile except for colistin, and had the same KL25 capsule biosynthesis locus. The AJ6079 exhibited a slower growth rate, indicating that colistin-resistant A. junii possesses a higher fitness cost. The genome of AJ6079 had a G+C content of 38.7% and contained one 3,362,966 bp circular chromosome with no plasmid or mobile colistin resistance (mcr) gene. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the AJ6079 contained several previously unreported point mutations in colistin-resistance-related genes involving amino acid substitutions in PmrB (N5K, G147C), LpxA (I107F, H131Y), and LpxD (F20I, K263R), which might be correlated with colistin resistance in A. junii. Further research is needed for verification as the genetic background was not exactly the same between the two isolates.
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45
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Zhou Y, Huang W, Lei E, Yang A, Li Y, Wen K, Wang M, Li L, Chen Z, Zhou C, Bai S, Han J, Song W, Ren X, Zeng X, Pu H, Wan M, Feng X. Cooperative Membrane Damage as a Mechanism for Pentamidine-Antibiotic Mutual Sensitization. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:3178-3190. [PMID: 36269311 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Most Gram-positive-selective antibiotics have low activity against Gram-negative bacteria due to the presence of an outer membrane barrier. There is, therefore, interest in developing combination therapies that can penetrate the outer membrane (OM) with known antibiotics coupled with membrane-active sensitizing adjuvants. However, two unanswered questions hinder the development of such combination therapies: the sensitization spectrum of the sensitizer and the mechanism of antibiotic-sensitizer mutual potentiation. Here, with pentamidine as an example, we screened a library of 170 FDA-approved antibiotics in combination with pentamidine, a compound known to disturb the OM of Gram-negative bacteria. We found that four antibiotics, minocycline, linezolid, valnemulin, and nadifloxacin, displaced enhanced activity in combination with pentamidine against several multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Through a descriptor-based structural-activity analysis and multiple cell-based biochemical assays, we found that hydrophobicity, partial charge, rigidity, and surface rugosity were key factors that affected sensitization via a cooperative membrane damage mechanism in which lipopolysaccharides and phospholipids were identified as sites of synergy. Finally, in vitro experiments showed that the linezolid-pentamidine combination slowed the generation of drug resistance, and there was also potent activity in in vivo experiments. Overall, our results highlight the importance of the physicochemical properties of antibiotics and cooperative membrane damage for synergistic pentamidine-antibiotic drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - E Lei
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Anming Yang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Youzhi Li
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Kang Wen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Min Wang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lanxin Li
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Cailing Zhou
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.,College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Silei Bai
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Jingyu Han
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Wenwen Song
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.,College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xuanbai Ren
- College of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xiangxiang Zeng
- College of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Huangsheng Pu
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Muyang Wan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.,College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xinxin Feng
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
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46
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Wade N, Wesseling CMJ, Innocenti P, Slingerland CJ, Koningstein GM, Luirink J, Martin NI. Synthesis and Structure-Activity Studies of β-Barrel Assembly Machine Complex Inhibitor MRL-494. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2242-2252. [PMID: 36318734 PMCID: PMC9673140 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00459] [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] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In the hunt for new antibiotics with activity against Gram-negative pathogens, the outer membrane β-barrel assembly machine (BAM) complex has become an increasingly interesting target. The recently reported BAM complex inhibitor, MRL-494, was discovered via a screening campaign for molecules that target the outer membrane. Notably, MRL-494 was reported to be an unintended byproduct generated during the synthesis of an unrelated compound, and as such no synthesis of the compound was disclosed. We here present a convenient and reliable route for the synthesis of MRL-494 that scales well. The antibacterial activity measured for synthesized MRL-494 matches that reported in the literature. Furthermore, MRL-494 was found to exhibit potent synergistic activity with rifampicin against Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa. MRL-494 was also found to cause outer membrane disruption and induction of the Rcs stress response pathway. In addition, we undertook a focused structure-activity study specifically aimed at elucidating the roles played by the two guanidine moieties contained within the structure of MRL-494.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Wade
- Biological
Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte M. J. Wesseling
- Biological
Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paolo Innocenti
- Biological
Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J. Slingerland
- Biological
Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gregory M. Koningstein
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life
Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joen Luirink
- Department
of Molecular Microbiology, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life
Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathaniel I. Martin
- Biological
Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands,
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47
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Chiu S, Hancock AM, Schofner BW, Sniezek KJ, Soto-Echevarria N, Leon G, Sivaloganathan DM, Wan X, Brynildsen MP. Causes of polymyxin treatment failure and new derivatives to fill the gap. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2022; 75:593-609. [PMID: 36123537 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-022-00561-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Polymyxins are a class of antibiotics that were discovered in 1947 from programs searching for compounds effective in the treatment of Gram-negative infections. Produced by the Gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa and composed of a cyclic peptide chain with a peptide-fatty acyl tail, polymyxins exert bactericidal effects through membrane disruption. Currently, polymyxin B and colistin (polymyxin E) have been developed for clinical use, where they are reserved as "last-line" therapies for multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Unfortunately, the incidences of strains resistant to polymyxins have been increasing globally, and polymyxin heteroresistance has been gaining appreciation as an important clinical challenge. These phenomena, along with bacterial tolerance to this antibiotic class, constitute important contributors to polymyxin treatment failure. Here, we review polymyxins and their mechanism of action, summarize the current understanding of how polymyxin treatment fails, and discuss how the next generation of polymyxins holds promise to invigorate this antibiotic class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Chiu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Anna M Hancock
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Bob W Schofner
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Katherine J Sniezek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Gabrielle Leon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Xuanqing Wan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Mark P Brynildsen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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48
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Qiao H, Yu J, Wang X, Nie T, Hu X, Yang X, Li C, You X. Effect of Different Tolerable Levels of Constitutive mcr-1 Expression on Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0174822. [PMID: 35980194 PMCID: PMC9603290 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01748-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the effect of different tolerable levels of constitutive mcr-1 expression on Escherichia coli, and to provide direct evidence for moderate resistance mediated by mcr-1, construction of E. coli strains carrying mcr-1 on the chromosome with promoters of different strengths was conducted using λ-red recombination. Our results demonstrated that over-high expression of mcr-1 cannot be tolerated, and seven constructs with more than 200-fold mcr-1 transcriptional expression differences were obtained. The colistin MICs of the seven strains increased with the increase of MCR-1 levels, and the highest MIC was 8 μg/mL. Lower expression of mcr-1 didn't demonstrate many effects on bacteria, while higher tolerable expression of mcr-1 tended to show fitness costs in growth rate, competitive ability, and cell structures, but no obvious change of virulence was observed in mice. Bacteria demonstrated colistin MICs of 4-8 μg/mL at mcr-1 expression levels similar to clinical isolates, which were the mcr-1 expression levels with relatively lower fitness costs. IMPORTANCE The effects of relatively lower tolerable levels of mcr-1 were not evaluated thoroughly, and direct evidence for moderate resistance mediated by mcr-1 was lacking. In the present study, we made constructs carrying mcr-1 on the E. coli K12 chromosome under the control of serial constitutive promoters of different strengths and studied the effects of different tolerable levels of mcr-1 expression in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that generally, except QH0007 (the construct with the highest mcr-1 expression that showed some extent of cell death), the fitness costs of tolerable mcr-1 expression on bacteria were not apparent or low. Bacteria demonstrated colistin MICs of 4-8 μg/mL at mcr-1 expression levels similar to clinical isolates, which corresponded to the lower levels of mcr-1 expression that can lead to colistin resistance, indicating the cleverness of bacteria to balance the benefit and cost of MCR-1-mediated colistin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Qiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiukun Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tongying Nie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinxin Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Congran Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefu You
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Kong D, Hua X, Zhou R, Cui J, Wang T, Kong F, You H, Liu X, Adu-Amankwaah J, Guo G, Zheng K, Wu J, Tang R. Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of MAF-1-Derived Antimicrobial Peptide Mt6 and Its D-Enantiomer D-Mt6 against Acinetobacter baumannii by Targeting Cell Membranes and Lipopolysaccharide Interaction. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0131222. [PMID: 36190276 PMCID: PMC9603722 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01312-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii is on the rise around the world, highlighting the urgent need for novel antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contribute to effective protection against infections by pathogens, making them the most promising options for next-generation antibiotics. Here, we report two designed, cationic, antimicrobial-derived peptides: Mt6, and its dextroisomer D-Mt6, belonging to the analogs of MAF-1, which is isolated from the instar larvae of houseflies. Both Mt6 and D-Mt6 have a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that is accompanied by strong antibacterial activities, especially against A. baumannii planktonic bacteria and biofilms. Additionally, the effect of D-Mt6 against A. baumannii is stable in a variety of physiological settings, including enzyme, salt ion, and hydrogen ion environments. Importantly, D-Mt6 cleans the bacteria on Caenorhabditis elegans without causing apparent toxicity and exhibits good activity in vivo. Both Mt6 and D-Mt6 demonstrated synergistic or additive capabilities with traditional antibiotics against A. baumannii, demonstrating their characteristics as potential complements to combination therapy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) experiments revealed that two analogs displayed rapid bactericidal activity by destroying cell membrane integrity. Furthermore, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells, these AMPs drastically decreased IL-1β and TNF-a gene expression and protein secretion, implying anti-inflammatory characteristics. This trait is likely due to its dual function of directly binding LPS and inhibiting the LPS-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in macrophages. Our findings suggested that D-Mt6 could be further developed as a novel antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory agent and used in the treatment of A. baumannii infections. IMPORTANCE Around 700,000 people worldwide die each year from antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Acinetobacter baumannii in clinical specimens increases year by year, and it is developing a strong resistance to clinical drugs, which is resulting in A. baumannii becoming the main opportunistic pathogen. Antimicrobial peptides show great potential as new antibacterial drugs that can replace traditional antibiotics. In our study, Mt6 and D-Mt6, two new antimicrobial peptides, were designed based on a natural peptide that we first discovered in the hemlymphocytes of housefly larvae. Both Mt6 and D-Mt6 showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, especially against A. baumannii, by damaging membrane integrity. Moreover, D-Mt6 showed better immunoregulatory activity against LPS induced inflammation through its LPS-neutralizing and suppression on MAPK signaling. This study suggested that D-Mt6 is a promising candidate drug as a derived peptide against A. baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delong Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xuan Hua
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Physiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology of Education Department of Guizhou, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Fanyun Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hongjuan You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiangye Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | | | - Guo Guo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Renxian Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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50
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Chen Y, Li Z, Yin Y, Yang P, Kong Y, Li Z, Chen D, Xu X. Identification of 2-aminothiazoyl piperidine derivatives as a new class of adjuvants potentiating the activity of colistin against Acinetobacter baumannii. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.107948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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