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Antunes B, Zanchi C, Johnston PR, Maron B, Witzany C, Regoes RR, Hayouka Z, Rolff J. The evolution of antimicrobial peptide resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is severely constrained by random peptide mixtures. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002692. [PMID: 38954678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has become a major threat to public health, requiring swift initiatives for discovering new strategies to control bacterial infections. Hence, antibiotic stewardship and rapid diagnostics, but also the development, and prudent use, of novel effective antimicrobial agents are paramount. Ideally, these agents should be less likely to select for resistance in pathogens than currently available conventional antimicrobials. The usage of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), key components of the innate immune response, and combination therapies, have been proposed as strategies to diminish the emergence of resistance. Herein, we investigated whether newly developed random antimicrobial peptide mixtures (RPMs) can significantly reduce the risk of resistance evolution in vitro to that of single sequence AMPs, using the ESKAPE pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) as a model gram-negative bacterium. Infections of this pathogen are difficult to treat due the inherent resistance to many drug classes, enhanced by the capacity to form biofilms. P. aeruginosa was experimentally evolved in the presence of AMPs or RPMs, subsequentially assessing the extent of resistance evolution and cross-resistance/collateral sensitivity between treatments. Furthermore, the fitness costs of resistance on bacterial growth were studied and whole-genome sequencing used to investigate which mutations could be candidates for causing resistant phenotypes. Lastly, changes in the pharmacodynamics of the evolved bacterial strains were examined. Our findings suggest that using RPMs bears a much lower risk of resistance evolution compared to AMPs and mostly prevents cross-resistance development to other treatments, while maintaining (or even improving) drug sensitivity. This strengthens the case for using random cocktails of AMPs in favour of single AMPs, against which resistance evolved in vitro, providing an alternative to classic antibiotics worth pursuing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Antunes
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Caroline Zanchi
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul R Johnston
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Centre for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
- University of St. Andrews, School of Medicine, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
| | - Bar Maron
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Roland R Regoes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Zvi Hayouka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jens Rolff
- Freie Universität Berlin, Evolutionary Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Centre for Genomics in Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
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Trottier MC, de Oliveira Pereira T, Groleau MC, Hoffman LR, Dandekar AA, Déziel E. The end of the reign of a "master regulator''? A defect in function of the LasR quorum sensing regulator is a common feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. mBio 2024; 15:e0237623. [PMID: 38315035 PMCID: PMC10936206 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02376-23] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium causing infections in immunocompromised individuals, regulates several of its virulence functions using three interlinked quorum sensing (QS) systems (las, rhl, and pqs). Despite its presumed importance in regulating virulence, dysfunction of the las system regulator LasR occurs frequently in strains isolated from various environments, including clinical infections. This newfound abundance of LasR-defective strains calls into question existing hypotheses regarding their selection. Indeed, current assumptions concerning factors driving the emergence of LasR-deficient isolates and the role of LasR in the QS hierarchy must be reconsidered. Here, we propose that LasR is not the primary master regulator of QS in all P. aeruginosa genetic backgrounds, even though it remains ecologically significant. We also revisit and complement current knowledge on the ecology of LasR-dependent QS in P. aeruginosa, discuss the hypotheses explaining the putative adaptive benefits of selecting against LasR function, and consider the implications of this renewed understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mylène C. Trottier
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Thays de Oliveira Pereira
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Groleau
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Lucas R. Hoffman
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ajai A. Dandekar
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eric Déziel
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
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Yang X, Zeng Q, Gou S, Wu Y, Ma X, Zou H, Zhao K. Phenotypic heterogeneity unveils a negative correlation between antibiotic resistance and quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1327675. [PMID: 38410387 PMCID: PMC10895058 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1327675] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lung environments frequently leads to the enrichment of strains displaying enhanced antibiotic resistance and reduced production of quorum-sensing (QS) controlled products. However, the relationship between the emergence of QS deficient variants and antibiotic resistance remains less understood. In this study, 67 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from the lungs of 14 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, followed by determining their genetic relationship, QS-related phenotypes and resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The integrity of P. aeruginosa QS system was checked by DNA sequencing. The relationship between the QS system and antibiotic resistance was then assessed by correlation analyses. The function of the LasR protein and bacterial virulence were evaluated through homology modeling and nematode-infection assay. The influence of antibiotic on the development of extracellular protease production ability of P. aeruginosa was tested by an evolutionary experiment. The results showed that P. aeruginosa clinical strains displayed abundant diversity in phenotype and genotype. The production of extracellular proteases was significantly negatively correlated with antibiotic resistance. The strains with enhanced antibiotic resistance also showed a notable overlap with the mutation of lasR gene, which is the core regulatory gene of P. aeruginosa QS system. Molecular docking and Caenorhabditis elegans infection assays further suggested that P. aeruginosa with impaired LasR protein could also have varying pathogenicity. Moreover, in vitro evolution experiments demonstrated that antibiotic-mediated selective pressure, particularly from Levofloxacin contributed to the emergence of extracellular protease-negative strains. Therefore, this study provides evidence for the connection of P. aeruginosa QS system and antibiotic resistance, and holds significance for developing targeted strategies to address antibiotic resistance and improving the management of antibiotic-resistant infections in chronic respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiting Yang
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianglin Zeng
- Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shiyi Gou
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoling Ma
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hang Zou
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kelei Zhao
- Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Chen T, Zhang S, Yang J, Li Y, Kogure E, Zhu Y, Xiong W, Chen E, Shi G. Metabarcoding Analysis of Microorganisms Inside Household Washing Machines in Shanghai, China. Microorganisms 2024; 12:160. [PMID: 38257987 PMCID: PMC10819172 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010160] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Washing machines are one of the tools that bring great convenience to people's daily lives. However, washing machines that have been used for a long time often develop issues such as odor and mold, which can pose health hazards to consumers. There exists a conspicuous gap in our understanding of the microorganisms that inhabit the inner workings of washing machines. In this study, samples were collected from 22 washing machines in Shanghai, China, including both water eluted from different parts of washing machines and biofilms. Quantitative qualitative analysis was performed using fluorescence PCR quantification, and microbial communities were characterized by high-throughput sequencing (HTS). This showed that the microbial communities in all samples were predominantly composed of bacteria. HTS results showed that in the eluted water samples, the bacteria mainly included Pseudomonas, Enhydrobacter, Brevibacterium, and Acinetobacter. Conversely, in the biofilm samples, Enhydrobacter and Brevibacterium were the predominant bacterial microorganisms. Correlation analysis results revealed that microbial colonies in washing machines were significantly correlated with years of use and the type of detergent used to clean the washing machine. As numerous pathogenic microorganisms can be observed in the results, effective preventive measures and future research are essential to mitigate these health problems and ensure the continued safe use of these household appliances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- KAO (China) Research and Development Center, No. 623, Ziri Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 100098, China (Y.Z.); (W.X.); (E.C.)
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- KAO (China) Research and Development Center, No. 623, Ziri Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 100098, China (Y.Z.); (W.X.); (E.C.)
| | - Juan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Youran Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Eiichi Kogure
- Kao Corporation, 1334, Minato, Wakayama 640-8580, Japan
| | - Ye Zhu
- KAO (China) Research and Development Center, No. 623, Ziri Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 100098, China (Y.Z.); (W.X.); (E.C.)
| | - Weiqi Xiong
- KAO (China) Research and Development Center, No. 623, Ziri Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 100098, China (Y.Z.); (W.X.); (E.C.)
| | - Enhui Chen
- KAO (China) Research and Development Center, No. 623, Ziri Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 100098, China (Y.Z.); (W.X.); (E.C.)
| | - Guiyang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214000, China
- Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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Wang X, Liu M, Yu C, Li J, Zhou X. Biofilm formation: mechanistic insights and therapeutic targets. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:49. [PMID: 38097907 PMCID: PMC10721784 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00164-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are complex multicellular communities formed by bacteria, and their extracellular polymeric substances are observed as surface-attached or non-surface-attached aggregates. Many types of bacterial species found in living hosts or environments can form biofilms. These include pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas, which can act as persistent infectious hosts and are responsible for a wide range of chronic diseases as well as the emergence of antibiotic resistance, thereby making them difficult to eliminate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a model organism for studying biofilm formation. In addition, other Pseudomonas utilize biofilm formation in plant colonization and environmental persistence. Biofilms are effective in aiding bacterial colonization, enhancing bacterial resistance to antimicrobial substances and host immune responses, and facilitating cell‒cell signalling exchanges between community bacteria. The lack of antibiotics targeting biofilms in the drug discovery process indicates the need to design new biofilm inhibitors as antimicrobial drugs using various strategies and targeting different stages of biofilm formation. Growing strategies that have been developed to combat biofilm formation include targeting bacterial enzymes, as well as those involved in the quorum sensing and adhesion pathways. In this review, with Pseudomonas as the primary subject of study, we review and discuss the mechanisms of bacterial biofilm formation and current therapeutic approaches, emphasizing the clinical issues associated with biofilm infections and focusing on current and emerging antibiotic biofilm strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chuanjiang Yu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xikun Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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