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Lakic B, Beh C, Sarkar S, Yap SL, Cardoso P, Valery C, Hung A, Jones NC, Hoffmann SV, Blanch EW, Dyett B, Conn CE. Cubosome lipid nanocarriers for delivery of ultra-short antimicrobial peptides. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 677:1080-1097. [PMID: 39137610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.07.232] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Although antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of new antibiotics, their inherent susceptibility to degradation requires nanocarrier-mediated delivery. While cubosome nanocarriers have been extensively studied for delivery of AMPs, we do not currently understand why cubosome encapsulation improves antimicrobial efficacy for some compounds but not others. This study therefore aims to investigate the link between the mechanism of action and permeation efficiency of the peptides, their encapsulation efficacy, and the antimicrobial activity of these systems. EXPERIMENTS Encapsulation and delivery of Indolicidin, and its ultra-short derivative, Priscilicidin, were investigated using SAXS, cryo-TEM and circular dichroism. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to understand the loading of these peptides within cubosomes. The antimicrobial efficacy was assessed against gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (MRSA) bacteria. FINDINGS A high ionic strength solution was required to facilitate high loading of the cationic AMPs, with bilayer encapsulation driven by tryptophan and Fmoc moieties. Cubosome encapsulation did not improve the antimicrobial efficacy of the AMPs consistent with their high permeation, as explained by a recent 'diffusion to capture model'. This suggests that cubosome encapsulation may not be an effective strategy for all antimicrobial compounds, paving the way for improved selection of nanocarriers for AMPs, and other antimicrobial compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biserka Lakic
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia
| | - Chia Beh
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia
| | - Sampa Sarkar
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia
| | - Sue-Lyn Yap
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia
| | - Priscila Cardoso
- School of Health and Biomedical Science, Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Theme, NanoBioPharm Research Group, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Celine Valery
- School of Health and Biomedical Science, Translational Immunology and Nanotechnology Theme, NanoBioPharm Research Group, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Hung
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia
| | - Nykola C Jones
- ISA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Ewan W Blanch
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia.
| | - Brendan Dyett
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia.
| | - Charlotte E Conn
- School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Victoria, 3001 Australia.
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2
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Avci FG. Unraveling bacterial stress responses: implications for next-generation antimicrobial solutions. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:285. [PMID: 39073503 PMCID: PMC11286680 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04090-z] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The accelerated spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has caused a serious health problem and rendered antimicrobial treatments ineffective. Innovative approaches are crucial to overcome the health threat posed by resistant pathogens and prevent the emergence of untreatable infections. Triggering stress responses in bacteria can diminish susceptibility to various antimicrobials by inducing resistance mechanisms. Therefore, a thorough understanding of stress response control, especially in relation to antimicrobial resistance, offers valuable perspectives for innovative and efficient therapeutic approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress responses of 8 different bacteria by analyzing reporter metabolites, around which significant alterations were observed, using a pathway-driven computational approach. For this purpose, the transcriptomic data that the bacterial pathogens were grown under 11 different stress conditions mimicking the human host environments were integrated with the genome-scale metabolic models of 8 pathogenic species (Enterococcus faecalis OG1R, Escherichia coli EPEC O127:H6 E2348/69, Escherichia coli ETEC H10407, Escherichia coli UPEC 536, Klebsiella pneumoniae MGH 78578, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA252, and Staphylococcus aureus MSSA476). The resulting reporter metabolites were enriched in multiple metabolic pathways, with cofactor biosynthesis being the most important. The results of this study will serve as a guide for the development of antimicrobial agents as they provide a first insight into potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Gizem Avci
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Genetics of Prokaryotes, Faculty of Biology and Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
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3
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Butler MS, Vollmer W, Goodall ECA, Capon RJ, Henderson IR, Blaskovich MAT. A Review of Antibacterial Candidates with New Modes of Action. ACS Infect Dis 2024. [PMID: 39018341 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
There is a lack of new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant bacterial infections that increasingly threaten global health. The current pipeline of clinical-stage antimicrobials is primarily populated by "new and improved" versions of existing antibiotic classes, supplemented by several novel chemical scaffolds that act on traditional targets. The lack of fresh chemotypes acting on previously unexploited targets (the "holy grail" for new antimicrobials due to their scarcity) is particularly unfortunate as these offer the greatest opportunity for innovative breakthroughs to overcome existing resistance. In recognition of their potential, this review focuses on this subset of high value antibiotics, providing chemical structures where available. This review focuses on candidates that have progressed to clinical trials, as well as selected examples of promising pioneering approaches in advanced stages of development, in order to stimulate additional research aimed at combating drug-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Butler
- Centre for Superbug Solutions and ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Waldemar Vollmer
- Centre for Superbug Solutions and ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Emily C A Goodall
- Centre for Superbug Solutions and ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Robert J Capon
- Centre for Superbug Solutions and ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Centre for Superbug Solutions and ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- Centre for Superbug Solutions and ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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4
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Liu JD, Van Treeck KE, Marston WA, Papadopoulou V, Rowe SE. Ultrasound-Mediated Antibiotic Delivery to In Vivo Biofilm Infections: A Review. Chembiochem 2024:e202400181. [PMID: 38924307 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400181] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are a significant concern in various medical contexts due to their resilience to our immune system as well as antibiotic therapy. Biofilms often require surgical removal and frequently lead to recurrent or chronic infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved strategies to treat biofilm infections. Ultrasound-mediated drug delivery is a technique that combines ultrasound application, often with the administration of acoustically-active agents, to enhance drug delivery to specific target tissues or cells within the body. This method involves using ultrasound waves to assist in the transportation or activation of medications, improving their penetration, distribution, and efficacy at the desired site. The advantages of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery include targeted and localized delivery, reduced systemic side effects, and improved efficacy of the drug at lower doses. This review scrutinizes recent advances in the application of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery for treating biofilm infections, focusing on in vivo studies. We examine the strengths and limitations of this technology in the context of wound infections, device-associated infections, lung infections and abscesses, and discuss current gaps in knowledge and clinical translation considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie D Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Kelly E Van Treeck
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - William A Marston
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Virginie Papadopoulou
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sarah E Rowe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
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5
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Laxminarayan R, Impalli I, Rangarajan R, Cohn J, Ramjeet K, Trainor BW, Strathdee S, Sumpradit N, Berman D, Wertheim H, Outterson K, Srikantiah P, Theuretzbacher U. Expanding antibiotic, vaccine, and diagnostics development and access to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Lancet 2024; 403:2534-2550. [PMID: 38797178 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00878-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The increasing number of bacterial infections globally that do not respond to any available antibiotics indicates a need to invest in-and ensure access to-new antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics. The traditional model of drug development, which depends on substantial revenues to motivate investment, is no longer economically viable without push and pull incentives. Moreover, drugs developed through these mechanisms are unlikely to be affordable for all patients in need, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. New, publicly funded models based on public-private partnerships could support investment in antibiotics and novel alternatives, and lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, making drugs more accessible. Cost reductions can be achieved with public goods, such as clinical trial networks and platform-based quality assurance, manufacturing, and product development support. Preserving antibiotic effectiveness relies on accurate and timely diagnosis; however scaling up diagnostics faces technological, economic, and behavioural challenges. New technologies appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is a need for a deeper understanding of market, physician, and consumer behaviour to improve the use of diagnostics in patient management. Ensuring sustainable access to antibiotics also requires infection prevention. Vaccines offer the potential to prevent infections from drug-resistant pathogens, but funding for vaccine development has been scarce in this context. The High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly in 2024 offers an opportunity to rethink how research and development can be reoriented to serve disease management, prevention, patient access, and antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramanan Laxminarayan
- One Health Trust, Bengaluru, India; High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | | | | | - Jennifer Cohn
- Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Steffanie Strathdee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nithima Sumpradit
- Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | | | - Heiman Wertheim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboudumc Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboudumc, Netherlands
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6
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Miller WR, Arias CA. ESKAPE pathogens: antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, clinical impact and therapeutics. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024:10.1038/s41579-024-01054-w. [PMID: 38831030 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01054-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance and a dwindling antimicrobial pipeline have been recognized as emerging threats to public health. The ESKAPE pathogens - Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. - were initially identified as critical multidrug-resistant bacteria for which effective therapies were rapidly needed. Now, entering the third decade of the twenty-first century, and despite the introduction of several new antibiotics and antibiotic adjuvants, such as novel β-lactamase inhibitors, these organisms continue to represent major therapeutic challenges. These bacteria share several key biological features, including adaptations for survival in the modern health-care setting, diverse methods for acquiring resistance determinants and the dissemination of successful high-risk clones around the world. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, novel tools to track and combat the spread of these organisms have rapidly evolved, as well as renewed interest in non-traditional antibiotic approaches. In this Review, we explore the current epidemiology and clinical impact of this important group of bacterial pathogens and discuss relevant mechanisms of resistance to recently introduced antibiotics that affect their use in clinical settings. Furthermore, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies needed for effective patient care in the era of widespread antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cesar A Arias
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
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7
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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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Ralhan K, Iyer KA, Diaz LL, Bird R, Maind A, Zhou QA. Navigating Antibacterial Frontiers: A Panoramic Exploration of Antibacterial Landscapes, Resistance Mechanisms, and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1483-1519. [PMID: 38691668 PMCID: PMC11091902 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00115] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The development of effective antibacterial solutions has become paramount in maintaining global health in this era of increasing bacterial threats and rampant antibiotic resistance. Traditional antibiotics have played a significant role in combating bacterial infections throughout history. However, the emergence of novel resistant strains necessitates constant innovation in antibacterial research. We have analyzed the data on antibacterials from the CAS Content Collection, the largest human-curated collection of published scientific knowledge, which has proven valuable for quantitative analysis of global scientific knowledge. Our analysis focuses on mining the CAS Content Collection data for recent publications (since 2012). This article aims to explore the intricate landscape of antibacterial research while reviewing the advancement from traditional antibiotics to novel and emerging antibacterial strategies. By delving into the resistance mechanisms, this paper highlights the need to find alternate strategies to address the growing concern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leilani Lotti Diaz
- CAS,
A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Robert Bird
- CAS,
A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Ankush Maind
- ACS
International India Pvt. Ltd., Pune 411044, India
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9
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Wang H, Yang Y, Wang S, Badawy S, Ares I, Martínez M, Lopez-Torres B, Martínez-Larrañaga MR, Wang X, Anadón A, Martínez MA. Antimicrobial sensitisers: Gatekeepers to avoid the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria. J Control Release 2024; 369:25-38. [PMID: 38508527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.031] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The resistance of multidrug-resistant bacteria to existing antibiotics forces the continued development of new antibiotics and antibacterial agents, but the high costs and long timeframe involved in the development of new agents renders the hope that existing antibiotics may again play a part. The "antibiotic adjuvant" is an indirect antibacterial strategy, but its vague concept has, in the past, limited the development speed of related drugs. In this review article, we put forward an accurate concept of a "non-self-antimicrobial sensitisers (NSAS)", to distinguish it from an "antibiotic adjuvant", and then discuss several scientific methods to restore bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics, and the sources and action mechanism of existing NSAS, in order to guide the development and further research of NSAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanfei Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yingying Yang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Simeng Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Sara Badawy
- MAO Laboratory for Risk Assessment of Quality and Safety of Livestock and Poultry Products, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Pathology Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
| | - Irma Ares
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Martínez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernardo Lopez-Torres
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Rosa Martínez-Larrañaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Xu Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; MAO Laboratory for Risk Assessment of Quality and Safety of Livestock and Poultry Products, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Arturo Anadón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - María-Aránzazu Martínez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), and Research Institute Hospital, 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Lendel AM, Antonova NP, Grigoriev IV, Usachev EV, Gushchin VA, Vasina DV. Biofilm-disrupting effects of phage endolysins LysAm24, LysAp22, LysECD7, and LysSi3: breakdown the matrix. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:186. [PMID: 38683213 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03999-9] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The ability of most opportunistic bacteria to form biofilms, coupled with antimicrobial resistance, hinder the efforts to control widespread infections, resulting in high risks of negative outcomes and economic costs. Endolysins are promising compounds that efficiently combat bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains and biofilms, without a low probability of subsequent emergence of stable endolysin-resistant phenotypes. However, the details of antibiofilm effects of these enzymes are poorly understood. To elucidate the interactions of bacteriophage endolysins LysAm24, LysAp22, LysECD7, and LysSi3 with bacterial films formed by Gram-negative species, we estimated their composition and assessed the endolysins' effects on the most abundant exopolymers in vitro. The obtained data suggests a pronounced efficiency of these lysins against biofilms with high (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and low (Acinetobacter baumannii) matrix contents, or dual-species biofilms, resulting in at least a twofold loss of the biomass. These peptidoglycan hydrolases interacted diversely with protective compounds of biofilms such as extracellular DNA and polyanionic carbohydrates, indicating a spectrum of biofilm-disrupting effects for bacteriolytic phage enzymes. Specifically, we detected disruption of acid exopolysaccharides by LysAp22, strong DNA-binding capacity of LysAm24, both of these interactions for LysECD7, and neither of them for LysSi3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya M Lendel
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia.
| | - Nataliia P Antonova
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia
| | - Evgeny V Usachev
- Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Gushchin
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia
| | - Daria V Vasina
- Laboratory of Pathogen Population Variability Mechanisms, N. F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 123098, Russia
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11
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Slingerland C, Martin NI. Recent Advances in the Development of Polymyxin Antibiotics: 2010-2023. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1056-1079. [PMID: 38470446 PMCID: PMC11019560 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00630] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
The polymyxins are nonribosomal lipopeptides produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa and are potent antibiotics with activity specifically directed against Gram-negative bacteria. While the clinical use of polymyxins has historically been limited due to their toxicity, their use is on the rise given the lack of alternative treatment options for infections due to multidrug resistant Gram-negative pathogens. The Gram-negative specificity of the polymyxins is due to their ability to target lipid A, the membrane embedded LPS anchor that decorates the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria. Notably, the mechanisms responsible for polymyxin toxicity, and in particular their nephrotoxicity, are only partially understood with most insights coming from studies carried out in the past decade. In parallel, many synthetic and semisynthetic polymyxin analogues have been developed in recent years in an attempt to mitigate the nephrotoxicity of the natural products. Despite these efforts, to date, no polymyxin analogues have gained clinical approval. This may soon change, however, as at the moment there are three novel polymyxin analogues in clinical trials. In this context, this review provides an update of the most recent insights with regard to the structure-activity relationships and nephrotoxicity of new polymyxin variants reported since 2010. We also discuss advances in the synthetic methods used to generate new polymyxin analogues, both via total synthesis and semisynthesis.
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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
| | - Nathaniel I. Martin
- Biological
Chemistry Group, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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12
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Huseby DL, Cao S, Zamaratski E, Sooriyaarachchi S, Ahmad S, Bergfors T, Krasnova L, Pelss J, Ikaunieks M, Loza E, Katkevics M, Bobileva O, Cirule H, Gukalova B, Grinberga S, Backlund M, Simoff I, Leber AT, Berruga-Fernández T, Antonov D, Konda VR, Lindström S, Olanders G, Brandt P, Baranczewski P, Vingsbo Lundberg C, Liepinsh E, Suna E, Jones TA, Mowbray SL, Hughes D, Karlén A. Antibiotic class with potent in vivo activity targeting lipopolysaccharide synthesis in Gram-negative bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317274121. [PMID: 38579010 PMCID: PMC11009625 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317274121] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe the identification of an antibiotic class acting via LpxH, a clinically unexploited target in lipopolysaccharide synthesis. The lipopolysaccharide synthesis pathway is essential in most Gram-negative bacteria and there is no analogous pathway in humans. Based on a series of phenotypic screens, we identified a hit targeting this pathway that had activity on efflux-defective strains of Escherichia coli. We recognized common structural elements between this hit and a previously published inhibitor, also with activity against efflux-deficient bacteria. With the help of X-ray structures, this information was used to design inhibitors with activity on efflux-proficient, wild-type strains. Optimization of properties such as solubility, metabolic stability and serum protein binding resulted in compounds having potent in vivo efficacy against bloodstream infections caused by the critical Gram-negative pathogens E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Other favorable properties of the series include a lack of pre-existing resistance in clinical isolates, and no loss of activity against strains expressing extended-spectrum-β-lactamase, metallo-β-lactamase, or carbapenemase-resistance genes. Further development of this class of antibiotics could make an important contribution to the ongoing struggle against antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas L. Huseby
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Sha Cao
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Edouard Zamaratski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | | | - Shabbir Ahmad
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Terese Bergfors
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Laura Krasnova
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | - Juris Pelss
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | | | - Einars Loza
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | | | - Olga Bobileva
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | - Helena Cirule
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | - Baiba Gukalova
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | | | - Maria Backlund
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala Drug Optimization and Pharmaceutical Profiling, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Ivailo Simoff
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala Drug Optimization and Pharmaceutical Profiling, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Anna T. Leber
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Talía Berruga-Fernández
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Dmitry Antonov
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Vivekananda R. Konda
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Stefan Lindström
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Gustav Olanders
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Peter Brandt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Pawel Baranczewski
- Department of Pharmacy, SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | | | | | - Edgars Suna
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, RigaLV-1006, Latvia
| | - T. Alwyn Jones
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Sherry L. Mowbray
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Diarmaid Hughes
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
| | - Anders Karlén
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, BMC, Uppsala University, UppsalaSE-75123, Sweden
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13
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Yoon Y, Song S. Structural Insights into the Lipopolysaccharide Transport (Lpt) System as a Novel Antibiotic Target. J Microbiol 2024; 62:261-275. [PMID: 38816673 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-024-00137-w] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a critical component of the extracellular leaflet within the bacterial outer membrane, forming an effective physical barrier against environmental threats in Gram-negative bacteria. After LPS is synthesized and matured in the bacterial cytoplasm and the inner membrane (IM), LPS is inserted into the outer membrane (OM) through the ATP-driven LPS transport (Lpt) pathway, which is an energy-intensive process. A trans-envelope complex that contains seven Lpt proteins (LptA-LptG) is crucial for extracting LPS from the IM and transporting it across the periplasm to the OM. The last step in LPS transport involves the mediation of the LptDE complex, facilitating the insertion of LPS into the outer leaflet of the OM. As the Lpt system plays an essential role in maintaining the impermeability of the OM via LPS decoration, the interactions between these interconnected subunits, which are meticulously regulated, may be potential targets for the development of new antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In this review, we aimed to provide an overview of current research concerning the structural interactions within the Lpt system and their implications to clarify the function and regulation of LPS transport in the overall process of OM biogenesis. Additionally, we explored studies on the development of therapeutic inhibitors of LPS transport, the factors that limit success, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurim Yoon
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Saemee Song
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Paterson DL. Antibacterial agents active against Gram Negative Bacilli in phase I, II, or III clinical trials. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:371-387. [PMID: 38445383 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2326028] [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: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to modern healthcare, and it is often regarded that the antibiotic pipeline is 'dry.' AREAS COVERED Antimicrobial agents active against Gram negative bacilli in Phase I, II, or III clinical trials were reviewed. EXPERT OPINION Nearly 50 antimicrobial agents (28 small molecules and 21 non-traditional antimicrobial agents) active against Gram-negative bacilli are currently in clinical trials. These have the potential to provide substantial improvements to the antimicrobial armamentarium, although it is known that 'leakage' from the pipeline occurs due to findings of toxicity during clinical trials. Significantly, a lack of funding for large phase III clinical trials is likely to prevent trials occurring for the indications most relevant to loss of life attributed to antimicrobial resistance such as ventilator-associated pneumonia. Non-traditional antimicrobial agents face issues in clinical development such as a lack of readily available and reliable susceptibility tests, and the potential need for superiority trials rather than non-inferiority trials. Most importantly, concrete plans must be made during clinical development for access of new antimicrobial agents to areas of the world where resistance to Gram negative bacilli is most frequent.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Paterson
- ADVANCE-ID, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Kharga K, Jha S, Vishwakarma T, Kumar L. Current developments and prospects of the antibiotic delivery systems. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-40. [PMID: 38425122 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2321480] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotics have remained the cornerstone for the treatment of bacterial infections ever since their discovery in the twentieth century. The uproar over antibiotic resistance among bacteria arising from genome plasticity and biofilm development has rendered current antibiotic therapies ineffective, urging the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria has further heightened the clinical failure of antibiotic therapy, which is often linked to its low bioavailability, side effects, and poor penetration and accumulation at the site of infection. In this review, we highlight the potential use of siderophores, antibodies, cell-penetrating peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, and nanoparticles to smuggle antibiotics across impermeable biological membranes to achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We will discuss the general mechanisms via which each delivery system functions and how it can be tailored to deliver antibiotics against the paradigm of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusum Kharga
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Shubhang Jha
- School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Tanvi Vishwakarma
- School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Lokender Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India
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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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Kim SH, Hind CK, Fernandes GFS, Wu J, Semenya D, Clifford M, Marsh C, Anselmi S, Mason AJ, Bruce KD, Sutton JM, Castagnolo D. Development of Novel Membrane Disrupting Lipoguanidine Compounds Sensitizing Gram-Negative Bacteria to Antibiotics. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:239-249. [PMID: 38352828 PMCID: PMC10860194 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00460] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
A new class of amphiphilic molecules, the lipoguanidines, designed as hybrids of guanidine and fatty acid compounds, has been synthesized and developed. The new molecules present both a guanidine polar head and a lipophilic tail that allow them to disrupt bacterial membranes and to sensitize Gram-negative bacteria to the action of the narrow-spectrum antibiotics rifampicin and novobiocin. The lipoguanidine 5g sensitizes Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli to rifampicin, thereby reducing the antibiotic minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) up to 256-fold. Similarly, 5g is able to potentiate novobiocin up to 64-fold, thereby showing a broad spectrum of antibiotic potentiating activity. Toxicity and mechanism studies revealed the potential of 5g to work synergistically with rifampicin through the disruption of bacterial membranes without affecting eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Heun Kim
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte K. Hind
- Antimicrobial
Discovery, Development and Diagnostics, Vaccine Development and Evaluation
Centre, UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Guilherme F. S. Fernandes
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jingyue Wu
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothy Semenya
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Clifford
- Antimicrobial
Discovery, Development and Diagnostics, Vaccine Development and Evaluation
Centre, UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Caleb Marsh
- Antimicrobial
Discovery, Development and Diagnostics, Vaccine Development and Evaluation
Centre, UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Anselmi
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - A. James Mason
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth D. Bruce
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - J. Mark Sutton
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
- Antimicrobial
Discovery, Development and Diagnostics, Vaccine Development and Evaluation
Centre, UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Daniele Castagnolo
- Department
of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Science, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
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18
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Gupta R, Singh M, Pathania R. Chemical genetic approaches for the discovery of bacterial cell wall inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2125-2154. [PMID: 37974958 PMCID: PMC10650376 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00143a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens is a worldwide health issue. The innovation gap in discovering new antibiotics has remained a significant hurdle in combating the AMR problem. Currently, antibiotics target various vital components of the bacterial cell envelope, nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis machinery and metabolic pathways essential for bacterial survival. The critical role of the bacterial cell envelope in cell morphogenesis and integrity makes it an attractive drug target. While a significant number of in-clinic antibiotics target peptidoglycan biosynthesis, several components of the bacterial cell envelope have been overlooked. This review focuses on various antibacterial targets in the bacterial cell wall and the strategies employed to find their novel inhibitors. This review will further elaborate on combining forward and reverse chemical genetic approaches to discover antibacterials that target the bacterial cell envelope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinki Gupta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Roorkee - 247 667 Uttarakhand India
| | - Mangal Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Roorkee - 247 667 Uttarakhand India
| | - Ranjana Pathania
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Roorkee - 247 667 Uttarakhand India
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19
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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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20
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Karasiński M, Wnorowska U, Durnaś B, Król G, Daniluk T, Skłodowski K, Głuszek K, Piktel E, Okła S, Bucki R. Ceragenins and Ceragenin-Based Core-Shell Nanosystems as New Antibacterial Agents against Gram-Negative Rods Causing Nosocomial Infections. Pathogens 2023; 12:1346. [PMID: 38003809 PMCID: PMC10674730 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111346] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing number of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, limited treatment options, multi-species infections, high toxicity of the antibiotics used, and an increase in treatment costs are major challenges for modern medicine. To remedy this, scientists are looking for new antibiotics and treatment methods that will effectively eradicate bacteria while continually developing different resistance mechanisms. Ceragenins are a new group of antimicrobial agents synthesized based on molecular patterns that define the mechanism of antibacterial action of natural antibacterial peptides and steroid-polyamine conjugates such as squalamine. Since ceragenins have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, with little recorded ability of bacteria to develop a resistance mechanism that can bridge their mechanism of action, there are high hopes that this group of molecules can give rise to a new family of drugs effective against bacteria resistant to currently used antibiotics. Experimental data suggests that core-shell nanosystems, in which ceragenins are presented to bacterial cells on metallic nanoparticles, may increase their antimicrobial potential and reduce their toxicity. However, studies should be conducted, among others, to assess potential long-term cytotoxicity and in vivo studies to confirm their activity and stability in animal models. Here, we summarized the current knowledge on ceragenins and ceragenin-containing nanoantibiotics as potential new tools against emerging Gram-negative rods associated with nosocomial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Karasiński
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (M.K.); (U.W.); (T.D.); (K.S.)
| | - Urszula Wnorowska
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (M.K.); (U.W.); (T.D.); (K.S.)
| | - Bonita Durnaś
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (B.D.); (G.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Grzegorz Król
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (B.D.); (G.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Tamara Daniluk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (M.K.); (U.W.); (T.D.); (K.S.)
| | - Karol Skłodowski
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (M.K.); (U.W.); (T.D.); (K.S.)
| | - Katarzyna Głuszek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (B.D.); (G.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Ewelina Piktel
- Independent Laboratory of Nanomedicine, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2B, 15-222 Białystok, Poland;
| | - Sławomir Okła
- Holy Cross Oncology Center of Kielce, Artwińskiego 3, 25-734 Kielce, Poland;
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland; (M.K.); (U.W.); (T.D.); (K.S.)
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21
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Gordon O, Gobburu JVS, Dunn A. Molecular Imaging to Study Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetics In Vivo. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S297-S301. [PMID: 37788503 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad011] [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: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While antimicrobials are among the most prescribed drugs, the use of some older antibiotics is not optimized for efficacy in terms of dosage, route of administration, and duration of therapy. Knowledge gaps exist regarding the heterogeneous microenvironments within different infected tissues consisting of varying bacterial loads, immune responses, and drug gradients. Positron-emission tomography-based imaging, where radiolabeled drugs are visualized within the living body, enables accurate, holistic, and real-time determination of pharmacokinetics to provide valuable, actionable data to optimize antibiotic use. Here we briefly review the concepts, history, and recent progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Gordon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jogarao V S Gobburu
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison Dunn
- Center for Translational Medicine, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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22
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Kim H, Jang JH, Jung IY, Kim HR, Cho JH. Novel Genetically Engineered Probiotics for Targeted Elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Intestinal Colonization. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2645. [PMID: 37893018 PMCID: PMC10604247 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102645] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal carriage rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are notably elevated in immunosuppressed individuals and hospitalized patients, increasing the risk of infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A potential solution to this issue lies in autonomous antibacterial therapy, remaining inactive until a pathogen is detected, and releasing antibacterial compounds on demand to eliminate the pathogen. This study focuses on the development of genetically engineered probiotics capable of detecting and eradicating P. aeruginosa by producing and secreting PA2-GNU7, a P. aeruginosa-selective antimicrobial peptide (AMP), triggered by the presence of P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3OC12HSL). To achieve this goal, plasmid-based systems were constructed to produce AMPs in response to 3OC12HSL and secrete them into the extracellular medium using either the microcin V secretion system or YebF as a carrier protein. Following the transfer of these plasmid-based systems to Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), we successfully demonstrated the ability of the engineered EcN to express and secrete PA2-GNU7, leading to the inhibition of P. aeruginosa growth in vitro. In addition, in a mouse model of intestinal P. aeruginosa colonization, the administration of engineered EcN resulted in reduced levels of P. aeruginosa in both the feces and the colon. These findings suggest that engineered EcN holds promise as a potential option for combating intestinal P. aeruginosa colonization, thus mitigating the risk of future endogenous infections in vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Kim
- Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (J.H.J.)
| | - Ju Hye Jang
- Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (J.H.J.)
| | - In Young Jung
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (I.Y.J.); (H.R.K.)
| | - Ha Rang Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (I.Y.J.); (H.R.K.)
| | - Ju Hyun Cho
- Research Institute of Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (J.H.J.)
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (I.Y.J.); (H.R.K.)
- Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
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23
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Chen Y, Zhao J, Liu C, Wu D, Wang X. In-vitro antibacterial activity and mechanism of Monarda didyma essential oils against Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:263. [PMID: 37730531 PMCID: PMC10512558 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03015-4] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
To fight the global epidemic of drug-resistant bacteria, essential oils have gained increasing attention as a new source of antibiotics. The antimicrobial activity of Monarda didyma essential oils (MDEO) for the Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains were determined by agar disc diffusion assay and broth microdilution assay. To further understand MDEO efficacy, a time-growth curve was performed. The biofilm formation of CRKP were determined by crystalline violet staining method, additionally, changes in intracellular Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), protein, Alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities, and membrane integrity were investigated to assess the influence of MDEO on cell membrane damage. Finally, the activities of key enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) pathways and pentose phosphate (PPP) pathways were examined to determine the effect of MDEO on the respiratory metabolism of CRKP. This study presents the antibacterial mechanism of MDEO against CRKP with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1.25 mg/ml. To understand MDEO efficacy, a time-kill kinetics approach was performed. The bactericidal effect of MDEO was evident at 2 h compared to the control at its MIC and 2MIC. Surface electron microscopic and ATP assay studies provided evidence for the multi-target action of MDEO against CRKP. MDEO could inhibit CRKP biofilm formation. MDEO could also cause irreversible damage to the CRKP cell membrane, resulting in the leakage of biological macromolecules (protein, ATP) and the reduction of intracellular enzymes (AKP) activities. Finally, MDEO affected the pathways of respiratory metabolism, such as PPP and TCA pathways. MDEO could reduce the activity of key enzymes (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase) in the PPP and TCA pathways to exert its biological effects against CRKP. These results suggest MDEO can exert inhibitory effects on CRKP, and potential mechanisms of action including inhibition of biofilm formation, damage of cell membrane structure and inhibition of energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Key laboratory of Microecology-immune Regulatory Network and Related Diseases School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, NO. 148 Xuefu Street, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154000, Heilongjiang Province, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, NO 348 Dexiang street, Xiangyang district, Jiamusi, 154000, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jinda Zhao
- Key laboratory of Microecology-immune Regulatory Network and Related Diseases School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, NO. 148 Xuefu Street, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154000, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Chenyu Liu
- Key laboratory of Microecology-immune Regulatory Network and Related Diseases School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, NO. 148 Xuefu Street, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154000, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Dongmei Wu
- Key laboratory of Microecology-immune Regulatory Network and Related Diseases School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, NO. 148 Xuefu Street, Xiangyang District, Jiamusi, 154000, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Xianhe Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, NO 348 Dexiang street, Xiangyang district, Jiamusi, 154000, Heilongjiang Province, China.
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24
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Khamnoi P, Jumroon N, Khamphakul J, Chaihongsa N, Santanirand P. In Vitro Activity of Cefiderocol, Cefepime-Zidebactam, and β-Lactam Combinations Versus Other Antibiotic Classes Against Various Sequence Types of Clinically Isolated Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microb Drug Resist 2023; 29:416-422. [PMID: 37405765 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2023.0070] [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: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to establish the in vitro efficacy and susceptibility profiles of new β-lactam antibiotics against clinically isolated carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) strains. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 nonduplicated CPKP isolates were tested against cefiderocol, cefepime-zidebactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, tigecycline, and other 20 antibiotics by broth microdilution. The carbapenemase genes were identified using PCR and sequencing, while multilocus sequence typing established the bacterial strains. Results: Three significant sequence types (STs), including ST147, ST16, and ST11, were shown to be the dominant STs, which occupied ∼90% of the tested population. Three carbapenemase genes, blaNDM-1, blaOXA-181, and blaOXA-232, were detected. The blaNDM-1 was found in ST147 and ST16 but not in ST11, while the blaOXA-232 was not detected in ST147. The majority of ST16 isolates contained both blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-232, which was not seen in other strains. Cefiderocol, cefepime-zidebactam, and tigecycline were the most active agents against CPKP. Both MIC50 and MIC90 of these three antibiotics remained within the susceptible categories, while nearly all other antibiotics were in the resistant levels. However, in ST11, which carried only blaOXA genes without blaNDM-1, ceftazidime-avibactam was effective with the MIC90 at 2 μg/mL. In addition, amikacin was shown to have good activity in ST11. In contrast, gentamicin was active in only ST16 and ST147. Conclusions: This study is the first report that demonstrates the prevalence of CPKP, distribution of strains, resistant genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles in northern Thailand. These data would contribute to appropriate individual treatment and the selection of infection control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phadungkiat Khamnoi
- Microbiology Unit, Diagnostic Laboratory, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Noppadon Jumroon
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - Jakkrit Khamphakul
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narong Chaihongsa
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pitak Santanirand
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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25
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Butler MS, Henderson IR, Capon RJ, Blaskovich MAT. Antibiotics in the clinical pipeline as of December 2022. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2023; 76:431-473. [PMID: 37291465 PMCID: PMC10248350 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-023-00629-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The need for new antibacterial drugs to treat the increasing global prevalence of drug-resistant bacterial infections has clearly attracted global attention, with a range of existing and upcoming funding, policy, and legislative initiatives designed to revive antibacterial R&D. It is essential to assess whether these programs are having any real-world impact and this review continues our systematic analyses that began in 2011. Direct-acting antibacterials (47), non-traditional small molecule antibacterials (5), and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (10) under clinical development as of December 2022 are described, as are the three antibacterial drugs launched since 2020. Encouragingly, the increased number of early-stage clinical candidates observed in the 2019 review increased in 2022, although the number of first-time drug approvals from 2020 to 2022 was disappointingly low. It will be critical to monitor how many Phase-I and -II candidates move into Phase-III and beyond in the next few years. There was also an enhanced presence of novel antibacterial pharmacophores in early-stage trials, and at least 18 of the 26 phase-I candidates were targeted to treat Gram-negative bacteria infections. Despite the promising early-stage antibacterial pipeline, it is essential to maintain funding for antibacterial R&D and to ensure that plans to address late-stage pipeline issues succeed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Butler
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Robert J Capon
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Mark A T Blaskovich
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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26
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Kadeřábková N, Mahmood AJS, Furniss RCD, Mavridou DAI. Making a chink in their armor: Current and next-generation antimicrobial strategies against the bacterial cell envelope. Adv Microb Physiol 2023; 83:221-307. [PMID: 37507160 PMCID: PMC10517717 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2023.05.003] [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] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are uniquely equipped to defeat antibiotics. Their outermost layer, the cell envelope, is a natural permeability barrier that contains an array of resistance proteins capable of neutralizing most existing antimicrobials. As a result, its presence creates a major obstacle for the treatment of resistant infections and for the development of new antibiotics. Despite this seemingly impenetrable armor, in-depth understanding of the cell envelope, including structural, functional and systems biology insights, has promoted efforts to target it that can ultimately lead to the generation of new antibacterial therapies. In this article, we broadly overview the biology of the cell envelope and highlight attempts and successes in generating inhibitors that impair its function or biogenesis. We argue that the very structure that has hampered antibiotic discovery for decades has untapped potential for the design of novel next-generation therapeutics against bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikol Kadeřábková
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ayesha J S Mahmood
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - R Christopher D Furniss
- MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Despoina A I Mavridou
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States; John Ring LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.
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27
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Peukert C, Vetter AC, Fuchs HLS, Harmrolfs K, Karge B, Stadler M, Brönstrup M. Siderophore conjugation with cleavable linkers boosts the potency of RNA polymerase inhibitors against multidrug-resistant E. coli. Chem Sci 2023; 14:5490-5502. [PMID: 37234900 PMCID: PMC10208051 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06850h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The growing antibiotic resistance, foremost in Gram-negative bacteria, requires novel therapeutic approaches. We aimed to enhance the potency of well-established antibiotics targeting the RNA polymerase (RNAP) by utilizing the microbial iron transport machinery to improve drug translocation across their cell membrane. As covalent modifications resulted in moderate-low antibiotic activity, cleavable linkers were designed that permit a release of the antibiotic payload inside the bacteria and unperturbed target binding. A panel of ten cleavable siderophore-ciprofloxacin conjugates with systematic variation at the chelator and the linker moiety was used to identify the quinone trimethyl lock in conjugates 8 and 12 as the superior linker system, displaying minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ≤1 μM. Then, rifamycins, sorangicin A and corallopyronin A, representatives of three structurally and mechanistically different natural product RNAP inhibitor classes, were conjugated via the quinone linker to hexadentate hydroxamate and catecholate siderophores in 15-19 synthetic steps. MIC assays revealed an up to 32-fold increase in antibiotic activity against multidrug-resistant E. coli for conjugates such as 24 or 29 compared to free rifamycin. Experiments with knockout mutants in the transport system showed that translocation and antibiotic effects were conferred by several outer membrane receptors, whose coupling to the TonB protein was essential for activity. A functional release mechanism was demonstrated analytically by enzyme assays in vitro, and a combination of subcellular fractionation and quantitative mass spectrometry proved cellular uptake of the conjugate, release of the antibiotic, and its increased accumulation in the cytosol of bacteria. The study demonstrates how the potency of existing antibiotics against resistant Gram-negative pathogens can be boosted by adding functions for active transport and intracellular release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Peukert
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Anna C Vetter
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Hazel L S Fuchs
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Kirsten Harmrolfs
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Bianka Karge
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität Braunschweig Spielmannstraße 7 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Mark Brönstrup
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Inhoffenstraße 7 38124 Braunschweig Germany
- Institute for Organic Chemistry (IOC), Leibniz Universität Hannover Schneiderberg 1B 30167 Hannover Germany
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28
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LaGree TJ, Byrd BA, Quelle RM, Schofield SL, Mok WWK. Stimulating Transcription in Antibiotic-Tolerant Escherichia coli Sensitizes It to Fluoroquinolone and Nonfluoroquinolone Topoisomerase Inhibitors. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0163922. [PMID: 36951560 PMCID: PMC10112259 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01639-22] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic tolerant bacteria and persistent cells that remain alive after a course of antibiotic treatment can foster the chronicity of infections and the development of antibiotic resistance. Elucidating how bacteria overcome antibiotic action and devising strategies to bolster a new drug's activity can allow us to preserve our antibiotic arsenal. Here, we investigate strategies to potentiate the activities of topoisomerase inhibitors against nongrowing Escherichia coli that are often recalcitrant to existing antibiotics. We focus on sensitizing bacteria to the fluoroquinolone (FQ) levofloxacin (Levo) and to the spiropyrimidinetrione zoliflodacin (Zoli)-the first antibiotic in its class of compounds in clinical development. We found that metabolic stimulation either alone or in combination with inhibiting the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump sensitized stationary-phase E. coli to Levo and Zoli. We demonstrate that the added metabolites increased proton motive force generation and ATP production in stationary-phase cultures without restarting growth. Instead, the stimulated bacteria increased transcription and translation, which rendered the populations more susceptible to topoisomerase inhibitors. Our findings illuminate potential vulnerabilities of antibiotic-tolerant bacteria that can be leveraged to sensitize them to new and existing classes of topoisomerase inhibitors. These approaches enable us to stay one step ahead of adaptive bacteria and safeguard the efficacy of our existing antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis J. LaGree
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brandon A. Byrd
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ryan M. Quelle
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Schofield
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Wendy W. K. Mok
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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29
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Kim DY, Yeom S, Park J, Lee H, Kim HJ. Cytoplasmic Delivery of an Antibiotic, Trimethoprim, with a Simple Bidentate Catechol Analog as a Siderophore Mimetic. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:554-566. [PMID: 36753707 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens are escalating, and accordingly siderophore-based intracellular antibiotic delivery is attracting more attention as an effective means to overcome these infections. Despite the successful clinical translation of this strategy, the delivery potential of siderophores has been limited to periplasm targeting, and this has appreciably restricted the repertoire of applicable antibiotics. To overcome this shortcoming of the current technology, this study focused on investigating the capability of simple bidentate catechol analogs to function as vehicles for cytoplasmic antibiotic delivery. Specifically, by employing trimethoprim, an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase located in the cytoplasm, as a model antibiotic, a chemical library of chelator-antibiotic conjugates featuring four different catechol analogs was prepared. Then, their various pharmacological properties and antimicrobial activities were evaluated. Analysis of these characterization data led to the identification of the active conjugates exhibiting notable iron- and trimethoprim-dependent potency against Escherichia coli. Further characterization of these hit molecules using E. coli mutant strains revealed that 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate could effectively deliver several corresponding conjugates to the cytoplasm by exploiting the siderophore uptake machineries present across the outer and inner membranes, originally designated for the native siderophore of E. coli, enterobactin. Considering the synthetic simplicity, such a catechol analog could have appreciable usage in potentiating cytoplasm-active antibiotics against recalcitrant Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Young Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Center for ProteoGeonomics Research, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Suyeon Yeom
- Department of Chemistry and Center for ProteoGeonomics Research, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Park
- Department of Chemistry and Center for ProteoGeonomics Research, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyeong Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Center for ProteoGeonomics Research, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak Joong Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Center for ProteoGeonomics Research, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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30
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Kharga K, Kumar L, Patel SKS. Recent Advances in Monoclonal Antibody-Based Approaches in the Management of Bacterial Sepsis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030765. [PMID: 36979744 PMCID: PMC10045367 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to an infectious agent and its antigens. Immune cell activation against the antigens causes severe distress that mediates a strong inflammatory response in vital organs. Sepsis is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapeutic strategies are now being explored as a viable therapy option for severe sepsis and septic shock. Monoclonal antibodies may provide benefits through two major strategies: (a) monoclonal antibodies targeting the pathogen and its components, and (b) mAbs targeting inflammatory signaling may directly suppress the production of inflammatory mediators. The major focus of mAb therapies has been bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), although other surface antigens are also being investigated for mAb therapy. Several promising candidates for mAbs are undergoing clinical trials at present. Despite several failures and the investigation of novel targets, mAb therapy provides a glimmer of hope for the treatment of severe bacterial sepsis and septic shock. In this review, mAb candidates, their efficacy against controlling infection, with special emphasis on potential roadblocks, and prospects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kusum Kharga
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Lokender Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Raj Khosla Centre for Cancer Research, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, Himachal Pradesh, India
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (S.K.S.P.)
| | - Sanjay Kumar Singh Patel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (S.K.S.P.)
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31
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Functional Diversity of Gram-Negative Permeability Barriers Reflected in Antibacterial Activities and Intracellular Accumulation of Antibiotics. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0137722. [PMID: 36715507 PMCID: PMC9933635 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01377-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are notoriously more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria, primarily due to the presence of the outer membrane and a plethora of active efflux pumps. However, the potency of antibiotics also varies dramatically between different Gram-negative pathogens, suggesting major mechanistic differences in how antibiotics penetrate permeability barriers. Two approaches are used broadly to analyze how permeability barriers affect intracellular accumulation of antibiotics. One compares the antibacterial activities of compounds, while the other measures the total intracellular concentrations of compounds in nongrowing cells, with both approaches using strains harboring wild-type or genetically modified efflux systems and permeability barriers. Whether the two assays provide similar mechanistic insights remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the intracellular accumulation and antibacterial activities of antibiotics representative of major clinical classes in three Gram-negative pathogens of high clinical importance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii. We found that both assays are informative about properties of permeability barriers, but there is no quantitative agreement between the assays. Our results show that the three pathogens differ dramatically in their permeability barriers, with the outer membrane playing the dominant role in E. coli and P. aeruginosa but efflux dominating in A. baumannii. However, even compounds of the same chemotype may use different permeation pathways depending on small chemical modifications. Accordingly, a classification analysis revealed limited conservation of molecular properties that define compound penetration into the three bacteria.
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32
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Fisher JF, Mobashery S. β-Lactams from the Ocean. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:86. [PMID: 36827127 PMCID: PMC9963991 DOI: 10.3390/md21020086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The title of this essay is as much a question as it is a statement. The discovery of the β-lactam antibiotics-including penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems-as largely (if not exclusively) secondary metabolites of terrestrial fungi and bacteria, transformed modern medicine. The antibiotic β-lactams inactivate essential enzymes of bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis. Moreover, the ability of the β-lactams to function as enzyme inhibitors is of such great medical value, that inhibitors of the enzymes which degrade hydrolytically the β-lactams, the β-lactamases, have equal value. Given this privileged status for the β-lactam ring, it is therefore a disappointment that the exemplification of this ring in marine secondary metabolites is sparse. It may be that biologically active marine β-lactams are there, and simply have yet to be encountered. In this report, we posit a second explanation: that the value of the β-lactam to secure an ecological advantage in the marine environment might be compromised by its close structural similarity to the β-lactones of quorum sensing. The steric and reactivity similarities between the β-lactams and the β-lactones represent an outside-of-the-box opportunity for correlating new structures and new enzyme targets for the discovery of compelling biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jed F Fisher
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, 354 McCourtney Hall, University of Note Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46656-5670, USA
| | - Shahriar Mobashery
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, 354 McCourtney Hall, University of Note Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46656-5670, USA
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33
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Penicillin Binding Protein 7/8 Is a Potential Drug Target in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2023; 67:e0103322. [PMID: 36475717 PMCID: PMC9872597 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01033-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited therapeutic options dictate the need for new classes of antimicrobials active against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Presented data confirm and extend penicillin binding protein 7/8 (PBP 7/8) as a high-value target in the CR A. baumannii strain HUMC1. PBP 7/8 was essential for optimal growth/survival of HUMC1 in ex vivo human ascites and in a rat subcutaneous abscess model; in a mouse pneumonia model, the absence of PBP 7/8 decreased lethality 11-fold. The loss of PBP 7/8 resulted in increased permeability, sensitivity to complement, and lysozyme-mediated bactericidal activity. These changes did not appear to be due to alterations in the cellular fatty acid composition or capsule production. However, a decrease in lipid A and an increase in coccoidal cells and cell aggregation were noted. The compromise of the stringent permeability barrier in the PBP 7/8 mutant was reflected by an increased susceptibility to several antimicrobials. Importantly, expression of ampC was not significantly affected by the loss of PBP 7/8 and serial passage of the mutant strain in human ascites over 7 days did not yield revertants possessing a wild-type phenotype. In summary, these data and other features support PBP 7/8 as a high-value drug target for extensively drug-resistant and CR A. baumannii. Our results guide next-stage studies; the determination that the inactivation of PBP 7/8 results in an increased sensitivity to lysozyme enables the design of a high-throughput screening assay to identify small molecule compounds that can specifically inhibit PBP 7/8 activity.
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Melander RJ, Mattingly AE, Nemeth AM, Melander C. Overcoming intrinsic resistance in gram-negative bacteria using small molecule adjuvants. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 80:129113. [PMID: 36566797 PMCID: PMC9885958 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.129113] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are intrinsically resistant to many classes of antibiotics, predominantly due to the impermeability of the outer membrane and the presence of efflux pumps. Small molecule adjuvants that circumvent these resistance mechanisms have the potential to expand therapeutic options for treating Gram-negative infections to encompass antibiotic classes that are otherwise limited to treating Gram-positive infections. Adjuvants that effect increased antibiotic permeation, either by physical disruption of the outer membrane or through interference with synthesis, transport, or assembly of membrane components, and adjuvants that limit efflux, are discussed as potential avenues to overcoming intrinsic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta J Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - Anne E Mattingly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - Ansley M Nemeth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - Christian Melander
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States.
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Almeida MC, da Costa PM, Sousa E, Resende DISP. Emerging Target-Directed Approaches for the Treatment and Diagnosis of Microbial Infections. J Med Chem 2023; 66:32-70. [PMID: 36586133 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
With the rising levels of drug resistance, developing efficient antimicrobial therapies has become a priority. A promising strategy is the conjugation of antibiotics with relevant moieties that can potentiate their activity by target-directing. The conjugation of siderophores with antibiotics allows them to act as Trojan horses by hijacking the microorganisms' highly developed iron transport systems and using them to carry the antibiotic into the cell. Through the analysis of relevant examples of the past decade, this Perspective aims to reveal the potential of siderophore-antibiotic Trojan horses for the treatment of infections and the role of siderophores in diagnostic techniques. Other conjugated molecules will be the subject of discussion, namely those involving vitamin B12, carbohydrates, and amino acids, as well as conjugated compounds targeting protein degradation and β-lactamase activated prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana C Almeida
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, FFUP - Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,CIIMAR- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Paulo M da Costa
- CIIMAR- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, FFUP - Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,CIIMAR- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Diana I S P Resende
- Laboratório de Química Orgânica e Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, FFUP - Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,CIIMAR- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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Ruparel FJ, Shah SK, Patel JH, Thakkar NR, Gajera GN, Kothari VO. Network analysis for identifying potential anti-virulence targets from whole transcriptome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus exposed to certain anti-pathogenic polyherbal formulations. Drug Target Insights 2023; 17:58-69. [PMID: 37275512 PMCID: PMC10238913 DOI: 10.33393/dti.2022.2595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global threat. Identification of novel antibacterial targets is urgently warranted to help antimicrobial drug discovery programs. This study attempted identification of potential targets in two important pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Transcriptomes of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus exposed to two different quorum-modulatory polyherbal formulations were subjected to network analysis to identify the most highly networked differentially expressed genes (hubs) as potential anti-virulence targets. Results Genes associated with denitrification and sulfur metabolism emerged as the most important targets in P. aeruginosa. Increased buildup of nitrite (NO2) in P. aeruginosa culture exposed to the polyherbal formulation Panchvalkal was confirmed through in vitro assay too. Generation of nitrosative stress and inducing sulfur starvation seemed to be effective anti-pathogenic strategies against this notorious gram-negative pathogen. Important targets identified in S. aureus were the transcriptional regulator sarA, immunoglobulin-binding protein Sbi, serine protease SplA, the saeR/S response regulator system, and gamma-hemolysin components hlgB and hlgC. Conclusion Further validation of the potential targets identified in this study is warranted through appropriate in vitro and in vivo assays in model hosts. Such validated targets can prove vital to many antibacterial drug discovery programs globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feny J Ruparel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Siddhi K Shah
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Jhanvi H Patel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Nidhi R Thakkar
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Gemini N Gajera
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Vijay O Kothari
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
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Ruparel FJ, Shah SK, Patel JH, Thakkar NR, Gajera GN, Kothari VO. Network analysis for identifying potential anti-virulence targets from whole transcriptome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus exposed to certain anti-pathogenic polyherbal formulations. Drug Target Insights 2023; 17:58-69. [PMID: 37275512 PMCID: PMC10238913 DOI: 10.33393/dti.2023.2595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global threat. Identification of novel antibacterial targets is urgently warranted to help antimicrobial drug discovery programs. This study attempted identification of potential targets in two important pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Transcriptomes of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus exposed to two different quorum-modulatory polyherbal formulations were subjected to network analysis to identify the most highly networked differentially expressed genes (hubs) as potential anti-virulence targets. Results Genes associated with denitrification and sulfur metabolism emerged as the most important targets in P. aeruginosa. Increased buildup of nitrite (NO2) in P. aeruginosa culture exposed to the polyherbal formulation Panchvalkal was confirmed through in vitro assay too. Generation of nitrosative stress and inducing sulfur starvation seemed to be effective anti-pathogenic strategies against this notorious gram-negative pathogen. Important targets identified in S. aureus were the transcriptional regulator sarA, immunoglobulin-binding protein Sbi, serine protease SplA, the saeR/S response regulator system, and gamma-hemolysin components hlgB and hlgC. Conclusion Further validation of the potential targets identified in this study is warranted through appropriate in vitro and in vivo assays in model hosts. Such validated targets can prove vital to many antibacterial drug discovery programs globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feny J Ruparel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Siddhi K Shah
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Jhanvi H Patel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Nidhi R Thakkar
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Gemini N Gajera
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
| | - Vijay O Kothari
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad - India
- FJR, NRT, and GNG contributed equally
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Essential Paralogous Proteins as Potential Antibiotic Multitargets in Escherichia coli. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0204322. [PMID: 36445138 PMCID: PMC9769728 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02043-22] [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: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance threatens our current standards of care for the treatment and prevention of infectious disease. Antibiotics that have multiple targets have a lower propensity for the development of antibiotic resistance than those that have single targets and therefore represent an important tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. In this work, groups of essential paralogous proteins were identified in the important Gram-negative pathogen Escherichia coli that could represent novel targets for multitargeting antibiotics. These groups include targets from a broad range of essential macromolecular and biosynthetic pathways, including cell wall synthesis, membrane biogenesis, transcription, translation, DNA replication, fatty acid biosynthesis, and riboflavin and isoprenoid biosynthesis. Importantly, three groups of clinically validated antibiotic multitargets were identified using this method: the two subunits of the essential topoisomerases, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, and one pair of penicillin-binding proteins. An additional eighteen protein groups represent potentially novel multitargets that could be explored in drug discovery efforts aimed at developing compounds having multiple targets in E. coli and other bacterial pathogens. IMPORTANCE Many types of bacteria have gained resistance to existing antibiotics used in medicine today. Therefore, new antibiotics with novel mechanisms must continue to be developed. One tool to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance is for a single drug to target multiple processes in a bacterium so that more than one change must arise for resistance to develop. The work described here provides a comprehensive search for proteins in the bacterium Escherichia coli that could be targets for such multitargeting antibiotics. Several groups of proteins that are already targets of clinically used antibiotics were identified, indicating that this approach can uncover clinically relevant antibiotic targets. In addition, eighteen currently unexploited groups of proteins were identified, representing new multitargets that could be explored in antibiotic research and development.
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Russo TA, Umland TC, Deng X, El Mazouni F, Kokkonda S, Olson R, Carlino-MacDonald U, Beanan J, Alvarado CL, Tomchick DR, Hutson A, Chen H, Posner B, Rathod PK, Charman SA, Phillips MA. Repurposed dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors with efficacy against drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2213116119. [PMID: 36512492 PMCID: PMC9907071 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213116119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
New antimicrobials are needed for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a validated drug target for malaria and human autoimmune diseases. We provide genetic evidence that A. baumannii DHODH (AbDHODH) is essential for bacterial survival in rodent infection models. We chemically validate the target by repurposing a unique library of ~450 triazolopyrimidine/imidazopyrimidine analogs developed for our malaria DHODH program to identify 21 compounds with submicromolar activity on AbDHODH. The most potent (DSM186, DHODH IC50 28 nM) had a minimal inhibitory concentration of ≤1 µg/ml against geographically diverse A. baumannii strains, including meropenem-resistant isolates. A structurally related analog (DSM161) with a long in vivo half-life conferred significant protection in the neutropenic mouse thigh infection model. Encouragingly, the development of resistance to these compounds was not identified in vitro or in vivo. Lastly, the X-ray structure of AbDHODH bound to DSM186 was solved to 1.4 Å resolution. These data support the potential of AbDHODH as a drug target for the development of antimicrobials for the treatment of A. baumannii and potentially other high-risk bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Russo
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY14215
- The Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
- The Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Timothy C. Umland
- Department of Structural Biology, University at Buffalo State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
- Hauptman Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Xiaoyi Deng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Farah El Mazouni
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Sreekanth Kokkonda
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Ruth Olson
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY14215
- The Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Ulrike Carlino-MacDonald
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY14215
- The Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Janet Beanan
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY14215
- The Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Cassandra L. Alvarado
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY14215
- The Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Diana R. Tomchick
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Alan Hutson
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY14203
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Bruce Posner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Pradipsinh K. Rathod
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Susan A. Charman
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC3052Australia
| | - Margaret A. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX75390
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Theuretzbacher U, Baraldi E, Ciabuschi F, Callegari S. Challenges and shortcomings of antibacterial discovery projects. Clin Microbiol Infect 2022; 29:610-615. [PMID: 36503116 PMCID: PMC10160915 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.11.027] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antibacterial drug discovery activities are essential for filling clinical pipelines with promising clinical candidates. Little information is available about the challenges and shortcomings of small companies and academic institutions in performing these important discovery tasks. METHODS We performed a content analysis of 463 reviewer comments on 91 funding applications of antibacterial drug discovery projects submitted to two major global funders between 2016 and 2020 that had not proceeded further in the selection process. This quality assessment was complemented with the inputs (via e-mail) from a panel involving six antibiotic research and development (R&D) experts with long-standing expertise and experience in antibiotic drug discovery. RESULTS Common critical comments of reviewers are grouped into three main categories: scientific and technical shortcomings, unclear potential societal impact, and insufficient capability and expertise of the project team regarding the R&D process. Insufficient characterization of in vitro activity and/or testing of the hits/leads and insufficient antibacterial activity were the most common critical comments. Other areas of concern were insufficient or lack of differentiation from available drugs or projects with a long R&D history, and the research team's insufficient knowledge of a structured streamlined R&D process as reflected in severe gaps in the expertise of the R&D team. Little appreciation for the problem of the emergence of target-based resistance, especially in single-target approaches, and little awareness of toxicological issues, including approaches with historical liabilities were also commonly mentioned. The shortcomings identified through the analysis of funding applications are echoed by the results of the expert panel. DISCUSSION Our analysis identified an urgent need of strengthening the support for antibacterial drug discovery teams to help more projects reach such a quality to be eligible for global funders and private investors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrico Baraldi
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Simone Callegari
- Department of Informatics and Media, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Michaeli J, Mandel S, Maximov S, Zazoun J, Savoia P, Kothari N, Valmont T, Ferrari L, Duncan LR, Hawser S, Cohen-Kutner M, Bachnoff N. In Vitro and In Vivo Antimicrobial Activity of the Novel Peptide OMN6 against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11091201. [PMID: 36139979 PMCID: PMC9494975 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11091201] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance highlights the significant need for the development of innovative treatments to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study describes the potent antimicrobial activity of the novel peptide OMN6 against a wide array of drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates. OMN6 prevented the growth of all tested isolates, regardless of any pre-existing resistance mechanisms. Moreover, in vitro serial-passaging studies demonstrated that no resistance developed against OMN6. Importantly, OMN6 was highly efficacious in treating animal models of lung and blood infections caused by multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. Taken together, these results point to OMN6 as a novel antimicrobial agent with the potential to treat life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant A. baumannii avoiding resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Michaeli
- Omnix Medical Ltd., High-Tech Village, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 9270401, Israel
| | - Shira Mandel
- Omnix Medical Ltd., High-Tech Village, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 9270401, Israel
| | - Shelly Maximov
- Omnix Medical Ltd., High-Tech Village, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 9270401, Israel
| | - Jonathan Zazoun
- Omnix Medical Ltd., High-Tech Village, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 9270401, Israel
| | - Paola Savoia
- Evotec Anti-Infective, Department of Microbiology Discovery, Aptuit (Verona) Srl, an Evotec Company, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Nimmi Kothari
- IHMA Europe Sàrl, Route de l’Ile-au-Bois 1A, 1870 Monthey, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Valmont
- IHMA Europe Sàrl, Route de l’Ile-au-Bois 1A, 1870 Monthey, Switzerland
| | - Livia Ferrari
- Evotec Anti-Infective, Department of Microbiology Discovery, Aptuit (Verona) Srl, an Evotec Company, Via A. Fleming 4, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Leonard R. Duncan
- JMI Laboratories, 345 Beaver Kreek Centre, Suite A, North Liberty, IA 52317, USA
| | - Stephen Hawser
- IHMA Europe Sàrl, Route de l’Ile-au-Bois 1A, 1870 Monthey, Switzerland
| | - Moshe Cohen-Kutner
- Omnix Medical Ltd., High-Tech Village, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 9270401, Israel
| | - Niv Bachnoff
- Omnix Medical Ltd., High-Tech Village, Givat-Ram Campus, Jerusalem 9270401, Israel
- Correspondence:
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Riu F, Ruda A, Ibba R, Sestito S, Lupinu I, Piras S, Widmalm G, Carta A. Antibiotics and Carbohydrate-Containing Drugs Targeting Bacterial Cell Envelopes: An Overview. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:942. [PMID: 36015090 PMCID: PMC9414505 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain bacteria constitute a threat to humans due to their ability to escape host defenses as they easily develop drug resistance. Bacteria are classified into gram-positive and gram-negative according to the composition of the cell membrane structure. Gram-negative bacteria have an additional outer membrane (OM) that is not present in their gram-positive counterpart; the latter instead hold a thicker peptidoglycan (PG) layer. This review covers the main structural and functional properties of cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs) and PG. Drugs targeting CWPs are discussed, both noncarbohydrate-related (β-lactams, fosfomycin, and lipopeptides) and carbohydrate-related (glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides). Bacterial resistance to these drugs continues to evolve, which calls for novel antibacterial approaches to be developed. The use of carbohydrate-based vaccines as a valid strategy to prevent bacterial infections is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Riu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Ruda
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.R.); (G.W.)
| | - Roberta Ibba
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Simona Sestito
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Ilenia Lupinu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Sandra Piras
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Göran Widmalm
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.R.); (G.W.)
| | - Antonio Carta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.R.); (I.L.); (S.P.); (A.C.)
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