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Vergoz D, Schaumann A, Schmitz I, Afonso C, Dé E, Loutelier-Bourhis C, Alexandre S. Lipidome of Acinetobacter baumannii antibiotic persister cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2024; 1869:159539. [PMID: 39067686 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2024.159539] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Persister cells constitute a bacterial subpopulation able to survive to high concentrations of antibiotics. This phenotype is temporary and reversible, and thus could be involved in the recurrence of infections and emergence of antibiotic resistance. To better understand how persister cells survive to such high antibiotic concentration, we examined changes in their lipid composition. We thus compared the lipidome of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606T persister cells formed under ciprofloxacin treatment with the lipidome of control cells grown without antibiotic. Using matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, we observed a higher abundance of short chains and secondary chains without hydroxylation for lipid A in persister cells. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we found that persister cells produced particular phosphatidylglycerols, as LPAGPE and PAGPE, but also lipids with particular acyl chains containing additional hydroxyl group or uncommon di-unsaturation on C18 and C16 acyl chains. In order to determine the impact of these multiple lipidome modifications on membrane fluidity, fluorescence anisotropy assays were performed. They showed an increase of rigidity for the membrane of persister cells, inducing likely a decrease membrane permeability to protect cells during dormancy. Finally, we highlighted that A. baumannii persister cells also produced particular wax esters, composed of two fatty acids and a fatty diol. These uncommon storage lipids are key metabolites allowing a rapid bacterial regrow when antibiotic pressure disappears. These overall changes in persister lipidome may constitute new therapeutic targets to combat these particular dormant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Vergoz
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, Polymers, Biopolymers, Surfaces Lab., F-76000 Rouen, France; Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014, INC3M FR 3038, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Annick Schaumann
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, Polymers, Biopolymers, Surfaces Lab., F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Isabelle Schmitz
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, Polymers, Biopolymers, Surfaces Lab., F-76000 Rouen, France; Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014, INC3M FR 3038, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Carlos Afonso
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014, INC3M FR 3038, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Emmanuelle Dé
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, Polymers, Biopolymers, Surfaces Lab., F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Corinne Loutelier-Bourhis
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, COBRA UMR 6014, INC3M FR 3038, F-76000 Rouen, France
| | - Stéphane Alexandre
- Univ Rouen Normandie, INSA Rouen Normandie, CNRS, Normandie Univ, PBS UMR 6270, Polymers, Biopolymers, Surfaces Lab., F-76000 Rouen, France.
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Niu H, Gu J, Zhang Y. Bacterial persisters: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic development. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:174. [PMID: 39013893 PMCID: PMC11252167 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01866-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Persisters refer to genetically drug susceptible quiescent (non-growing or slow growing) bacteria that survive in stress environments such as antibiotic exposure, acidic and starvation conditions. These cells can regrow after stress removal and remain susceptible to the same stress. Persisters are underlying the problems of treating chronic and persistent infections and relapse infections after treatment, drug resistance development, and biofilm infections, and pose significant challenges for effective treatments. Understanding the characteristics and the exact mechanisms of persister formation, especially the key molecules that affect the formation and survival of the persisters is critical to more effective treatment of chronic and persistent infections. Currently, genes related to persister formation and survival are being discovered and confirmed, but the mechanisms by which bacteria form persisters are very complex, and there are still many unanswered questions. This article comprehensively summarizes the historical background of bacterial persisters, details their complex characteristics and their relationship with antibiotic tolerant and resistant bacteria, systematically elucidates the interplay between various bacterial biological processes and the formation of persister cells, as well as consolidates the diverse anti-persister compounds and treatments. We hope to provide theoretical background for in-depth research on mechanisms of persisters and suggest new ideas for choosing strategies for more effective treatment of persistent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Niu
- School of Basic Medical Science and Key Laboratory of Blood-stasis-toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaying Gu
- School of Basic Medical Science and Key Laboratory of Blood-stasis-toxin Syndrome of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250022, Shandong, China.
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Jandl B, Dighe S, Gasche C, Makristathis A, Muttenthaler M. Intestinal biofilms: pathophysiological relevance, host defense, and therapeutic opportunities. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024:e0013323. [PMID: 38995034 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00133-23] [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: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYThe human intestinal tract harbors a profound variety of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with the host and each other. It is a complex and highly dynamic environment whose homeostasis directly relates to human health. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and polymicrobial biofilms have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colorectal cancers. This review covers the molecular composition and organization of intestinal biofilms, mechanistic aspects of biofilm signaling networks for bacterial communication and behavior, and synergistic effects in polymicrobial biofilms. It further describes the clinical relevance and diseases associated with gut biofilms, the role of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance, and the intestinal host defense system and therapeutic strategies counteracting biofilms. Taken together, this review summarizes the latest knowledge and research on intestinal biofilms and their role in gut disorders and provides directions toward the development of biofilm-specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Jandl
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry (DoSChem), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Satish Dighe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christoph Gasche
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Loha for Life, Center for Gastroenterology and Iron Deficiency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Athanasios Makristathis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Zhu L, Yang X, Fu X, Yang P, Lin X, Wang F, Shen Z, Wang J, Sun F, Qiu Z. Pheromone cCF10 inhibits the antibiotic persistence of Enterococcus faecalis by modulating energy metabolism. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1408701. [PMID: 39040910 PMCID: PMC11260814 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1408701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bacterial resistance presents a major challenge to both the ecological environment and human well-being, with persistence playing a key role. Multiple studies were recently undertaken to examine the factors influencing the formation of persisters and the underlying process, with a primary focus on Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria). Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is capable of causing a variety of infectious diseases, but there have been few studies of E. faecalis persisters. Previous studies have shown that the sex pheromone cCF10 secreted by E. faecalis induces conjugative plasmid transfer. However, whether the pheromone cCF10 regulates the persistence of E. faecalis has not been investigated. Methods As a result, we investigated the effect and potential molecular mechanism of pheromone cCF10 in regulating the formation of persisters in E. faecalis OG1RF using a persistent bacteria model. Results and discussion The metabolically active E. faecalis OG1RF reached a persistence state and temporarily tolerated lethal antibiotic concentrations after 8 h of levofloxacin hydrochloride (20 mg/mL) exposure, exhibiting a persistence rate of 0.109 %. During the growth of E. faecalis OG1RF, biofilm formation was a critical factor contributing to antibiotic persistence, whereas 10 ng/mL cCF10 blocked persister cell formation. Notably, cCF10 mediated the antibiotic persistence of E. faecalis OG1RF via regulating metabolic activity rather than suppressing biofilm formation. The addition of cCF10 stimulated the Opp system and entered bacterial cells, inhibiting (p)ppGpp accumulation, thus maintaining the metabolically active state of bacteria and reducing persister cell generation. These findings offer valuable insights into the formation, as well as the control mechanism of E. faecalis persisters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Polytechnic University, Xi’an, China
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyue Fu
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Panpan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xiaoli Lin
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Guizhou, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
- College of Oceanography and Ecological Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Feilong Sun
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Polytechnic University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment and Food Safety, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
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Petersen ME, Hansen LK, Mitkin AA, Kelly NM, Wood TK, Jørgensen NP, Østergaard LJ, Meyer RL. A high-throughput assay identifies molecules with antimicrobial activity against persister cells. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73:001856. [PMID: 38995832 PMCID: PMC11316564 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001856] [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: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Persister cells are transiently non-growing antibiotic-tolerant bacteria that cause infection relapse, and there is no effective antibiotic therapy to tackle these infections.Gap statement. High-throughput assays in drug discovery are biased towards detecting drugs that inhibit bacterial growth rather than killing non-growing bacteria. A new and simple assay to discover such drugs is needed.Aim. This study aims to develop a simple and high-throughput assay to identify compounds with antimicrobial activity against persister cells and use it to identify molecular motifs with such activity.Methodology. We quantified Staphylococcus aureus persister cells by enumeration of colony forming units after 24 h ciprofloxacin treatment. We first quantified how the cell concentration, antibiotic concentration, growth phase and presence/absence of nutrients during antibiotic exposure affected the fraction of persister cells in a population. After optimizing these parameters, we screened the antimicrobial activity of compound fragments to identify molecular structures that have activity against persister cells.Results. Exponential- and stationary-phase cultures transferred to nutrient-rich media displayed a bi-phasic time-kill curve and contained 0.001-0.07% persister cells. A short rifampicin treatment resulted in 100% persister cells for 7 h, after which cells resumed activity and became susceptible. Stationary-phase cultures displayed a low but constant death rate but ultimately resulted in similarly low survival rates as the exponential-phase cultures after 24 h ciprofloxacin treatment. The persister phenotype was only maintained in most of the population for 24 h if cells were transferred to a carbon-free minimal medium before exposure to ciprofloxacin. Keeping cells starved enabled the generation of high concentrations of S. aureus cells that tolerate 50× MIC ciprofloxacin, and we used this protocol for rapid screening for biocidal antibiotics. We identified seven compounds from four structural clusters with activity against antibiotic-tolerant S. aureus. Two compounds were moderately cytotoxic, and the rest were highly cytotoxic.Conclusion. Transferring a stationary-phase culture to a carbon-free minimal medium for antimicrobial testing is a simple strategy for high-throughput screening for new antibiotics that kill persister cells. We identified molecule fragments with such activity, but further screening is needed to identify motifs with lower general cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Liva Kjær Hansen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | - Thomas Keith Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Nis Pedersen Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Lars Jørgen Østergaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Rikke Louise Meyer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Jandl B, Dighe S, Baumgartner M, Makristathis A, Gasche C, Muttenthaler M. Gastrointestinal Biofilms: Endoscopic Detection, Disease Relevance, and Therapeutic Strategies. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)05054-6. [PMID: 38876174 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal biofilms are highly heterogenic and spatially organized polymicrobial communities that can expand and cover large areas in the gastrointestinal tract. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, mucus disruption, and epithelial invasion are associated with pathogenic biofilms that have been linked to gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, gastric cancer, and colon cancer. Intestinal biofilms are highly prevalent in ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome patients, and most endoscopists will have observed such biofilms during colonoscopy, maybe without appreciating their biological and clinical importance. Gut biofilms have a protective extracellular matrix that renders them challenging to treat, and effective therapies are yet to be developed. This review covers gastrointestinal biofilm formation, growth, appearance and detection, biofilm architecture and signalling, human host defence mechanisms, disease and clinical relevance of biofilms, therapeutic approaches, and future perspectives. Critical knowledge gaps and open research questions regarding the biofilm's exact pathophysiological relevance and key hurdles in translating therapeutic advances into the clinic are discussed. Taken together, this review summarizes the status quo in gut biofilm research and provides perspectives and guidance for future research and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Jandl
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; University of Vienna, Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry, Vienna, Austria; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Satish Dighe
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Maximillian Baumgartner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Athanasios Makristathis
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Gasche
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Loha for Life, Center for Gastroenterology and Iron Deficiency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Muttenthaler
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Mishra AK, Thakare RP, Santani BG, Yabaji SM, Dixit SK, Srivastava KK. Unlocking the enigma of phenotypic drug tolerance: Mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies. Biochimie 2024; 220:67-83. [PMID: 38168626 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.12.009] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance, phenotypic drug tolerance poses a formidable challenge. This adaptive ability of microorganisms to withstand drug pressure without genetic alterations further complicating global healthcare challenges. Microbial populations employ an array of persistence mechanisms, including dormancy, biofilm formation, adaptation to intracellular environments, and the adoption of L-forms, to develop drug tolerance. Moreover, molecular mechanisms like toxin-antitoxin modules, oxidative stress responses, energy metabolism, and (p)ppGpp signaling contribute to this phenomenon. Understanding these persistence mechanisms is crucial for predicting drug efficacy, developing strategies for chronic bacterial infections, and exploring innovative therapies for refractory infections. In this comprehensive review, we dissect the intricacies of drug tolerance and persister formation, explore their role in acquired drug resistance, and highlight emerging therapeutic approaches to combat phenotypic drug tolerance. Furthermore, we outline the future landscape of interventions for persistent bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok K Mishra
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India; Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| | - Ritesh P Thakare
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India; Department of Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Bela G Santani
- Department of Microbiology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University (SGBAU), Amravati, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shivraj M Yabaji
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India; National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shivendra K Dixit
- Division of Medicine ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India.
| | - Kishore K Srivastava
- Division of Microbiology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226031, India.
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Tang Z, Feng J, Challa M, Rowthu SR, Xiong S, Zou C, Li J, Verma CS, Peng H, He X, Huang C, He Y. Discovery of novel Thymol-TPP antibiotics that eradicate MRSA persisters. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 270:116381. [PMID: 38604097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116381] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and the formation of non-growing, dormant "persisters" subsets help bacteria evade antibiotic treatment and enhance bacterial resistance, which poses a serious threat to human life and health. It is urgent to discover novel antibacterial therapies effective against MRSA persisters. Thymol is a common nutraceutical with weak antibacterial and antitumor activities. A series of Thymol triphenylphosphine (TPP) conjugates (TPP-Thy3) was designed and synthesized. These compounds showed significantly improved inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared with Thymol. Among them, Thy3d displayed a low probability of resistance selection and showed excellent biocompatibility. Interestingly, Thy3d elicited a rapid killing effect of MRSA persisters (99.999%) at high concentration. Fluorescence experiments, electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulation and bilayer experiment confirmed that Thy3d conjugates exerted potent antimicrobial activity by disrupting the integrity of the membrane of bacterial even the persister. Furthermore, Thy3d exhibited considerable efficacy in a mouse model of subcutaneous murine MRSA infection. In summary, TPP-Thy3 conjugates are a series of novel antibacterial agents and could serve as a new therapeutic strategy for combating antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Tang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Jizhou Feng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Mahesh Challa
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Sankara Rao Rowthu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Shuxin Xiong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Cheng Zou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Jianguo Li
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, 169856, Singapore; Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, 138671, Singapore
| | - Chandra Shekhar Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, 138671, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Haibo Peng
- Chongqing Academy of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401123, China
| | - Xiaoli He
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Chao Huang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China.
| | - Yun He
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China; BayRay Innovation Center, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518132, China.
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Bilgin M, Dosler S, Otuk G. Antibiotic adjuvant activities of quorum sensing signal molecules DSF and BDSF against mature biofilms of Staphylococci. J Chemother 2024; 36:11-23. [PMID: 37873740 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2023.2270743] [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: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Among promising antibiofilm compounds, quorum-sensing (QS) molecules that regulate biological processes such as biofilm formation and intra- or interspecies communication appear to be good candidates. The invitro antibiotic-adjuvant effects of QS molecules diffusible signal factor (DSF) and B. cenocepacia producing-DSF (BDSF) were investigated against mature Staphylococcal biofilms. Broth microdilution methods were used for the determinations of MIC, MBC, MBIC, and MBEC, and bactericidal activities were determined by TKC method. The lowest MICs were obtained with ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, and MBECs with ciprofloxacin. DSF and BDSF at 0.5 µM decreased the MICs as 2-8, and 2-32 fold, respectively. In TKC studies, -cidal activities were achieved by BDSF + gentamycin, or ciprofloxacin, and DSF + daptomycin, vancomycin, meropenem or gentamycin combinations. Synergistic effects were generally obtained with BDSF + gentamicin combinations, followed by DSF + daptomycin against most S. aureus; while BDSF + gentamicin or ciprofloxacin, and DSF + vancomycin or meropenem were synergist against some S. epidermidis biofilms. Also, the antagonist effects were observed with BDSF + meropenem or ciprofloxacin against each MSSE and MSSA. It is estimated that these QS molecules, although it was strain dependent, generally enhanced the antibiotic activity, and would be a new and effective treatment strategy for biofilm control, either alone or as an antibiotic adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Bilgin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Istanbul, Istanbul University, Institute of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Istanbul Health & Technology University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkiye
| | - Sibel Dosler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Istanbul, Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkiye
| | - Gulten Otuk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Istanbul, Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkiye
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Coandă M, Limban C, Nuță DC. Small Schiff Base Molecules-A Possible Strategy to Combat Biofilm-Related Infections. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:75. [PMID: 38247634 PMCID: PMC10812491 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010075] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms participating in the development of biofilms exhibit heightened resistance to antibiotic treatment, therefore infections involving biofilms have become a problem in recent years as they are more difficult to treat. Consequently, research efforts are directed towards identifying novel molecules that not only possess antimicrobial properties but also demonstrate efficacy against biofilms. While numerous investigations have focused on antimicrobial capabilities of Schiff bases, their potential as antibiofilm agents remains largely unexplored. Thus, the objective of this article is to present a comprehensive overview of the existing scientific literature pertaining to small molecules categorized as Schiff bases with antibiofilm properties. The survey involved querying four databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Reaxys). Relevant articles published in the last 10 years were selected and categorized based on the molecular structure into two groups: classical Schiff bases and oximes and hydrazones. Despite the majority of studies indicating a moderate antibiofilm potential of Schiff bases, certain compounds exhibited a noteworthy effect, underscoring the significance of considering this type of molecular modeling when seeking to develop new molecules with antibiofilm effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmen Limban
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Str., 020950 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (D.C.N.)
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Hastings CJ, Keledjian MV, Musselman LP, Marques CNH. Delayed host mortality and immune response upon infection with P. aeruginosa persister cells. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0024623. [PMID: 37732789 PMCID: PMC10580972 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00246-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infections are a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Persister cells are thought to be largely responsible for chronic infection due to their tolerance to antimicrobials and recalcitrance to innate immunity factors. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common and clinically relevant pathogen that contains stereotypical persister cells. Despite their importance in chronic infection, there have been limited efforts to study persister cell infections in vivo. Drosophila melanogaster has a well-described innate immune response similar to that of vertebrates and is a good candidate for the development of an in vivo model of infection for persister cells. Similar to what is observed in other bacterial strains, in this work we found that infection with P. aeruginosa persister cells resulted in a delayed mortality phenotype in Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana, and D. melanogaster compared to infection with regular cells. An in-depth characterization of infected D. melanogaster found that bacterial loads differed between persister and regular cells' infections during the early stages. Furthermore, hemocyte activation and antimicrobial peptide expression were delayed/reduced in persister infections over the same time course, indicating an initial suppression of, or inability to elicit, the fly immune response. Overall, our findings support the use of D. melanogaster as a model in which to study persister cells in vivo, where this bacterial subpopulation exhibits delayed virulence and an attenuated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J. Hastings
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Maya V. Keledjian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | | | - Cláudia N. H. Marques
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
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12
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Pan X, Liu W, Du Q, Zhang H, Han D. Recent Advances in Bacterial Persistence Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14311. [PMID: 37762613 PMCID: PMC10531727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The recurrence of bacterial infectious diseases is closely associated with bacterial persisters. This subpopulation of bacteria can escape antibiotic treatment by entering a metabolic status of low activity through various mechanisms, for example, biofilm, toxin-antitoxin modules, the stringent response, and the SOS response. Correspondingly, multiple new treatments are being developed. However, due to their spontaneous low abundance in populations and the lack of research on in vivo interactions between persisters and the host's immune system, microfluidics, high-throughput sequencing, and microscopy techniques are combined innovatively to explore the mechanisms of persister formation and maintenance at the single-cell level. Here, we outline the main mechanisms of persister formation, and describe the cutting-edge technology for further research. Despite the significant progress regarding study techniques, some challenges remain to be tackled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhou Pan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Wenxin Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Qingqing Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Dingding Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
- Institute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity, and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, China
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13
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Wang C, Jin L. Microbial persisters and host: recent advances and future perspectives. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:658-670. [PMID: 36165023 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2125286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Microbial persisters are defined as the tiny sub-population of microorganisms that develop intrinsic strategies for survival with high tolerance to various antimicrobials. Currently, persister research remains in its infancy, and it is indeed a great challenge to precisely distinguish persister cells from other drug tolerant ones. Notably, the existence of persisters crucially contributes to prolonged antibiotic exposure time and treatment failure, yet there is the formation of antibiotic-resistant mutants. Further understanding on persisters is of profound importance for effective prevention and control of chronic infections/inflammation. The past two decades have witnessed rapid advances on the science, technologies and methodologies for persister investigations, along with deep knowledge about persisters and numerous anti-persister approaches developed. Whereas, various critical issues remain unsolved, such as what are the potential interaction profiles of persisters and host cells, and how to apply what we know about persisters to translational studies and clinical practice. Importantly, it is highly essential to better understand the multifaceted and complex cross-talk of microbial persisters with the host to develop novel tackling strategies for precision healthcare in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Wang
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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14
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Oliveira M, Cunha E, Tavares L, Serrano I. P. aeruginosa interactions with other microbes in biofilms during co-infection. AIMS Microbiol 2023; 9:612-646. [PMID: 38173971 PMCID: PMC10758579 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2023032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the topic of biofilms, including their development and the interaction between different counterparts. There is evidence that various diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, otitis media, diabetic foot wound infections, and certain cancers, are promoted and aggravated by the presence of polymicrobial biofilms. Biofilms are composed by heterogeneous communities of microorganisms protected by a matrix of polysaccharides. The different types of interactions between microorganisms gives rise to an increased resistance to antimicrobials and to the host's defense mechanisms, with the consequent worsening of disease symptoms. Therefore, infections caused by polymicrobial biofilms affecting different human organs and systems will be discussed, as well as the role of the interactions between the gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is at the base of major polymicrobial infections, and other bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the establishment of human infections and diseases. Considering that polymicrobial biofilms are key to bacterial pathogenicity, it is fundamental to evaluate which microbes are involved in a certain disease to convey an appropriate and efficacious antimicrobial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isa Serrano
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
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15
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Zhou Y, Liao H, Pei L, Pu Y. Combatting persister cells: The daunting task in post-antibiotics era. CELL INSIGHT 2023; 2:100104. [PMID: 37304393 PMCID: PMC10250163 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2023.100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the years, much attention has been drawn to antibiotic resistance bacteria, but drug inefficacy caused by a subgroup of special phenotypic variants - persisters - has been largely neglected in both scientific and clinical field. Interestingly, this subgroup of phenotypic variants displayed their power of withstanding sufficient antibiotics exposure in a mechanism different from antibiotic resistance. In this review, we summarized the clinical importance of bacterial persisters, the evolutionary link between resistance, tolerance, and persistence, redundant mechanisms of persister formation as well as methods of studying persister cells. In the light of our recent findings of membrane-less organelle aggresome and its important roles in regulating bacterial dormancy depth, we propose an alternative approach for anti-persister therapy. That is, to force a persister into a deeper dormancy state to become a VBNC (viable but non-culturable) cell that is incapable of regrowth. We hope to provide the latest insights on persister studies and call upon more research interest into this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei- MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Hebin Liao
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei- MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Linsen Pei
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei- MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yingying Pu
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei- MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
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16
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Song W, Ryu J, Jung J, Yu Y, Choi S, Kweon J. Dispersive biofilm from membrane bioreactor strains: effects of diffusible signal factor addition and characterization by dispersion index. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1211761. [PMID: 37560518 PMCID: PMC10409479 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1211761] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Biofilm occurs ubiquitously in water system. Excessive biofilm formation deteriorates severely system performance in several water and wastewater treatment processes. Quorum sensing systems were controlled in this study with a signal compound cis-2-Decenoic acid (CDA) to regulate various functions of microbial communities, including motility, enzyme production, and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production in biofilm. METHODS The addition of CDA to six strains extracted from membrane bioreactor sludge and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain was examined for modulating biofilm development by regulating DSF expression. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION As the CDA doses increased, optical density of the biofilm dispersion assay increased, and the decrease in EPS of the biofilm was obvious on membrane surfaces. The three-dimensional visual images and quantitative analyses of biofilm formation with CDA proved thinner, less massive, and more dispersive than those without; to evaluate its dispersive intensity, a dispersion index was proposed. This could compare the dispersive effects of CDA dosing to other biofilms or efficiencies of biofouling control practices such as backwashing or new cleaning methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonjung Song
- The Academy of Applied Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junhee Ryu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Jung
- HANSU Technical Service Ltd, Sungnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngjae Yu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Suyoung Choi
- The Academy of Applied Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyang Kweon
- Department of Environmental Engineering Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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17
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Urbaniec J, Sanderson-Smith M, McFadden J, Hai FI, Hingley-Wilson SM. Dysregulated NAD(H) homeostasis associated with ciprofloxacin tolerance in Escherichia coli investigated on a single-cell level with the Peredox [NADH:NAD+] biosensor. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1191968. [PMID: 37415820 PMCID: PMC10321300 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1191968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antibiotic persistence (subpopulation tolerance) occurs when a subpopulation of antibiotic sensitive cells survives prolonged exposure to a bactericidal concentration of an antibiotic, and is capable of regrowth once the antibiotic is removed. This phenomenon has been shown to contribute to prolonged treatment duration, infection recurrence, and accelerated development of genetic resistance. Currently, there are no biomarkers which would allow for segregation of these antibiotic-tolerant cells from the bulk population prior to antibiotic exposure, limiting research on this phenomenon to retrograde analyses. However, it has been previously shown that persisters often have a dysregulated intracellular redox homeostasis, warranting its investigation as a potential marker for antibiotic tolerance. Furthermore, it is currently unknown whether another antibiotic tolerant subpopulation - viable but non-culturable cells (VBNCs), are simply persisters with extreme lag phase, or are formed through separate pathways. VBNCs similarly to persisters remain viable following antibiotic exposure, however, are not capable of regrowth in standard conditions. Methods In this article we employed an NADH:NAD+ biosensor (Peredox) to investigate NADH homeostasis of ciprofloxacin-tolerant E. coli cells on a single-cell level. [NADH:NAD+] was used as a proxy for measuring intracellular redox homeostasis and respiration rate. Results and Discussion First, we demonstrated that ciprofloxacin exposure results in a high number of VBNCs, several orders of magnitude higher than persisters. However, we found no correlation in the frequencies of persister and VBNC subpopulations. Ciprofloxacin-tolerant cells (persisters & VBNCs) were actively undergoing respiration, although at a significantly lower rate on average when compared to the bulk population. We also noted significant heterogeneity on a single-cell level within the subpopulations, however were unable to segregate persisters from VBNCs based on these observations alone. Finally, we showed that in the highly-persistent strain of E. coli, E. coli HipQ, ciprofloxacin-tolerant cells have a significantly lower [NADH:NAD+] ratio than tolerant cells of its parental strain, providing further link between disturbed NADH homeostasis and antibiotic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Urbaniec
- Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Martina Sanderson-Smith
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Johnjoe McFadden
- Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Faisal I. Hai
- School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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18
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Gonçalves ASC, Leitão MM, Simões M, Borges A. The action of phytochemicals in biofilm control. Nat Prod Rep 2023; 40:595-627. [PMID: 36537821 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00053a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2009 to 2021Antimicrobial resistance is now rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world, threatening the treatment of an ever-increasing range of infectious diseases. This has becoming a serious public health problem, especially due to the emergence of multidrug-resistance among clinically important bacterial species and their ability to form biofilms. In addition, current anti-infective therapies have low efficacy in the treatment of biofilm-related infections, leading to recurrence, chronicity, and increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to search for innovative strategies/antibacterial agents capable of overcoming the limitations of conventional antibiotics. Natural compounds, in particular those obtained from plants, have been exhibiting promising properties in this field. Plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) can act as antibiofilm agents through different mechanisms of action from the available antibiotics (inhibition of quorum-sensing, motility, adhesion, and reactive oxygen species production, among others). The combination of different phytochemicals and antibiotics have revealed synergistic or additive effects in biofilm control. This review aims to bring together the most relevant reports on the antibiofilm properties of phytochemicals, as well as insights into their structure and mechanistic action against bacterial pathogens, spanning December 2008 to December 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana S C Gonçalves
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Leitão
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Simões
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Borges
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Lv B, Huang X, Lijia C, Ma Y, Bian M, Li Z, Duan J, Zhou F, Yang B, Qie X, Song Y, Wood TK, Fu X. Heat shock potentiates aminoglycosides against gram-negative bacteria by enhancing antibiotic uptake, protein aggregation, and ROS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217254120. [PMID: 36917671 PMCID: PMC10041086 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217254120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The potentiation of antibiotics is a promising strategy for combatting antibiotic-resistant/tolerant bacteria. Herein, we report that a 5-min sublethal heat shock enhances the bactericidal actions of aminoglycoside antibiotics by six orders of magnitude against both exponential- and stationary-phase Escherichia coli. This combined treatment also effectively kills various E. coli persisters, E. coli clinical isolates, and numerous gram-negative but not gram-positive bacteria and enables aminoglycosides at 5% of minimum inhibitory concentrations to eradicate multidrug-resistant pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mechanistically, the potentiation is achieved comprehensively by heat shock-enhanced proton motive force that thus promotes the bacterial uptake of aminoglycosides, as well as by increasing irreversible protein aggregation and reactive oxygen species that further augment the downstream lethality of aminoglycosides. Consistently, protonophores, chemical chaperones, antioxidants, and anaerobic culturing abolish heat shock-enhanced aminoglycoside lethality. We also demonstrate as a proof of concept that infrared irradiation- or photothermal nanosphere-induced thermal treatments potentiate aminoglycoside killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a mouse acute skin wound model. Our study advances the understanding of the mechanism of actions of aminoglycosides and demonstrates a high potential for thermal ablation in curing bacterial infections when combined with aminoglycosides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Lv
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
| | - Xuebing Huang
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
| | - Chenchen Lijia
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
| | - Yuelong Ma
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
| | - Mengmeng Bian
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
| | - Zhongyan Li
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
| | - Juan Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou City350122, China
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen City518055, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou350122, China
| | - Xingwang Qie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou215163, China
| | - Yizhi Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou215163, China
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802-4400
| | - Xinmiao Fu
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
- Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microbiology of Ministry of Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City350117, China
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20
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Hastings CJ, Himmler GE, Patel A, Marques CNH. Immune Response Modulation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Persister Cells. mBio 2023; 14:e0005623. [PMID: 36920189 PMCID: PMC10128020 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00056-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial persister cells-a metabolically dormant subpopulation tolerant to antimicrobials-contribute to chronic infections and are thought to evade host immunity. In this work, we studied the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells to withstand host innate immunity. We found that persister cells resist MAC-mediated killing by the complement system despite being bound by complement protein C3b at levels similar to regular vegetative cells, in part due to reduced bound C5b, and are engulfed at a lower rate (10- to 100-fold), even following opsonization. Once engulfed, persister cells resist killing and, contrary to regular vegetative cells which induce a M1 favored (CD80+/CD86+/CD206-, high levels of CXCL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α) macrophage polarization, they initially induce a M2 favored macrophage polarization (CD80+/CD86+/CD206+, high levels of IL-10, and intermediate levels of CXCL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α), which is skewed toward M1 favored polarization (high levels of CXCL-8 and IL-6, lower levels of IL-10) by 24 h of infection, once persister cells awaken. Overall, our findings further establish the ability of persister cells to evade the innate host response and to contribute chronic infections. IMPORTANCE Bacterial cells have a subpopulation-persister cells-that have a low metabolism. Persister cells survive antimicrobial treatment and can regrow to cause chronic and recurrent infections. Currently little is known as to whether the human immune system recognizes and responds to the presence of persister cells. In this work, we studied the ability of persister cells from Pseudomonas aeruginosa to resist the host defense system (innate immunity). We found that this subpopulation is recognized by the defense system, but it is not killed. The lack of killing likely stems from hindering the immune response regulation, resulting in a failure to distinguish whether a pathogen is present. Findings from this work increase the overall knowledge as to how chronic infections are resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody James Hastings
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Grace Elizabeth Himmler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Arpeet Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Cláudia Nogueira Hora Marques
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
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21
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Fan L, Pan Z, Liao X, Zhong Y, Guo J, Pang R, Chen X, Ye G, Su Y. Uracil restores susceptibility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to aminoglycosides through metabolic reprogramming. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1133685. [PMID: 36762116 PMCID: PMC9902350 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1133685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has now become a major nosocomial pathogen bacteria and resistant to many antibiotics. Therefore, Development of novel approaches to combat the disease is especially important. The present study aimed to provide a novel approach involving the use of nucleotide-mediated metabolic reprogramming to tackle intractable methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections. Objective: This study aims to explore the bacterial effects and mechanism of uracil and gentamicin in S. aureus. Methods: Antibiotic bactericidal assays was used to determine the synergistic bactericidal effect of uracil and gentamicin. How did uracil regulate bacterial metabolism including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by GC-MS-based metabolomics. Next, genes and activity of key enzymes in the TCA cycle, PMF, and intracellular aminoglycosides were measured. Finally, bacterial respiration, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ATP levels were also assayed in this study. Results: In the present study, we found that uracil could synergize with aminoglycosides to kill MRSA (USA300) by 400-fold. Reprogramming metabolomics displayed uracil reprogrammed bacterial metabolism, especially enhanced the TCA cycle to elevate NADH production and proton motive force, thereby promoting the uptake of antibiotics. Furthermore, uracil increased cellular respiration and ATP production, resulting the generation of ROS. Thus, the combined activity of uracil and antibiotics induced bacterial death. Inhibition of the TCA cycle or ROS production could attenuate bactericidal efficiency. Moreover, uracil exhibited bactericidal activity in cooperation with aminoglycosides against other pathogenic bacteria. In a mouse mode of MRSA infection, the combination of gentamicin and uracil increased the survival rate of infected mice. Conclusion: Our results suggest that uracil enhances the activity of bactericidal antibiotics to kill Gram-positive bacteria by modulating bacterial metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvyuan Fan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyu Pan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Liao
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, and Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China
| | - Yilin Zhong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Guo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhai Chen
- Institute of Infectious Diseases Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guozhu Ye
- Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, and Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China,*Correspondence: Yubin Su, ; Guozhu Ye,
| | - Yubin Su
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Yubin Su, ; Guozhu Ye,
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22
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Essential Oil from Coriandrum sativum: A review on Its Phytochemistry and Biological Activity. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020696. [PMID: 36677754 PMCID: PMC9864992 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Essential oils are hydrophobic liquids produced as secondary metabolites by specialized secretory tissues in the leaves, seeds, flowers, bark and wood of the plant, and they play an important ecological role in plants. Essential oils have been used in various traditional healing systems due to their pharmaceutical properties, and are reported to be a suitable replacement for chemical and synthetic drugs that come with adverse side effects. Thus, currently, various plant sources for essential oil production have been explored. Coriander essential oil, obtained from the leaf and seed oil of Coriandrum sativum, has been reported to have various biological activities. Apart from its application in food preservation, the oil has many pharmacological properties, including allelopathic properties. The present review discusses the phytochemical composition of the seed and leaf oil of coriander and the variation of the essential oil across various germplasms, accessions, at different growth stages and across various regions. Furthermore, the study explores various extraction and quantification methods for coriander essential oils. The study also provides detailed information on various pharmacological properties of essential oils, such as antimicrobial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, allelopathic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, and hepatoprotective properties, as well as playing a major role in maintaining good digestive health. Coriander essential oil is one of the most promising alternatives in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
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23
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Hastings CJ, Himmler GE, Patel A, Marques CNH. Immune response modulation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.07.523056. [PMID: 36711557 PMCID: PMC9881899 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.07.523056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial persister cells - a metabolically dormant subpopulation tolerant to antimicrobials - contribute to chronic infections and are thought to evade host immunity. In this work, we studied the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells to withstand host innate immunity. We found that persister cells resist MAC-mediated killing by the complement system despite being bound by complement protein C3b at levels similar to regular vegetative cells, in part due to reduced bound C5b - and are engulfed at a lower rate (10-100 fold), even following opsonization. Once engulfed, persister cells resist killing and, contrary to regular vegetative cells which induce a M1 favored (CD80+/CD86+/CD206-, high levels of CXCL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α) macrophage polarization, they initially induce a M2 favored macrophage polarization (CD80+/CD86+/CD206+, high levels of IL-10, and intermediate levels of CXCL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α), which is skewed towards M1 favored polarization (high levels of CXCL-8 and IL-6, lower levels of IL-10) by 24 hours of infection, once persister cells awaken. Overall, our findings further establish the ability of persister cells to evade the innate host response and to contribute chronic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody James Hastings
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
| | - Grace Elizabeth Himmler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
| | - Arpeet Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
| | - Cláudia Nogueira Hora Marques
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
- Binghamton Biofilm Research Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902
- Corresponding author:
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24
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Sulaiman JE, Long L, Qian PY, Lam H. Proteomics and Transcriptomics Uncover Key Processes for Elasnin Tolerance in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. mSystems 2022; 7:e0139321. [PMID: 35076266 PMCID: PMC8788329 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01393-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Elasnin is a new antibiofilm compound that was recently reported to have excellent activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms. In this study, we established that elasnin also has antibacterial activity against growing S. aureus planktonic cells. To explore elasnin's potential as an antibiotic, we applied adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) and produced evolved strains with elevated elasnin tolerance. Interestingly, they were more sensitive toward daptomycin and lysostaphin. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that all of the evolved strains possessed a single point mutation in a putative phosphate transport regulator. Subsequently, they exhibited increased intracellular phosphate (Pi) and polyphosphate levels. Inhibition of the phosphate transport regulator gene changed the phenotype of the wild type to one resembling those observed in the evolved strains. Proteomics and transcriptomics analyses showed that elasnin treatment resulted in the downregulation of many proteins related to cell division and cell wall synthesis, which is important for the survival of growing exponential-phase cells. Other downregulated processes and factors were fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis, the two-component system, RNA degradation, and ribosomal proteins. Most importantly, transport proteins and proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and the phosphotransferase system were more upregulated in the evolved strain than in the ancestral strain, indicating that they are important for elasnin tolerance. Overall, this study showed that elasnin has antibacterial activity against growing S. aureus cells and revealed the altered processes due to elasnin treatment and those associated with its tolerance. IMPORTANCE Besides the excellent antibiofilm properties of elasnin, we discovered that it can also kill growing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) planktonic cells. We subjected MRSA cells to an in vitro evolution experiment, and the resulting evolved strains exhibited increased elasnin tolerance, reduced growth rate, loss of pigmentation, and an increased proportion of small-colony formation, and they became more sensitive toward daptomycin and lysostaphin. Through multiomics analysis, we uncovered the affected processes in growing S. aureus planktonic cells following elasnin treatment, including the downregulation of cell wall synthesis, cell division, and some genes/proteins for the two-component system. These findings suggest that elasnin suppressed processes important for the cells' survival and adaptation to environmental stresses, making it an ideal drug adjuvant candidate. Overall, our study provides new insights into the mechanism of elasnin in S. aureus planktonic cells and pointed out the potential application of elasnin in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordy Evan Sulaiman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lexin Long
- Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pei-Yuan Qian
- Department of Ocean Science and Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Henry Lam
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
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25
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Lv B, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Li Z, Xu Z, Wang Y, Gao Y, Chen Y, Fu X. Mechanosensitive Channels Mediate Hypoionic Shock-Induced Aminoglycoside Potentiation against Bacterial Persisters by Enhancing Antibiotic Uptake. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0112521. [PMID: 34902270 PMCID: PMC8846477 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01125-21] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving the efficacy of existing antibiotics is a promising strategy for combating antibiotic-resistant/tolerant bacterial pathogens that have become a severe threat to human health. We previously reported that aminoglycoside antibiotics could be dramatically potentiated against stationary-phase Escherichia coli cells under hypoionic shock conditions (i.e., treatment with ion-free solutions), but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that mechanosensitive (MS) channels, a ubiquitous protein family sensing mechanical forces of cell membrane, mediate such hypoionic shock-induced aminoglycoside potentiation. Two-minute treatment under conditions of hypoionic shock (e.g., in pure water) greatly enhances the bactericidal effects of aminoglycosides against both spontaneous and triggered E. coli persisters, numerous strains of Gram-negative pathogens in vitro, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice. Such potentiation is achieved by hypoionic shock-enhanced bacterial uptake of aminoglycosides and is linked to hypoionic shock-induced destabilization of the cytoplasmic membrane in E. coli. Genetic and biochemical analyses reveal that MscS-family channels directly and redundantly mediate aminoglycoside uptake upon hypoionic shock and thus potentiation, with MscL channel showing reduced effect. Molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis analyses reveal a putative streptomycin-binding pocket in MscS, critical for streptomycin uptake and potentiation. These results suggest that hypoionic shock treatment destabilizes the cytoplasmic membrane and thus changes the membrane tension, which immediately activates MS channels that are able to effectively transport aminoglycosides into the cytoplasm for downstream killing. Our findings reveal the biological effects of hypoionic shock on bacteria and can help to develop novel adjuvants for aminoglycoside potentiation to combat bacterial pathogens via activating MS channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Lv
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Youhui Zeng
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Huaidong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microbiology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhongyan Li
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Zhaorong Xu
- Fujian Burn Institute, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
- Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microbiology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yajuan Chen
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xinmiao Fu
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
- Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microbiology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
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26
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Lv B, Bian M, Huang X, Sun F, Gao Y, Wang Y, Fu Y, Yang B, Fu X. n-Butanol Potentiates Subinhibitory Aminoglycosides against Bacterial Persisters and Multidrug-Resistant MRSA by Rapidly Enhancing Antibiotic Uptake. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:373-386. [PMID: 35100802 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Potentiation of traditional antibiotics is of significance for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria that have become a severe threat to human and animal health. Here, we report that 1 min co-treatment with n-butanol greatly and specifically enhances the bactericidal action of aminoglycosides by 5 orders of magnitude against stationary-phase Staphylococcus aureus cells, with n-propanol and isobutanol showing less potency. This combined treatment also rapidly kills various S. aureus persisters, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) cells, and numerous Gram-positive and -negative pathogens including some clinically isolated multidrug-resistant pathogens (e.g., S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecalis) in vitro, as well as S. aureus in mice. Mechanistically, the potentiation results from the actions of aminoglycosides on their conventional target ribosome rather than the antiseptic effect of n-butanol and is achieved by rapidly enhancing the bacterial uptake of aminoglycosides, while salts and inhibitors of proton motive force (e.g., CCCP) can diminish this uptake. Importantly, such n-butanol-enhanced antibiotic uptake even enables subinhibitory concentrations of aminoglycosides to rapidly kill both MRSA and conventional S. aureus cells. Given n-butanol is a non-metabolite in the pathogens we tested, our work may open avenues to develop a metabolite-independent strategy for aminoglycoside potentiation to rapidly eliminate antibiotic-resistant/tolerant pathogens, as well as for reducing the toxicity associated with aminoglycoside use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Lv
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Mengmeng Bian
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Xuebing Huang
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Fengqi Sun
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Yajuan Fu
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province 350117, China
| | - Xinmiao Fu
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province 350117, China
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27
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Biswas L, Götz F. Molecular Mechanisms of Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas Interactions in Cystic Fibrosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:824042. [PMID: 35071057 PMCID: PMC8770549 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.824042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that is characterized by recurrent and chronic infections of the lung predominantly by the opportunistic pathogens, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While S. aureus is the main colonizing bacteria of the CF lungs during infancy and early childhood, its incidence declines thereafter and infections by P. aeruginosa become more prominent with increasing age. The competitive and cooperative interactions exhibited by these two pathogens influence their survival, antibiotic susceptibility, persistence and, consequently the disease progression. For instance, P. aeruginosa secretes small respiratory inhibitors like hydrogen cyanide, pyocyanin and quinoline N-oxides that block the electron transport pathway and suppress the growth of S. aureus. However, S. aureus survives this respiratory attack by adapting to respiration-defective small colony variant (SCV) phenotype. SCVs cause persistent and recurrent infections and are also resistant to antibiotics, especially aminoglycosides, antifolate antibiotics, and to host antimicrobial peptides such as LL-37, human β-defensin (HBD) 2 and HBD3; and lactoferricin B. The interaction between P. aeruginosa and S. aureus is multifaceted. In mucoid P. aeruginosa strains, siderophores and rhamnolipids are downregulated thus enhancing the survival of S. aureus. Conversely, protein A from S. aureus inhibits P. aeruginosa biofilm formation while protecting both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus from phagocytosis by neutrophils. This review attempts to summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the competitive and cooperative interactions between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in the CF lungs that could influence the disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalitha Biswas
- Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, India
| | - Friedrich Götz
- Microbial Genetics, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen (IMIT), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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28
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Urbaniec J, Xu Y, Hu Y, Hingley-Wilson S, McFadden J. Phenotypic heterogeneity in persisters: a novel 'hunker' theory of persistence. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:fuab042. [PMID: 34355746 PMCID: PMC8767447 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence has been linked to treatment failure since its discovery over 70 years ago and understanding formation, nature and survival of this key antibiotic refractory subpopulation is crucial to enhancing treatment success and combatting the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The term 'persistence' is often used interchangeably with other terms such as tolerance or dormancy. In this review we focus on 'antibiotic persistence' which we broadly define as a feature of a subpopulation of bacterial cells that possesses the non-heritable character of surviving exposure to one or more antibiotics; and persisters as cells that possess this characteristic. We discuss novel molecular mechanisms involved in persister cell formation, as well as environmental factors which can contribute to increased antibiotic persistence in vivo, highlighting recent developments advanced by single-cell studies. We also aim to provide a comprehensive model of persistence, the 'hunker' theory which is grounded in intrinsic heterogeneity of bacterial populations and a myriad of 'hunkering down' mechanisms which can contribute to antibiotic survival of the persister subpopulation. Finally, we discuss antibiotic persistence as a 'stepping-stone' to AMR and stress the urgent need to develop effective anti-persister treatment regimes to treat this highly clinically relevant bacterial sub-population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Urbaniec
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| | - Ye Xu
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| | - Y Hu
- Farnborough Sensonic limited, Farnborough road, GU14 7NA, UK
| | - S Hingley-Wilson
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
| | - J McFadden
- Department of Microbial Sciences and University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
- Quantum biology doctoral training centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU27XH, UK
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29
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Gerayelou G, Khameneh B, Malaekeh-Nikouei B, Mahmoudi A, Fazly Bazzaz BS. Dual Antibiotic and Diffusible Signal Factor Combination Nanoliposomes for Combating Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm. Adv Pharm Bull 2021; 11:684-692. [PMID: 34888215 PMCID: PMC8642808 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2021.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Microbial biofilms are one of the main causes of persistent human infections. Encapsulation of an antibiotic and a biofilm dispersal agent within a nano-carrier has been recognized as a novel approach to combat the problem of biofilm-related infections. Here, we develop the nanoliposomal formulation for delivery of vancomycin in combination with cis-2- decenoic acid (C2DA), to Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm. The effects of the formulations were studied at two stages: biofilm growth inhabitation and biofilm eradication. Methods: Liposomal formulations were prepared by the solvent evaporation dehydration-rehydration method and were evaluated for size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficacy. The ability of different agents in free and encapsulated forms were assessed to evaluate the anti-biofilm activities. Results: Vancomycin and C2DA were successfully co-encapsulated in the same nanoliposome (liposomal combination). The zeta potential values of the liposomal formulations of vancomycin, C2DA, and the liposomal combination were 37.2, 40.2, 51.5 mV, and the mean sizes of these liposomal formulations were 167.8±1.5, 215.5±8.8, 235.5±0.01, respectively. Encapsulation efficacy of C2DA was 65% and about 40% for vancomycin. The results indicated that liposomal combination exerted strong anti-biofilm activities, slightly exceeding those observed by the free form of a combination of vancomycin and C2DA, but higher than either agent used alone in their free forms. The anti-biofilm activity of formulations followed concentration and time-dependent manner. Conclusion: The combination of vancomycin and C2DA could inhibit biofilm formation. Employing the liposomal combination is a considerable method to remove bacterial biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golara Gerayelou
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bahman Khameneh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Control, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bizhan Malaekeh-Nikouei
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Asma Mahmoudi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bibi Sedigheh Fazly Bazzaz
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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30
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Schrank CL, Wilt IK, Monteagudo Ortiz C, Haney BA, Wuest WM. Using membrane perturbing small molecules to target chronic persistent infections. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1312-1324. [PMID: 34458737 PMCID: PMC8372208 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00151e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
After antibiotic treatment, a subpopulation of bacteria often remains and can lead to recalcitrant infections. This subpopulation, referred to as persisters, evades antibiotic treatment through numerous mechanisms such as decreased uptake of small molecules and slowed growth. Membrane perturbing small molecules have been shown to eradicate persisters as well as render these populations susceptible to antibiotic treatment. Chemotype similarities have emerged suggesting amphiphilic heteroaromatic compounds possess ideal properties to increase membrane fluidity and such molecules warrant further investigation as effective agents or potentiators against persister cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingrid K Wilt
- Department of Chemistry Emory University Atlanta GA 30322 USA
| | | | | | - William M Wuest
- Department of Chemistry Emory University Atlanta GA 30322 USA
- Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta GA 30322 USA
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31
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Harrison ZL, Awais R, Harris M, Raji B, Hoffman BC, Baker DL, Jennings JA. 2-Heptylcyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Disperses and Inhibits Bacterial Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:645180. [PMID: 34177826 PMCID: PMC8221421 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.645180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty-acid signaling molecules can inhibit biofilm formation, signal dispersal events, and revert dormant cells within biofilms to a metabolically active state. We synthesized 2-heptylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (2CP), an analog of cis-2-decenoic acid (C2DA), which contains a cyclopropanated bond that may lock the signaling factor in an active state and prevent isomerization to its least active trans-configuration (T2DA). 2CP was compared to C2DA and T2DA for ability to disperse biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 2CP at 125 μg/ml dispersed approximately 100% of S. aureus cells compared to 25% for C2DA; both 2CP and C2DA had significantly less S. aureus biofilm remaining compared to T2DA, which achieved no significant dispersal. 2CP at 125 μg/ml dispersed approximately 60% of P. aeruginosa biofilms, whereas C2DA and T2DA at the same concentration dispersed 40%. When combined with antibiotics tobramycin, tetracycline, or levofloxacin, 2CP decreased the minimum concentration required for biofilm inhibition and eradication, demonstrating synergistic and additive responses for certain combinations. Furthermore, 2CP supported fibroblast viability above 80% for concentrations below 1 mg/ml. This study demonstrates that 2CP shows similar or improved efficacy in biofilm dispersion, inhibition, and eradication compared to C2DA and T2DA and thus may be promising for use in preventing infection for healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe L Harrison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Rukhsana Awais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Michael Harris
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Babatunde Raji
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Brian C Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel L Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
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Srivastava A, Pati S, Kaushik H, Singh S, Garg LC. Toxin-antitoxin systems and their medical applications: current status and future perspective. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:1803-1821. [PMID: 33582835 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11134-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Almost all bacteria synthesize two types of toxins-one for its survival by regulating different cellular processes and another as a strategy to interact with host cells for pathogenesis. Usually, "bacterial toxins" are contemplated as virulence factors that harm the host organism. However, toxins produced by bacteria, as a survival strategy against the host, also hamper its cellular processes. To overcome this, the bacteria have evolved with the production of a molecule, referred to as antitoxin, to negate the deleterious effect of the toxin against itself. The toxin and antitoxins are encoded by a two-component toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. The antitoxin, a protein or RNA, sequesters the toxins of the TA system for neutralization within the bacterial cell. In this review, we have described different TA systems of bacteria and their potential medical and biotechnological applications. It is of interest to note that while bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems have been well studied, the TA system in unicellular eukaryotes, though predicted by the investigators, have never been paid the desired attention. In the present review, we have also touched upon the TA system of eukaryotes identified to date. KEY POINTS: Bacterial toxins harm the host and also affect the bacterial cellular processes. The antitoxin produced by bacteria protect it from the toxin's harmful effects. The toxin-antitoxin systems can be targeted for various medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akriti Srivastava
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201314, India
| | - Soumya Pati
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201314, India
| | - Himani Kaushik
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Lalit C Garg
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Jin X, Zhou J, Richey G, Wang M, Hong SMC, Hong SH. Undecanoic Acid, Lauric Acid, and N-Tridecanoic Acid Inhibit Escherichia coli Persistence and Biofilm Formation. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 31:130-136. [PMID: 33046677 PMCID: PMC8513074 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2008.08027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Persister cell formation and biofilms of pathogens are extensively involved in the development of chronic infectious diseases. Eradicating persister cells is challenging, owing to their tolerance to conventional antibiotics, which cannot kill cells in a metabolically dormant state. A high frequency of persisters in biofilms makes inactivating biofilm cells more difficult, because the biofilm matrix inhibits antibiotic penetration. Fatty acids may be promising candidates as antipersister or antibiofilm agents, because some fatty acids exhibit antimicrobial effects. We previously reported that fatty acid ethyl esters effectively inhibit Escherichia coli persister formation by regulating an antitoxin. In this study, we screened a fatty acid library consisting of 65 different fatty acid molecules for altered persister formation. We found that undecanoic acid, lauric acid, and N-tridecanoic acid inhibited E. coli BW25113 persister cell formation by 25-, 58-, and 44-fold, respectively. Similarly, these fatty acids repressed persisters of enterohemorrhagic E. coli EDL933. These fatty acids were all medium-chain saturated forms. Furthermore, the fatty acids repressed Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) biofilm formation (for example, by 8-fold for lauric acid) without having antimicrobial activity. This study demonstrates that medium-chain saturated fatty acids can serve as antipersister and antibiofilm agents that may be applied to treat bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Jin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Jiacheng Zhou
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Gabriella Richey
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Mengya Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Sung Min Choi Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Seok Hoon Hong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
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Lacerna NM, Ramones CMV, Robes JMD, Picart MRD, Tun JO, Miller BW, Haygood MG, Schmidt EW, Salvador-Reyes LA, Concepcion GP. Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Modified Oxylipins from the Shipworm Symbiont Teredinibacter turnerae. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18120656. [PMID: 33419303 PMCID: PMC7766104 DOI: 10.3390/md18120656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The bioactivity-guided purification of the culture broth of the shipworm endosymbiont Teredinibacter turnerae strain 991H.S.0a.06 yielded a new fatty acid, turneroic acid (1), and two previously described oxylipins (2–3). Turneroic acid (1) is an 18-carbon fatty acid decorated by a hydroxy group and an epoxide ring. Compounds 1–3 inhibited bacterial biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis, while only 3 showed antimicrobial activity against planktonic S. epidermidis. Comparison of the bioactivity of 1–3 with structurally related compounds indicated the importance of the epoxide moiety for selective and potent biofilm inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noel M. Lacerna
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Cydee Marie V. Ramones
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Jose Miguel D. Robes
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Myra Ruth D. Picart
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Jortan O. Tun
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Bailey W. Miller
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (B.W.M.); (M.G.H.); (E.W.S.)
| | - Margo G. Haygood
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (B.W.M.); (M.G.H.); (E.W.S.)
| | - Eric W. Schmidt
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; (B.W.M.); (M.G.H.); (E.W.S.)
| | - Lilibeth A. Salvador-Reyes
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
| | - Gisela P. Concepcion
- The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (N.M.I.II); (C.M.V.R.); (J.M.D.R.); (M.R.D.P.); (J.O.T.); (L.A.S.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +632-8275-2877
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Huemer M, Mairpady Shambat S, Brugger SD, Zinkernagel AS. Antibiotic resistance and persistence-Implications for human health and treatment perspectives. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e51034. [PMID: 33400359 PMCID: PMC7726816 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and persistence are associated with an elevated risk of treatment failure and relapsing infections. They are thus important drivers of increased morbidity and mortality rates resulting in growing healthcare costs. Antibiotic resistance is readily identifiable with standard microbiological assays, and the threat imposed by antibiotic resistance has been well recognized. Measures aiming to reduce resistance development and spreading of resistant bacteria are being enforced. However, the phenomenon of bacteria surviving antibiotic exposure despite being fully susceptible, so-called antibiotic persistence, is still largely underestimated. In contrast to antibiotic resistance, antibiotic persistence is difficult to measure and therefore often missed, potentially leading to treatment failures. In this review, we focus on bacterial mechanisms allowing evasion of antibiotic killing and discuss their implications on human health. We describe the relationship between antibiotic persistence and bacterial heterogeneity and discuss recent studies that link bacterial persistence and tolerance with the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Finally, we review persister detection methods, novel strategies aiming at eradicating bacterial persisters and the latest advances in the development of new antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Huemer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Srikanth Mairpady Shambat
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Silvio D Brugger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Annelies S Zinkernagel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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36
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Abstract
Many bacterial pathogens can permanently colonize their host and establish either chronic or recurrent infections that the immune system and antimicrobial therapies fail to eradicate. Antibiotic persisters (persister cells) are believed to be among the factors that make these infections challenging. Persisters are subpopulations of bacteria which survive treatment with bactericidal antibiotics in otherwise antibiotic-sensitive cultures and were extensively studied in a hope to discover the mechanisms that cause treatment failures in chronically infected patients; however, most of these studies were conducted in the test tube. Research into antibiotic persistence has uncovered large intrapopulation heterogeneity of bacterial growth and regrowth but has not identified essential, dedicated molecular mechanisms of antibiotic persistence. Diverse factors and stresses that inhibit bacterial growth reduce killing of the bulk population and may also increase the persister subpopulation, implying that an array of mechanisms are present. Hopefully, further studies under conditions that simulate the key aspects of persistent infections will lead to identifying target mechanisms for effective therapeutic solutions.
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Meyer KJ, Taylor HB, Seidel J, Gates MF, Lewis K. Pulse Dosing of Antibiotic Enhances Killing of a Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:596227. [PMID: 33240251 PMCID: PMC7680849 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.596227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are highly tolerant to antibiotics and underlie the recalcitrance of many chronic infections. We demonstrate that mature Staphylococcus aureus biofilms can be substantially sensitized to the treatment by pulse dosing of an antibiotic – in this case, oxacillin. Pulse (periodic) dosing was compared to continuous application of antibiotic and was studied in a novel in vitro flow system which allowed for robust biofilm growth and tractable pharmacokinetics of dosing regimens. Our results highlight that a subpopulation of the biofilm survives antibiotic without becoming resistant, a population we refer to as persister bacteria. When oxacillin was continuously present the persister level did not decline, but, importantly, providing correctly timed periodic breaks decreased the surviving population. We found that the length of the periodic break impacted efficacy, and there was an optimal length that sensitized the biofilm to repeat treatment without allowing resistance expansion. Periodic dosing provides a potential simple solution to a complicated problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten J Meyer
- Department of Biology, Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hannah B Taylor
- Department of Biology, Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jazlyn Seidel
- Department of Biology, Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael F Gates
- Department of Biology, Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kim Lewis
- Department of Biology, Antimicrobial Discovery Center, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
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38
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Investigating the effects of nisin and free fatty acid combined treatment on Listeria monocytogenes inactivation. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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39
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Chen H, Green A, Martz K, Wu X, Alzahrani A, Warriner K. The progress of type II persisters of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to a non-culturable state during prolonged exposure to antibiotic stress with revival being aided through acid-shock treatment and provision of methyl pyruvate. Can J Microbiol 2020; 67:518-528. [PMID: 33125853 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2020-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Persisters are a form of dormancy in bacteria that provide temporary resistance to antibiotics. The following reports on the formation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 E318 type II persisters from a protracted (8 days) challenge with ampicillin. Escherichia coli O157:H7 followed a multiphasic die-off pattern with an initial rapid decline (Phase I) of susceptible cells that transitioned to a slower rate representing tolerant cells (Phase II). After 24 h post-antibiotic challenge, the E. coli O157:H7 levels remained relatively constant at 2 log CFU/mL (Phase III), but became non-culturable within 8-days (Phase IV). The revival of persisters in Phase III could be achieved by the removal of antibiotic stress, although those in Phase IV required an extended incubation period or application of acid-shock. The carbon utilization profile of persister cells was less diverse compared with non-persisters, with only methyl pyruvate being utilized from the range tested. Inclusion of methyl pyruvate in tryptic soy agar revived non-cultural persisters, presumably by stimulating metabolism. The results suggest that persisters could be subdivided into culturable or non-culturable cells, with the former representing a transition state to the latter. The study provided insights into how to revive cells from dormancy to aid enumeration and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Chen
- Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Green
- Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kailey Martz
- Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xueyang Wu
- Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdulhakeem Alzahrani
- Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Keith Warriner
- Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Center of Public Health and Zoonosis, Department of Food Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Wang M, Chan EWC, Yang C, Chen K, So PK, Chen S. N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine Acts as Adjuvant that Re-Sensitizes Starvation-Induced Antibiotic-Tolerant Population of E. Coli to β-Lactam. iScience 2020; 23:101740. [PMID: 33225246 PMCID: PMC7662850 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial tolerance to antibiotics causes reduction in efficacy in antimicrobial treatment of chronic and recurrent infections. Nutrient availability is one major factor that determines the degree of phenotypic antibiotic tolerance. In an attempt to test if specific nutrients can reverse phenotypic tolerance, we identified N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) as a potent tolerance-suppressing agent and showed that it could strongly re-sensitize a tolerant population of E. coli to ampicillin. Such re-sensitization effect was attributable to two physiology-modulating effects of GlcNAc. First, uptake of GlcNAc by the tolerant population triggers formation of the peptidoglycan precursor UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) and subsequently re-activates the peptidoglycan biosynthesis process, rendering the organism susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics. Second, activation of glycolysis by-products of GlcNAc catabolism drives the re-sensitization process. Our findings imply that GlcNAc may serve as a non-toxic β-lactam adjuvant that enhances the efficacy of treatment of otherwise hard-to-treat bacterial infections due to phenotypic antibiotic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Wang
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Edward Wai Chi Chan
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Chen Yang
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kaichao Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Pui-kin So
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sheng Chen
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Corresponding author
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Oriano M, Zorzetto L, Guagliano G, Bertoglio F, van Uden S, Visai L, Petrini P. The Open Challenge of in vitro Modeling Complex and Multi-Microbial Communities in Three-Dimensional Niches. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:539319. [PMID: 33195112 PMCID: PMC7606986 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.539319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of the interactions within microbial communities represents a major challenge to be faced to control their outcome. Joint efforts of in vitro, in vivo and ecological models are crucial to controlling human health, including chronic infections. In a broader perspective, considering that polymicrobial communities are ubiquitous in nature, the understanding of these mechanisms is the groundwork to control and modulate bacterial response to any environmental condition. The reduction of the complex nature of communities of microorganisms to a single bacterial strain could not suffice to recapitulate the in vivo situation observed in mammals. Furthermore, some bacteria can adapt to various physiological or arduous environments embedding themselves in three-dimensional matrices, secluding from the external environment. Considering the increasing awareness that dynamic complex and dynamic population of microorganisms (microbiota), inhabiting different apparatuses, regulate different health states and protect against pathogen infections in a fragile and dynamic equilibrium, we underline the need to produce models to mimic the three-dimensional niches in which bacteria, and microorganisms in general, self-organize within a microbial consortium, strive and compete. This review mainly focuses, as a case study, to lung pathology-related dysbiosis and life-threatening diseases such as cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, where the co-presence of different bacteria and the altered 3D-environment, can be considered as worst-cases for chronic polymicrobial infections. We illustrate the state-of-art strategies used to study biofilms and bacterial niches in chronic infections, and multispecies ecological competition. Although far from the rendering of the 3D-environments and the polymicrobial nature of the infections, they represent the starting point to face their complexity. The increase of knowledge respect to the above aspects could positively affect the actual healthcare scenario. Indeed, infections are becoming a serious threat, due to the increasing bacterial resistance and the slow release of novel antibiotics on the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Oriano
- Molecular Medicine Department (DMM), Center for Health Technologies (CHT), UdR INSTM, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Internal Medicine Department, Respiratory Unit and Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Zorzetto
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Guagliano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” and UdR INSTM Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Bertoglio
- Molecular Medicine Department (DMM), Center for Health Technologies (CHT), UdR INSTM, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatic, Department of Biotechnology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sebastião van Uden
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” and UdR INSTM Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Livia Visai
- Molecular Medicine Department (DMM), Center for Health Technologies (CHT), UdR INSTM, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Environmental Risks, Istituti Clinici Scientifici (ICS) Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Petrini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” and UdR INSTM Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Khan F, Pham DTN, Tabassum N, Oloketuyi SF, Kim YM. Treatment strategies targeting persister cell formation in bacterial pathogens. Crit Rev Microbiol 2020; 46:665-688. [DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2020.1822278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fazlurrahman Khan
- Institute of Food Science, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Dung Thuy Nguyen Pham
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Nazia Tabassum
- Industrial Convergence Bionix Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea
| | | | - Young-Mog Kim
- Institute of Food Science, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea
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43
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Diffusible Signal Factors Act through AraC-Type Transcriptional Regulators as Chemical Cues To Repress Virulence of Enteric Pathogens. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00226-20. [PMID: 32690633 PMCID: PMC7504960 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00226-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful colonization by enteric pathogens is contingent upon effective interactions with the host and the resident microbiota. These pathogens thus respond to and integrate myriad signals to control virulence. Long-chain fatty acids repress the virulence of the important enteric pathogens Salmonella enterica and Vibrio cholerae by repressing AraC-type transcriptional regulators in pathogenicity islands. While several fatty acids are known to be repressive, we show here that cis-2-unsaturated fatty acids, a rare chemical class used as diffusible signal factors (DSFs), are highly potent inhibitors of virulence functions. We found that DSFs repressed virulence gene expression of enteric pathogens by interacting with transcriptional regulators of the AraC family. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, DSFs repress the activity of HilD, an AraC-type activator essential to the induction of epithelial cell invasion, by both preventing its interaction with target DNA and inducing its rapid degradation by Lon protease. cis-2-Hexadecenoic acid (c2-HDA), a DSF produced by Xylella fastidiosa, was the most potent among those tested, repressing the HilD-dependent transcriptional regulator hilA and the type III secretion effector sopB >200- and 68-fold, respectively. Further, c2-HDA attenuated the transcription of the ToxT-dependent cholera toxin synthesis genes of V. cholerae c2-HDA significantly repressed invasion gene expression by Salmonella in the murine colitis model, indicating that the HilD-dependent signaling pathway functions within the complex milieu of the animal intestine. These data argue that enteric pathogens respond to DSFs as interspecies signals to identify appropriate niches in the gut for virulence activation, which could be exploited to control the virulence of enteric pathogens.
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Kumar P, Lee JH, Beyenal H, Lee J. Fatty Acids as Antibiofilm and Antivirulence Agents. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:753-768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Salcedo-Sora JE, Kell DB. A Quantitative Survey of Bacterial Persistence in the Presence of Antibiotics: Towards Antipersister Antimicrobial Discovery. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E508. [PMID: 32823501 PMCID: PMC7460088 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9080508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bacterial persistence to antibiotics relates to the phenotypic ability to survive lethal concentrations of otherwise bactericidal antibiotics. The quantitative nature of the time-kill assay, which is the sector's standard for the study of antibiotic bacterial persistence, is an invaluable asset for global, unbiased, and cross-species analyses. Methods: We compiled the results of antibiotic persistence from antibiotic-sensitive bacteria during planktonic growth. The data were extracted from a sample of 187 publications over the last 50 years. The antibiotics used in this compilation were also compared in terms of structural similarity to fluorescent molecules known to accumulate in Escherichia coli. Results: We reviewed in detail data from 54 antibiotics and 36 bacterial species. Persistence varies widely as a function of the type of antibiotic (membrane-active antibiotics admit the fewest), the nature of the growth phase and medium (persistence is less common in exponential phase and rich media), and the Gram staining of the target organism (persistence is more common in Gram positives). Some antibiotics bear strong structural similarity to fluorophores known to be taken up by E. coli, potentially allowing competitive assays. Some antibiotics also, paradoxically, seem to allow more persisters at higher antibiotic concentrations. Conclusions: We consolidated an actionable knowledge base to support a rational development of antipersister antimicrobials. Persistence is seen as a step on the pathway to antimicrobial resistance, and we found no organisms that failed to exhibit it. Novel antibiotics need to have antipersister activity. Discovery strategies should include persister-specific approaches that could find antibiotics that preferably target the membrane structure and permeability of slow-growing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Enrique Salcedo-Sora
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Building 220, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Gollan B, Grabe G, Michaux C, Helaine S. Bacterial Persisters and Infection: Past, Present, and Progressing. Annu Rev Microbiol 2020; 73:359-385. [PMID: 31500532 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-020518-115650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Persisters are nongrowing, transiently antibiotic-tolerant bacteria within a clonal population of otherwise susceptible cells. Their formation is triggered by environmental cues and involves the main bacterial stress response pathways that allow persisters to survive many harsh conditions, including antibiotic exposure. During infection, bacterial pathogens are exposed to a vast array of stresses in the host and form nongrowing persisters that survive both antibiotics and host immune responses, thereby most likely contributing to the relapse of many infections. While antibiotic persisters have been extensively studied over the last decade, the bulk of the work has focused on how these bacteria survive exposure to drugs in vitro. The ability of persisters to survive their interaction with a host is important yet underinvestigated. In order to tackle the problem of persistence of infections that contribute to the worldwide antibiotic resistance crisis, efforts should be made by scientific communities to understand and merge these two fields of research: antibiotic persisters and host-pathogen interactions. Here we give an overview of the history of the field of antibiotic persistence, report evidence for the importance of persisters in infection, and highlight studies that bridge the two areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Gollan
- Section of Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; , , ,
| | - Grzegorz Grabe
- Section of Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; , , ,
| | - Charlotte Michaux
- Section of Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; , , ,
| | - Sophie Helaine
- Section of Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; , , ,
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Abstract
Aim To demonstrate that myrrh oil preferentially kills nongrowing bacteria and causes no resistance development. Method Growth inhibition was determined on regular plates or plates without nutrients, which were later overlaid with soft agar containing nutrients to continue growth. Killing experiments were done in broth and in buffer without nutrients. Results Bacterial cells were inhibited preferentially in the absence of nutrients or when growth was halted by a bacteriostatic antibiotic. After five passages in myrrh oil, surviving colonies showed no resistance to the antibiotic. Conclusion Myrrh oil has the potential to be a commercially viable antibiotic that kills persister cells and causes no resistance development. This is a rare example of an antibiotic that can preferentially kill nongrowing bacteria.
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Thao S, Brandl MT, Carter MQ. Enhanced formation of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli persister variants in environments relevant to leafy greens production. Food Microbiol 2019; 84:103241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.103241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Abstract
Biofilms are surface-associated bacterial communities that play both beneficial and harmful roles in nature, medicine, and industry. Tolerant and persister cells are thought to underlie biofilm-related bacterial recurrence in medical and industrial contexts. Here, we review recent progress aimed at understanding the mechanical features that drive biofilm resilience and the biofilm formation process at single-cell resolution. We discuss findings regarding mechanisms underlying bacterial tolerance and persistence in biofilms and how these phenotypes are linked to antibiotic resistance. New strategies for combatting tolerance and persistence in biofilms and possible methods for biofilm eradication are highlighted to inspire future development.
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