1
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Li Y, Kumar S, Zhang L. Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance and Developments in Therapeutic Strategies to Combat Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection. Infect Drug Resist 2024; 17:1107-1119. [PMID: 38525477 PMCID: PMC10960543 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s453025] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections with drug-resistant bacteria have become one of the greatest public health challenges, and K. pneumoniae is among the top six drug-resistant bacteria. K. pneumoniae often causes nosocomial infections, leading to illnesses such as pneumonia, liver abscesses, soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and in some cases death. As the pathogen continues to evolve and its multidrug resistance increases, K. pneumoniae poses a direct threat to humans. Drug resistance in K. pneumoniae may occur due to the formation of biofilms, efflux pumps, and the production of β-lactamases. In many cases, resistance is further enhanced by enzymatic modification and loss of porins. Drug resistance to K. pneumoniae has led to a decline in the effectiveness of conventional therapies against this pathogen. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development of new antibiotics and explore new therapeutic approaches such as antimicrobial peptides, phages, traditional Chinese medicine, immunotherapy, Antimicrobial nanoparticle technology, antisense oligonucleotides and gene editing technologies. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of drug resistance in K. pneumoniae and compare several new potential therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance in the treatment of K. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Li
- Pharmacy Department, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Post Graduate Centre, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Diagnostic and Allied Health Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Lihu Zhang
- Pharmacy Department, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
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2
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Paul D, Chawla M, Ahrodia T, Narendrakumar L, Das B. Antibiotic Potentiation as a Promising Strategy to Combat Macrolide Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1715. [PMID: 38136749 PMCID: PMC10740890 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics, which hit the market with astounding impact, were once called miracle drugs, as these were considered the ultimate cure for infectious diseases in the mid-20th century. However, today, nearly all bacteria that afflict humankind have become resistant to these wonder drugs once developed to stop them, imperiling the foundation of modern medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in macrolide use to treat secondary infections and this persistent use of macrolide antibiotics has provoked the emergence of macrolide resistance. In view of the current dearth of new antibiotics in the pipeline, it is essential to find an alternative way to combat drug resistance. Antibiotic potentiators or adjuvants are non-antibacterial active molecules that, when combined with antibiotics, increase their activity. Thus, potentiating the existing antibiotics is one of the promising approaches to tackle and minimize the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Several natural and synthetic compounds have demonstrated effectiveness in potentiating macrolide antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The present review summarizes the different resistance mechanisms adapted by bacteria to resist macrolides and further emphasizes the major macrolide potentiators identified which could serve to revive the antibiotic and can be used for the reversal of macrolide resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepjyoti Paul
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad 121001, India
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3
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Chatupheeraphat C, Peamchai J, Luk-in S, Yainoy S, Eiamphungporn W. Synergistic effect of two antimicrobial peptides, BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 with conventional antibiotics against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294287. [PMID: 37972089 PMCID: PMC10653547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Enterobacterales infections are a great health concern due to the lack of effective treatments. Consequently, finding novel antimicrobials or combining therapies becomes a crucial approach in addressing this problem. BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2, novel antimicrobial peptides, have exhibited effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we assessed the in vitro antibacterial activity of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2, along with their synergistic interaction with conventional antibiotics including colistin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin against colistin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 against tested E. coli isolates were 2-16 and 8-32 μg/mL, respectively. However, for the majority of K. pneumoniae isolates, the MIC of BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 were >128 μg/mL. Notably, our results demonstrated a synergistic effect when combining BP203 with rifampicin, meropenem, or chloramphenicol, primarily observed in most K. pneumoniae isolates. In contrast, no synergism was evident between BP203 and colistin, chloramphenicol, ceftazidime, rifampicin, or ciprofloxacin when tested against all E. coli isolates. Furthermore, synergistic effects between MAP-0403 J-2 and rifampicin, ceftazidime or colistin were observed against the majority of E. coli isolates. Similarly, the combined effect of MAP-0403 J-2 with rifampicin or chloramphenicol was synergistic in the majority of K. pneumoniae isolates. Importantly, these peptides displayed the stability at high temperatures, across a wide range of pH values, in specific serum concentrations and under physiological salt conditions. Both peptides also showed no significant hemolysis and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Our findings suggested that BP203 and MAP-0403 J-2 are promising candidates against colistin-resistant E. coli. Meanwhile, the synergism of these peptides and certain antibiotics could be of great therapeutic value as antimicrobial drugs against infections caused by colistin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jiratchaya Peamchai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirirat Luk-in
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakda Yainoy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Warawan Eiamphungporn
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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4
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Lennard PR, Hiemstra PS, Nibbering PH. Complementary Activities of Host Defence Peptides and Antibiotics in Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1518. [PMID: 37887219 PMCID: PMC10604037 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their ability to eliminate antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria and to modulate the immune response, host defence peptides (HDPs) hold great promise for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections. Whereas monotherapy with HDPs is not likely to become an effective first-line treatment, combinations of such peptides with antibiotics can potentially provide a path to future therapies for AMR infections. Therefore, we critically reviewed the recent literature regarding the antibacterial activity of combinations of HDPs and antibiotics against AMR bacteria and the approaches taken in these studies. Of the 86 studies compiled, 56 featured a formal assessment of synergy between agents. Of the combinations assessed, synergistic and additive interactions between HDPs and antibiotics amounted to 84.9% of the records, while indifferent and antagonistic interactions accounted for 15.1%. Penicillin, aminoglycoside, fluoro/quinolone, and glycopeptide antibiotic classes were the most frequently documented as interacting with HDPs, and Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecium were the most reported bacterial species. Few studies formally evaluated the effects of combinations of HDPs and antibiotics on bacteria, and even fewer assessed such combinations against bacteria within biofilms, in animal models, or in advanced tissue infection models. Despite the biases of the current literature, the studies suggest that effective combinations of HDPs and antibiotics hold promise for the future treatment of infections caused by AMR bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R. Lennard
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
- Institute of Immunology and Infection, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands;
| | - Pieter S. Hiemstra
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H. Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands;
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Browne K, Kuppusamy R, Walsh WR, Black DS, Willcox MDP, Kumar N, Chen R. Antimicrobial Peptidomimetics Prevent the Development of Resistance against Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin in Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14966. [PMID: 37834415 PMCID: PMC10573972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria readily acquire resistance to traditional antibiotics, resulting in pan-resistant strains with no available treatment. Antimicrobial resistance is a global challenge and without the development of effective antimicrobials, the foundation of modern medicine is at risk. Combination therapies such as antibiotic-antibiotic and antibiotic-adjuvant combinations are strategies used to combat antibiotic resistance. Current research focuses on antimicrobial peptidomimetics as adjuvant compounds, due to their promising activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here, for the first time we demonstrate that antibiotic-peptidomimetic combinations mitigate the development of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When ciprofloxacin and gentamicin were passaged individually at sub-inhibitory concentrations for 10 days, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) increased up to 32-fold and 128-fold for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. In contrast, when antibiotics were passaged in combination with peptidomimetics (Melimine, Mel4, RK758), the MICs of both antibiotics and peptidomimetics remained constant, indicating these combinations were able to mitigate the development of antibiotic-resistance. Furthermore, antibiotic-peptidomimetic combinations demonstrated synergistic activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, reducing the concentration needed for bactericidal activity. This has significant potential clinical applications-including preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains in hospitals and communities, reviving ineffective antibiotics, and lowering the toxicity of antimicrobial chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Browne
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
- Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratories (SORL), Prince of Wales Clinical School, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Rajesh Kuppusamy
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - William R. Walsh
- Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratories (SORL), Prince of Wales Clinical School, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - David StC Black
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Mark D. P. Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Renxun Chen
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
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6
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Sinha S, Dhanabal VB, Manivannen VL, Cappiello F, Tan SM, Bhattacharjya S. Ultra-Short Cyclized β-Boomerang Peptides: Structures, Interactions with Lipopolysaccharide, Antibiotic Potentiator and Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010263. [PMID: 36613707 PMCID: PMC9820106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Many antibiotics are ineffective in killing Gram-negative bacteria due to the permeability barrier of the outer-membrane LPS. Infections caused by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens require new antibiotics, which are often difficult to develop. Antibiotic potentiators disrupt outer-membrane LPS and can assist the entry of large-scaffold antibiotics to the bacterial targets. In this work, we designed a backbone-cyclized ultra-short, six-amino-acid-long (WKRKRY) peptide, termed cWY6 from LPS binding motif of β-boomerang bactericidal peptides. The cWY6 peptide does not exhibit any antimicrobial activity; however, it is able to permeabilize the LPS outer membrane. Our results demonstrate the antibiotic potentiator activity in the designed cWY6 peptide for several conventional antibiotics (vancomycin, rifampicin, erythromycin, novobiocin and azithromycin). Remarkably, the short cWY6 peptide exhibits wound-healing activity in in vitro assays. NMR, computational docking and biophysical studies describe the atomic-resolution structure of the peptide in complex with LPS and mode of action in disrupting the outer membrane. The dual activities of cWY6 peptide hold high promise for further translation to therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal Sinha
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, Singapore 637141, Singapore
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Vidhya Bharathi Dhanabal
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Veronica Lavanya Manivannen
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Suet-Mien Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Surajit Bhattacharjya
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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Efficacy of natural antimicrobial peptides versus peptidomimetic analogues: a systematic review. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:1899-1921. [PMID: 36421051 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0160] [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: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: This systematic review was carried out to determine whether synthetic peptidomimetics exhibit significant advantages over antimicrobial peptides in terms of in vitro potency. Structural features - molecular weight, charge and length - were examined for correlations with activity. Methods: Original research articles reporting minimum inhibitory concentration values against Escherichia coli, indexed until 31 December 2020, were searched in PubMed/ScienceDirect/Google Scholar and evaluated using mixed-effects models. Results: In vitro antimicrobial activity of peptidomimetics resembled that of antimicrobial peptides. Net charge significantly affected minimum inhibitory concentration values (p < 0.001) with a trend of 4.6% decrease for increments in charge by +1. Conclusion: AMPs and antibacterial peptidomimetics exhibit similar potencies, providing an opportunity to exploit the advantageous stability and bioavailability typically associated with peptidomimetics.
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Abstract
Escherichia coli is intrinsically resistant to macrolides due to outer membrane impermeability, but may also acquire macrolide resistance genes by horizontal transfer. We evaluated the prevalence and types of acquired macrolide resistance determinants in pig clinical E. coli, and we assessed the ability of peptidomimetics to potentiate different macrolide subclasses against strains resistant to neomycin, a first-line antibiotic in the treatment of pig-enteric infections. The erythromycin MIC distribution was determined in 324 pig clinical E. coli isolates, and 62 neomycin-resistant isolates were further characterized by genome sequencing and MIC testing of azithromycin, spiramycin, tilmicosin, and tylosin. The impact on potency achieved by combining these macrolides with three selected peptidomimetic compounds was determined by checkerboard assays in six strains representing different genetic lineages and macrolide resistance gene profiles. Erythromycin MICs ranged from 16 to >1,024 μg/mL. Azithromycin showed the highest potency in wild-type strains (1 to 8 μg/mL), followed by erythromycin (16 to 128 μg/mL), tilmicosin (32 to 256 μg/mL), and spiramycin (128 to 256 μg/mL). Isolates with elevated MIC mainly carried erm(B), either alone or in combination with other acquired macrolide resistance genes, including erm(42), mef(C), mph(A), mph(B), and mph(G). All peptidomimetic-macrolide combinations exhibited synergy (fractional inhibitory concentration index [FICI] < 0.5) with a 4- to 32-fold decrease in the MICs of macrolides. Interestingly, the MICs of tilmicosin in wild-type strains were reduced to concentrations (4 to 16 μg/mL) that can be achieved in the pig intestinal tract after oral administration, indicating that peptidomimetics can potentially be employed for repurposing tilmicosin in the management of E. coli enteritis in pigs. IMPORTANCE Acquired macrolide resistance is poorly studied in Escherichia coli because of intrinsic resistance and limited antimicrobial activity in Gram-negative bacteria. This study reveals new information on the prevalence and distribution of macrolide resistance determinants in a comprehensive collection of porcine clinical E. coli from Denmark. Our results contribute to understanding the correlation between genotypic and phenotypic macrolide resistance in E. coli. From a clinical standpoint, our study provides an initial proof of concept that peptidomimetics can resensitize E. coli to macrolide concentrations that may be achieved in the pig intestinal tract after oral administration. The latter result has implications for animal health and potential applications in veterinary antimicrobial drug development in view of the high rates of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolated from enteric infections in pigs and the lack of viable alternatives for treating these infections.
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9
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Atomic-Resolution Structures and Mode of Action of Clinically Relevant Antimicrobial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094558. [PMID: 35562950 PMCID: PMC9100274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Global rise of infections and deaths caused by drug-resistant bacterial pathogens are among the unmet medical needs. In an age of drying pipeline of novel antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are proven to be valid therapeutics modalities. Direct in vivo applications of many AMPs could be challenging; however, works are demonstrating encouraging results for some of them. In this review article, we discussed 3-D structures of potent AMPs e.g., polymyxin, thanatin, MSI, protegrin, OMPTA in complex with bacterial targets and their mode of actions. Studies on human peptide LL37 and de novo-designed peptides are also discussed. We have focused on AMPs which are effective against drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Since treatment options for the infections caused by super bugs of Gram-negative bacteria are now extremely limited. We also summarize some of the pertinent challenges in the field of clinical trials of AMPs.
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10
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Schweizer L, Ramirez D, Schweizer F. Effects of Lysine N-ζ-Methylation in Ultrashort Tetrabasic Lipopeptides (UTBLPs) on the Potentiation of Rifampicin, Novobiocin, and Niclosamide in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030335. [PMID: 35326798 PMCID: PMC8963254 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer membrane (OM) drug impermeability typically associated with a molecular weight above 600 Da and high hydrophobicity prevents accumulation of many antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Previous studies have shown that ultrashort tetrabasic lipopeptides (UTBLPs) containing multiple lysine residues potentiate Gram-positive bacteria (GPB)-selective antibiotics in GNB by enhancing OM permeability. However, there is no available information on how N-substitution at the ζ-position of lysine in UTBLPs affects antibiotic potentiation in GNB. To study these effects, we prepared a series of branched and linear UTBLPs that differ in the degree of N-ζ-methylation and studied their potentiating effects with GPB-selective antibiotics including rifampicin, novobiocin, niclosamide, and chloramphenicol against wild-type and multidrug-resistant GNB isolates. Our results show that increasing N-ζ-methylation reduces or abolishes the potentiating effects of UTBLPs with rifampicin, novobiocin, and niclosamide against GNB. No trend was observed with chloramphenicol that is largely affected by efflux. We were unable to observe a correlation between the strength of the antibiotic potentiating effect to the increase in fluorescence in the 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN) OM permeability assay suggesting that other factors besides OM permeability of NPN play a role in antibiotic potentiation. In conclusion, our study has elucidated crucial structure–activity relationships for the optimization of polybasic antibiotic potentiators in GNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Schweizer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
| | - Danyel Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
| | - Frank Schweizer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Correspondence:
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11
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Ramirez D, Berry L, Domalaon R, Li Y, Arthur G, Kumar A, Schweizer F. Dioctanoyl Ultrashort Tetrabasic β-Peptides Sensitize Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria to Novobiocin and Rifampicin. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:803309. [PMID: 35003035 PMCID: PMC8733726 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.803309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently reported peptidomimetics with increased resistance to trypsin were shown to sensitize priority multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria to novobiocin and rifampicin. To further optimize proteolytic stability, β-amino acid-containing derivatives of these compounds were prepared, resulting in three dioctanoyl ultrashort tetrabasic β-peptides (dUSTBβPs). The nonhemolytic dUSTBβP 3, comprised of three β3-homoarginine residues and two fatty acyl tails eight carbons long, enhanced the antibacterial activity of various antibiotics from different classes. Notably, compound 3 retained the ability to potentiate novobiocin and rifampicin in wild-type Gram-negative bacteria against MDR clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae. dUSTBβP 3 reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration of novobiocin and rifampicin below their interpretative susceptibility breakpoints. Furthermore, compound 3 exhibited improved in vitro stability (86.8 ± 3.7% remaining) relative to its α-amino acid-based counterpart (39.5 ± 7.4% remaining) after a 2 h incubation in human plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyel Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Liam Berry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ronald Domalaon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yanqi Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Gilbert Arthur
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ayush Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Frank Schweizer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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12
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Bhaumik KN, Hetényi A, Olajos G, Martins A, Spohn R, Németh L, Jojart B, Szili P, Dunai A, Jangir PK, Daruka L, Földesi I, Kata D, Pál C, Martinek TA. Rationally designed foldameric adjuvants enhance antibiotic efficacy via promoting membrane hyperpolarization. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING 2022; 7:21-33. [PMID: 35127141 PMCID: PMC8724909 DOI: 10.1039/d1me00118c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The negative membrane potential of bacterial cells influences crucial cellular processes. Inspired by the molecular scaffold of the antimicrobial peptide PGLa, we have developed antimicrobial foldamers with a computer-guided design strategy. The novel PGLa analogues induce sustained membrane hyperpolarization. When co-administered as an adjuvant, the resulting compounds - PGLb1 and PGLb2 - have substantially reduced the level of antibiotic resistance of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella flexneri clinical isolates. The observed antibiotic potentiation was mediated by hyperpolarization of the bacterial membrane caused by the alteration of cellular ion transport. Specifically, PGLb1 and PGLb2 are selective ionophores that enhance the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz potential across the bacterial membrane. These findings indicate that manipulating bacterial membrane electrophysiology could be a valuable tool to overcome antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Nath Bhaumik
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged Dóm tér 8 Szeged HU-6720 Hungary
| | - Anasztázia Hetényi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged Dóm tér 8 Szeged HU-6720 Hungary
| | - Gábor Olajos
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged Dóm tér 8 Szeged HU-6720 Hungary
| | - Ana Martins
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
| | - Réka Spohn
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
| | - Lukács Németh
- Institute of Food Engineering, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - Balázs Jojart
- Institute of Food Engineering, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - Petra Szili
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
- Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Medical Sciences, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - Anett Dunai
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
| | - Pramod K Jangir
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
| | - Lejla Daruka
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - Imre Földesi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - Diána Kata
- Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - Csaba Pál
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Szeged Hungary
| | - Tamás A Martinek
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged Dóm tér 8 Szeged HU-6720 Hungary
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Zaknoon F, Meir O, Mor A. Mechanistic Studies of Antibiotic Adjuvants Reducing Kidney's Bacterial Loads upon Systemic Monotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111947. [PMID: 34834362 PMCID: PMC8621570 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the design and attributes of a linear pentapeptide-like derivative (C14(ω5)OOc10O) screened for its ability to elicit bactericidal competences of plasma constituents against Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). In simpler culture media, the lipopeptide revealed high aptitudes to sensitize resilient GNB to hydrophobic and/or efflux-substrate antibiotics, whereas in their absence, C14(ω5)OOc10O only briefly delayed bacterial proliferation. Instead, at low micromolar concentrations, the lipopeptide has rapidly lowered bacterial proton and ATP levels, although significantly less than upon treatment with its bactericidal analog. Mechanistic studies support a two-step scenario providing a plausible explanation for the lipopeptide’s biological outcomes against GNB: initially, C14(ω5)OOc10O permeabilizes the outer membrane similarly to polymyxin B, albeit in a manner not necessitating as much LPS-binding affinity. Subsequently, C14(ω5)OOc10O would interact with the inner membrane gently yet intensively enough to restrain membrane-protein functions such as drug efflux and/or ATP generation, while averting the harsher inner membrane perturbations that mediate the fatal outcome associated with bactericidal peers. Preliminary in vivo studies where skin wound infections were introduced in mice, revealed a significant efficacy in affecting bacterial viability upon topical treatment with creams containing C14(ω5)OOc10O, whereas synergistic combination therapies were able to secure the pathogen’s eradication. Further, capitalizing on the finding that C14(ω5)OOc10O plasma-potentiating concentrations were attainable in mice blood at sub-maximal tolerated doses, we used a urinary tract infection model to acquire evidence for the lipopeptide’s systemic capacity to reduce the kidney’s bacterial loads. Collectively, the data establish the role of C14(ω5)OOc10O as a compelling antibacterial potentiator and suggest its drug-like potential.
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14
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Sharma S, Rao R, Reeve SM, Phelps GA, Bharatham N, Katagihallimath N, Ramachandran V, Raveendran S, Sarma M, Nath A, Thomas T, Manickam D, Nagaraj S, Balasubramanian V, Lee RE, Hameed P S, Datta S. Azaindole Based Potentiator of Antibiotics against Gram-Negative Bacteria. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:3009-3024. [PMID: 34699190 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We discovered azaindole-based compounds with weak innate activity that exhibit substantial potentiation of antibacterial activities of different antibiotics, viz., rifampicin, erythromycin, solithromycin, and novobiocin in Gram-negative bacteria. In the presence of the azaindole derivatives, these antibiotics exhibited submicromolar minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The fold improvements in MIC of these antibiotics that were otherwise weak or inactive on their own against these bacteria were also observed against drug-resistant clinical isolates. Our studies indicate that this selective potentiation is probably through destabilization of the outer membrane's integrity, known to be regulated by the lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Thus, the azaindole based compounds described here open opportunities for those antibiotics that are otherwise ineffective due to LPS mediated entry barriers in Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreevalli Sharma
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka-560064, India
| | - Ranga Rao
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka-560064, India
| | - Stephanie M. Reeve
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Gregory A. Phelps
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Nagakumar Bharatham
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka-560064, India
| | - Nainesh Katagihallimath
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka-560064, India
| | - Vasanthi Ramachandran
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka-560064, India
| | - Savitha Raveendran
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Maitrayee Sarma
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Anubha Nath
- St. John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560034, India
| | - Teby Thomas
- St. John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560034, India
| | - Dhanasekaran Manickam
- Syngene International Ltd., Plot 2 & 3, Bommasandra Industrial Estate - Phase-IV, Bommasandra-Jigani Link Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560099, India
| | - Savitha Nagaraj
- St. John’s Medical Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560034, India
| | - V. Balasubramanian
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
| | - Richard E. Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Shahul Hameed P
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
- The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, Karnataka-560064, India
| | - Santanu Datta
- BUGWORKS Research India Pvt. Ltd., Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms, GKVK, Bellary Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560065, India
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15
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Mood EH, Goltermann L, Brolin C, Cavaco LM, Nejad AJ, Yavari N, Frederiksen N, Franzyk H, Nielsen PE. Antibiotic Potentiation in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogenic Bacteria by a Synthetic Peptidomimetic. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:2152-2163. [PMID: 34227804 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The peptidomimetic H-[NLys-tBuAla]6-NH2 (CEP-136), which exhibits low inherent antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC = 16-64 μM), was shown to significantly potentiate the antibacterial activity of several clinically important antibiotics against the human pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the antibacterial spectrum of rifampicin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin could be extended to include also these Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, the potentiation effect was demonstrated in a panel of clinically relevant multidrug-resistant isolates including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing as well as colistin-resistant strains. For some peptidomimetic-antibiotic combinations, the strong synergy corresponded to a more than 50-fold reduction of the minimal inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic. Mechanistic studies indicate that the potentiation arises from a permeabilization effect exerted on the outer membrane lipopolysaccharide layer of the Gram-negative bacteria without significant disruption of the inner membrane. Furthermore, the peptidomimetic enhancer exhibited only a marginal effect on the viability of mammalian HepG2 cells even at concentrations 100-fold higher than that enabling the antibiotic enhancement. Also, a low hemolytic activity combined with limited in vivo acute toxicity of CEP-136 in healthy mice allowed in vivo validation of the potentiation effect on both rifampicin and azithromycin treatment in a murine peritonitis model. Thus, CEP-136 is an interesting hit compound for further development of effective adjuvants for repurposing antibiotics for use against infections by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elnaz Harifi Mood
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lise Goltermann
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Camilla Brolin
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lina M. Cavaco
- Department for Bacteria Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alireza Japoni Nejad
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niloofar Yavari
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicki Frederiksen
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter E. Nielsen
- Center for Peptide-based Antibiotics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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16
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Vestergaard M, Skive B, Domraceva I, Ingmer H, Franzyk H. Peptide/β-Peptoid Hybrids with Activity against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Influence of Hydrophobicity and Structural Features on Antibacterial and Hemolytic Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5617. [PMID: 34070683 PMCID: PMC8197855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with enterococci are challenging to treat due to intrinsic resistance to several antibiotics. Especially vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis are of considerable concern with a limited number of efficacious therapeutics available. From an initial screening of 20 peptidomimetics, 11 stable peptide/β-peptoid hybrids were found to have antibacterial activity against eight E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates. Microbiological characterization comprised determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), probing of synergy with antibiotics in a checkerboard assay, time-kill studies, as well as assessment of membrane integrity. E. faecium isolates proved more susceptible than E. faecalis isolates, and no differences in susceptibility between the vancomycin-resistant (VRE) and -susceptible E. faecium isolates were observed. A test of three peptidomimetics (Ac-[hArg-βNsce]6-NH2, Ac-[hArg-βNsce-Lys-βNspe]3-NH2 and Oct-[Lys-βNspe]6-NH2) in combination with conventional antibiotics (vancomycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, rifampicin or azithromycin) revealed no synergy. The same three potent analogues were found to have a bactericidal effect with a membrane-disruptive mode of action. Peptidomimetics Ac-[hArg-βNsce-Lys-βNspe]3-NH2 and Oct-[Lys-βNspe]6-NH2 with low MIC values (in the ranges 2-8 µg/mL and 4-16 µg/mL against E. faecium and E. faecalis, respectively) and displaying weak cytotoxic properties (i.e., <10% hemolysis at a ~100-fold higher concentration than their MICs; IC50 values of 73 and 41 µg/mL, respectively, against HepG2 cells) were identified as promising starting points for further optimization studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Vestergaard
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark; (M.V.); (B.S.); (H.I.)
| | - Bolette Skive
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark; (M.V.); (B.S.); (H.I.)
| | - Ilona Domraceva
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark; (M.V.); (B.S.); (H.I.)
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Center for Peptide-Based Antibiotics, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Ohno MK, Kirikae T, Yoshihara E, Kirikae F, Ishida I. Addition of L-cysteine to the N- or C-terminus of the all-D-enantiomer [ D(KLAKLAK) 2] increases antimicrobial activities against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10176. [PMID: 33335804 PMCID: PMC7713595 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10176] [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: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial peptides have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and are attracting attention as promising next-generation antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The all-d-enantiomer [D(KLAKLAK)2] has been reported to have antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and to be resistant to protein degradation in bacteria because it is composed of D-enantiomer compounds. In this study, we demonstrated that modification of [D(KLAKLAK)2] by the addition of an L-cysteine residue to its N- or C- terminus markedly enhanced its antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative bacteria such as MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. METHODS The peptides [D(KLAKLAK)2] (DP), DP to which L-cysteine was added at the N-terminus C-DP, and DP to which L-cysteine was added at the C-terminus DP-C, were synthesized at >95% purity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of peptides and antibiotics were determined by the broth microdilution method. The synergistic effects of the peptides and the antibiotics against MDR P. aeruginosa were evaluated using the checkerboard dilution method. In order to assess how these peptides affect the survival of human cells, cell viability was determined using a Cell Counting Kit-8. RESULTS C-DP and DP-C enhanced the antimicrobial activities of the peptide against MDR Gram-negative bacteria, including A. baumannii, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. The antimicrobial activity of DP-C was greater than that of C-DP, with these peptides also having antimicrobial activity against drug-susceptible P. aeruginosa and drug-resistant P. aeruginosa overexpressing the efflux pump components. C-DP and DP-C also showed antimicrobial activity against colistin-resistant E. coli harboring mcr-1, which encodes a lipid A modifying enzyme. DP-C showed synergistic antimicrobial activity against MDR P. aeruginosa when combined with colistin. The LD50 of DP-C against a human cell line HepG2 was six times higher than the MIC of DP-C against MDR P. aeruginosa. The LD50 of DP-C was not altered by incubation with low-dose colistin. CONCLUSION Attachment of an L-cysteine residue to the N- or C-terminus of [D(KLAKLAK)2] enhanced its antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. The combination of C-DP or DP-C and colistin had synergistic effects against MDR P. aeruginosa. In addition, DP-C and C-DP showed much stronger antimicrobial activity against MDR A. baumannii and E. coli than against P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki K. Ohno
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teruo Kirikae
- Department of Microbiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Fumiko Kirikae
- Department of Microbiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isao Ishida
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Liu J, Chen F, Wang X, Peng H, Zhang H, Wang KJ. The Synergistic Effect of Mud Crab Antimicrobial Peptides Sphistin and Sph 12-38 With Antibiotics Azithromycin and Rifampicin Enhances Bactericidal Activity Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:572849. [PMID: 33194811 PMCID: PMC7645104 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.572849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Overuse or abuse of antibiotics has undoubtedly accelerated the increasing prevalence of global antibiotic resistance crisis, and thus, people have been trying to explore approaches to decrease dosage of antibiotics or find new antibacterial agents for many years. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the ideal candidates that could kill pathogens and multidrug-resistant bacteria either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics. In the study, the antimicrobial efficacy of mud crab Scylla paramamosain AMPs Sphistin and Sph12−38 in combination with eight selected antibiotics was evaluated using a clinical pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was interesting to note that the in vitro combination of rifampicin and azithromycin with Sphistin and Sph12−38 showed significant synergistic activity against P. aeruginosa. Moreover, an in vivo study was carried out using a mouse model challenged with P. aeruginosa, and the result showed that the combination of Sph12−38 with either rifampicin or azithromycin could significantly promote the healing of wounds and had the healing time shortened to 4–5 days compared with 7–8 days in control. The underlying mechanism might be due to the binding of Sphistin and Sph12−38 with P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and subsequent promotion of the intracellular uptake of rifampicin and azithromycin. Taken together, the significant synergistic antibacterial effect on P. aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo conferred by the combination of low dose of Sphistin and Sph12−38 with low dose of rifampicin and azithromycin would be beneficial for the control of antibiotic resistance and effective treatment of P. aeruginosa-infected diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hui Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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19
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Garza-Cervantes JA, Meza-Bustillos JF, Resendiz-Hernández H, Suárez-Cantú IA, Ortega-Rivera OA, Salinas E, Escárcega-González CE, Morones-Ramírez JR. Re-sensitizing Ampicillin and Kanamycin-Resistant E. coli and S. aureus Using Synergistic Metal Micronutrients-Antibiotic Combinations. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:612. [PMID: 32671033 PMCID: PMC7327704 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00612] [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: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the recent emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, the development of novel antimicrobial agents has become a critical issue. The use of micronutrient transition metals is a promising approach to overcome this problem since these compounds exhibit significant toxicity at low concentrations in prokaryotic cells. In this work, we demonstrate that at concentrations lower than their minimal inhibitory concentrations and in combination with different antibiotics, it is possible to mitigate the barriers to employ metallic micronutrients as therapeutic agents. Here, we show that when administered as a combinatorial treatment, Cu2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ increase susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to ampicillin and kanamycin. Furthermore, ampicillin-resistant E. coli is re-sensitized to ampicillin when the ampicillin is administered in combination with Cu2+, Cd2+, or Ni2. Similarly, Cu2+, Zn2+, or Cd2+ re-sensitize kanamycin-resistant E. coli and S. aureus to kanamycin when administered in a combinatorial treatment with those transition metals. Here, we demonstrate that for both susceptible and resistant bacteria, transition-metal micronutrients, and antibiotics interact synergistically in combinatorial treatments and exhibit increased effects when compared to the treatment with the antibiotic alone. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo assays, using a murine topical infection model, showed no toxicological effects of either treatment at the administered concentrations. Lastly, we show that combinatorial treatments can clear a murine topical infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant strain. Altogether, these results suggest that antibiotic-metallic micronutrient combinatorial treatments will play an important role in future developments of antimicrobial agents and treatments against infections caused by both susceptible and resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Alberto Garza-Cervantes
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnologíay Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
| | - Jesus F Meza-Bustillos
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Haziel Resendiz-Hernández
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Ivan A Suárez-Cantú
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Oscar Antonio Ortega-Rivera
- Departamento de Microbiología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Eva Salinas
- Departamento de Microbiología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Carlos Enrique Escárcega-González
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnologíay Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
| | - Jose Ruben Morones-Ramírez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, UANL, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.,Centro de Investigación en Biotecnologíay Nanotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apodaca, Mexico
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