scholarly journals Activity of the De Novo Engineered Antimicrobial Peptide WLBU2 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Human Serum and Whole Blood: Implications for Systemic Applications

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 3208-3216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berthony Deslouches ◽  
Kazi Islam ◽  
Jodi K. Craigo ◽  
Shruti M. Paranjape ◽  
Ronald C. Montelaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Biologically Relevant

ABSTRACT Cationic amphipathic peptides have been extensively investigated as a potential source of new antimicrobials that can complement current antibiotic regimens in the face of emerging drug-resistant bacteria. However, the suppression of antimicrobial activity under certain biologically relevant conditions (e.g., serum and physiological salt concentrations) has hampered efforts to develop safe and effective antimicrobial peptides for clinical use. We have analyzed the activity and selectivity of the human peptide LL37 and the de novo engineered antimicrobial peptide WLBU2 in several biologically relevant conditions. The host-derived synthetic peptide LL37 displayed high activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but demonstrated staphylococcus-specific sensitivity to NaCl concentrations varying from 50 to 300 mM. Moreover, LL37 potency was variably suppressed in the presence of 1 to 6 mM Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. In contrast, WLBU2 maintained its activity in NaCl and physiologic serum concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+. WLBU2 is able to kill P. aeruginosa (106 CFU/ml) in human serum, with a minimum bactericidal concentration of <9 μM. Conversely, LL37 is inactive in the presence of human serum. Bacterial killing kinetic assays in serum revealed that WLBU2 achieved complete bacterial killing in 20 min. Consistent with these results was the ability of WLBU2 (15 to 20 μM) to eradicate bacteria from ex vivo samples of whole blood. The selectivity of WLBU2 was further demonstrated by its ability to specifically eliminate P. aeruginosa in coculture with human monocytes or skin fibroblasts without detectable adverse effects to the host cells. Finally, WLBU2 displayed potent efficacy against P. aeruginosa in an intraperitoneal infection model using female Swiss Webster mice. These results establish a potential application of WLBU2 in the treatment of bacterial sepsis.

scholarly journals Meropenem Combined with Ciprofloxacin Combats Hypermutable Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Respiratory Infections of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa E. Rees ◽  
Rajbharan Yadav ◽  
Kate E. Rogers ◽  
Jürgen B. Bulitta ◽  
Veronika Wirth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concentration Time

ABSTRACT Hypermutable Pseudomonas aeruginosa organisms are prevalent in chronic respiratory infections and have been associated with reduced lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF); these isolates can become resistant to all antibiotics in monotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the time course of bacterial killing and resistance of meropenem and ciprofloxacin in combination against hypermutable and nonhypermutable P. aeruginosa. Static concentration time-kill experiments over 72 h assessed meropenem and ciprofloxacin in mono- and combination therapies against PAO1 (nonhypermutable), PAOΔmutS (hypermutable), and hypermutable isolates CW8, CW35, and CW44 obtained from CF patients with chronic respiratory infections. Meropenem (1 or 2 g every 8 h [q8h] as 3-h infusions and 3 g/day as a continuous infusion) and ciprofloxacin (400 mg q8h as 1-h infusions) in monotherapies and combinations were further evaluated in an 8-day hollow-fiber infection model study (HFIM) against CW44. Concentration-time profiles in lung epithelial lining fluid reflecting the pharmacokinetics in CF patients were simulated and counts of total and resistant bacteria determined. All data were analyzed by mechanism-based modeling (MBM). In the HFIM, all monotherapies resulted in rapid regrowth with resistance at 48 h. The maximum daily doses of 6 g meropenem (T>MIC of 80% to 88%) and 1.2 g ciprofloxacin (area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h in the steady state divided by the MIC [AUC/MIC], 176), both given intermittently, in monotherapy failed to suppress regrowth and resulted in substantial emergence of resistance (≥7.6 log10 CFU/ml resistant populations). The combination of these regimens achieved synergistic killing and suppressed resistance. MBM with subpopulation and mechanistic synergy yielded unbiased and precise curve fits. Thus, the combination of 6 g/day meropenem plus ciprofloxacin holds promise for future clinical evaluation against infections by susceptible hypermutable P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Comparison of a Short Linear Antimicrobial Peptide with Its Disulfide-Cyclized and Cyclotide-Grafted Variants against Clinically Relevant Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249
Author(s):  
Johannes Koehbach ◽  
Jurnorain Gani ◽  
Kai Hilpert ◽  
David J Craik
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Human Serum ◽  
World Health ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
Linear Peptide ◽  
Linear Version

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the development of resistance against antibiotics by microbes is one of the most pressing health concerns. The situation will intensify since only a few pharmacological companies are currently developing novel antimicrobial compounds. Discovery and development of novel antimicrobial compounds with new modes of action are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are known to be able to kill multidrug-resistant bacteria and, therefore, of interest to be developed into antimicrobial drugs. Proteolytic stability and toxicities of these peptides are challenges to overcome, and one strategy frequently used to address stability is cyclization. Here we introduced a disulfide-bond to cyclize a potent and nontoxic 9mer peptide and, in addition, as a proof-of-concept study, grafted this peptide into loop 6 of the cyclotide MCoTI-II. This is the first time an antimicrobial peptide has been successfully grafted onto the cyclotide scaffold. The disulfide-cyclized and grafted cyclotide showed moderate activity in broth and strong activity in 1/5 broth against clinically relevant resistant pathogens. The linear peptide showed superior activity in both conditions. The half-life time in 100% human serum was determined, for the linear peptide, to be 13 min, for the simple disulfide-cyclized peptide, 9 min, and, for the grafted cyclotide 7 h 15 min. The addition of 10% human serum led to a loss of antimicrobial activity for the different organisms, ranging from 1 to >8-fold for the cyclotide. For the disulfide-cyclized version and the linear version, activity also dropped to different degrees, 2 to 18-fold, and 1 to 30-fold respectively. Despite the massive difference in stability, the linear peptide still showed superior antimicrobial activity. The cyclotide and the disulfide-cyclized version demonstrated a slower bactericidal effect than the linear version. All three peptides were stable at high and low pH, and had very low hemolytic and cytotoxic activity.

scholarly journals Activity of Meropenem-Vaborbactam againstPseudomonas aeruginosaandAcinetobacter baumanniiin a Neutropenic Mouse Thigh Infection Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mojgan Sabet ◽  
Ziad Tarazi ◽  
David C. Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTWe have evaluated the activity of meropenem-vaborbactam against clinical isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosaandAcinetobacter baumanniiin a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model. Data show that meropenem-vaborbactam regimens equivalent to 3-h infusions every 8 h with 2 g meropenem and 2 g vaborbactam produced bacterial killing against strains with MICs of 2 to 16 mg/liter and suggests that this combination may have utility in the treatment of infections caused byP. aeruginosaandA. baumannii.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Tobramycin and Ciprofloxacin as a Synergistic Combination Against Hypermutable Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Strains via Mechanism-Based Modelling

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa E. Rees ◽  
Jürgen B. Bulitta ◽  
Antonio Oliver ◽  
Roger L. Nation ◽  
Cornelia B. Landersdorfer
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Concentration Time ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Static Concentration ◽  
Susceptible Populations ◽  
Time Kill

Hypermutable Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains have a greatly increased mutation rate and are prevalent in chronic respiratory infections. Initially, we systematically evaluated the time-course of total and resistant populations of hypermutable (PAO∆mutS) and non-hypermutable (PAO1) P. aeruginosa strains in 48-h static concentration time-kill studies with two inocula. Both strains were exposed to clinically relevant concentrations of important antibiotics (aztreonam, ceftazidime, imipenem, meropenem, tobramycin, and ciprofloxacin) in monotherapy. The combination of tobramycin and ciprofloxacin was subsequently assessed in 48-h static concentration time-kill studies against PAO1, PAO∆mutS, and two hypermutable clinical P. aeruginosa strains. Mechanism-based mathematical modelling was conducted to describe the time-course of total and resistant bacteria for all four strains exposed to the combination. With all monotherapies, bacterial regrowth and resistant populations were overall more pronounced for PAO∆mutS compared to PAO1. The combination of tobramycin and ciprofloxacin was synergistic, with up to 106.1 colony forming units (CFU)/mL more bacterial killing than the most active monotherapy for all strains, and largely suppressed less-susceptible populations. This work indicates that monotherapies against hypermutable P. aeruginosa strains are not a viable option. Tobramycin with ciprofloxacin was identified as a promising and tangible option to combat hypermutable P. aeruginosa strains.

scholarly journals De novo-derived cationic antimicrobial peptide activity in a murine model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 669-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berthony Deslouches ◽  
Ivan A. Gonzalez ◽  
Dilhari DeAlmeida ◽  
Kazi Islam ◽  
Chad Steele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Murine Model ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide

scholarly journals Cephalosporins target quorum sensing and suppress virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Caenorhabditis elegans infection model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lokender Kumar ◽  
Nathanael Brenner ◽  
John Brice ◽  
Judith Klein-Seetharaman ◽  
Susanta K. Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Bacterial Cells

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes a chemical social networking system referred to as quorum sensing (QS) to strategically co-ordinate the expression of virulence factors and biofilm formation. Virulence attributes damage the host cells, impair the host immune system, and protect bacterial cells from antibiotic attack. Thus, anti-QS agents may act as novel anti-infective therapeutics to treat P. aeruginosa infections. The present study was performed to evaluate the anti-QS, anti-biofilm, and anti-virulence activity of β-lactam antibiotics (carbapenems and cephalosporins) against P. aeruginosa. The anti-QS activity was quantified using Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 as a QS reporter strain. Our results showed that cephalosporins including cefepime (CP), ceftazidime (CF), and ceftriaxone (CT) exhibited potent anti-QS and anti-virulence activities against P. aeruginosa PAO1. These antibiotics significantly impaired motility phenotypes, decreased pyocyanin production, and reduced the biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa PAO1. In the present study, we studied isogenic QS mutants of PAO1: ΔLasR, ΔRhlR, ΔPqsA, and ΔPqsR and found that the levels of virulence factors of antibiotic-treated PAO1 were comparable to QS mutant strains. Molecular docking predicted high binding affinities of cephalosporins for the ligand-binding pocket of QS receptors (CviR, LasR, and PqsR). In addition, our results showed that the anti-microbial activity of aminoglycosides increased in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of CP against P. aeruginosa PAO1. Further, utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model for the in vivo anti-virulence effects of antibiotics, cephalosporins showed a significant increase in C. elegans survival by suppressing virulence factor production in P. aeruginosa. Thus, our results indicate that cephalosporins might provide a viable anti-virulence therapy in the treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals HIF-1α Is Essential for Effective PMN Bacterial Killing, Antimicrobial Peptide Production and Apoptosis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e1003457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Berger ◽  
Sharon A. McClellan ◽  
Kerry S. Vistisen ◽  
Linda D. Hazlett
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Bacterial Killing

scholarly journals The Combination of Fosfomycin plus Meropenem Is Synergistic for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in a Hollow-Fiber Infection Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Drusano ◽  
M. N. Neely ◽  
W. M. Yamada ◽  
Brandon Duncanson ◽  
David Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Hollow Fiber ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Treating high-density bacterial infections is a challenging clinical problem. We have a paucity of new agents that can address this problem. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a particularly difficult pathogen to treat effectively because of the plethora of resistance mechanisms it carries. Fosfomycin is an agent discovered circa 40 years ago. Recently, it has been resurrected in the United States and studied for intravenous therapy. We hypothesized that, to maximize its utility, it would require combination chemotherapy when used in a clinical circumstance in high-bacterial-burden infections. We chose to examine the combination of meropenem plus fosfomycin. These agents were studied in the hollow-fiber infection model. We utilized a fully factorial study design, looking at 2 doses of meropenem alone (1 and 2 g 8-hourly) and two doses of fosfomycin alone (6 and 8 g 8-hourly), as well as all possible combinations plus a no-treatment control. We used a high-dimensional model of 5 inhomogeneous differential equations with 5 system outputs to analyze all data simultaneously. Combination therapy outperformed all monotherapy regimens, with all combinations driving >6 log10 CFU/ml of bacterial killing. Combination therapy was able to counterselect resistance emergence (meropenem mutants being killed by the combination, as well as fosfomycin mutants being killed by the combination) in all regimens studied. The analysis demonstrated that the combination was significantly synergistic for bacterial cell killing and resistance suppression. Meropenem plus fosfomycin is a promising combination for therapy of high-burden Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and requires further study.

scholarly journals Meropenem-Tobramycin Combination Regimens Combat Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Hollow-Fiber Infection Model Simulating Augmented Renal Clearance in Critically Ill Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajbharan Yadav ◽  
Phillip J. Bergen ◽  
Kate E. Rogers ◽  
Carl M. J. Kirkpatrick ◽  
Steven C. Wallis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Hollow Fiber ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Augmented Renal Clearance ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Combination Regimens ◽  
Rapid Regrowth

ABSTRACT Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with subtherapeutic concentrations of renally eliminated antibiotics. We investigated the impact of ARC on bacterial killing and resistance amplification for meropenem and tobramycin regimens in monotherapy and combination. Two carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were studied in static-concentration time-kill studies. One isolate was examined comprehensively in a 7-day hollow-fiber infection model (HFIM). Pharmacokinetic profiles representing substantial ARC (creatinine clearance of 250 ml/min) were generated in the HFIM for meropenem (1 g or 2 g administered every 8 h as 30-min infusion and 3 g/day or 6 g/day as continuous infusion [CI]) and tobramycin (7 mg/kg of body weight every 24 h as 30-min infusion) regimens. The time courses of total and less-susceptible bacterial populations and MICs were determined for the monotherapies and all four combination regimens. Mechanism-based mathematical modeling (MBM) was performed. In the HFIM, maximum bacterial killing with any meropenem monotherapy was ∼3 log10 CFU/ml at 7 h, followed by rapid regrowth with increases in resistant populations by 24 h (meropenem MIC of up to 128 mg/liter). Tobramycin monotherapy produced extensive initial killing (∼7 log10 at 4 h) with rapid regrowth by 24 h, including substantial increases in resistant populations (tobramycin MIC of 32 mg/liter). Combination regimens containing meropenem administered intermittently or as a 3-g/day CI suppressed regrowth for ∼1 to 3 days, with rapid regrowth of resistant bacteria. Only a 6-g/day CI of meropenem combined with tobramycin suppressed regrowth and resistance over 7 days. MBM described bacterial killing and regrowth for all regimens well. The mode of meropenem administration was critical for the combination to be maximally effective against carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Ceramide in bacterial infections and cystic fibrosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 389 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heike Grassmé ◽  
Katrin Anne Becker ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Erich Gulbins
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Acid Sphingomyelinase ◽  
Temporal Organization ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Membrane Domains

AbstractCeramide is formed by the activity of sphingomyelinases, by degradation of complex sphingolipids, reverse ceramidase activity orde novosynthesized. The formation of ceramide within biological membranes results in the formation of large ceramide-enriched membrane domains. These domains serve the spatial and temporal organization of receptors and signaling molecules. The acid sphingomyelinase-ceramide system plays an important role in the infection of mammalian host cells with bacterial pathogens such asNeisseria gonorrhoeae,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeria monocytogenes,Salmonella typhimuriumandPseudomonas aeruginosa. Ceramide and ceramide-enriched membrane platforms are also involved in the induction of apoptosis in infected cells, such as in epithelial and endothelial cells after infection withPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureus, respectively. Finally, ceramide-enriched membrane platforms are critical regulators of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines upon infection. The diverse functions of ceramide in bacterial infections suggest that ceramide and ceramide-enriched membrane domains are key players in host responses to many pathogens and thus are potential novel targets to treat infections.

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