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Zheng EJ, Valeri JA, Andrews IW, Krishnan A, Bandyopadhyay P, Anahtar MN, Herneisen A, Schulte F, Linnehan B, Wong F, Stokes JM, Renner LD, Lourido S, Collins JJ. Discovery of antibiotics that selectively kill metabolically dormant bacteria. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:712-728.e9. [PMID: 38029756 PMCID: PMC11031330 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to discover and develop non-toxic antibiotics that are effective against metabolically dormant bacteria, which underlie chronic infections and promote antibiotic resistance. Traditional antibiotic discovery has historically favored compounds effective against actively metabolizing cells, a property that is not predictive of efficacy in metabolically inactive contexts. Here, we combine a stationary-phase screening method with deep learning-powered virtual screens and toxicity filtering to discover compounds with lethality against metabolically dormant bacteria and favorable toxicity profiles. The most potent and structurally distinct compound without any obvious mechanistic liability was semapimod, an anti-inflammatory drug effective against stationary-phase E. coli and A. baumannii. Integrating microbiological assays, biochemical measurements, and single-cell microscopy, we show that semapimod selectively disrupts and permeabilizes the bacterial outer membrane by binding lipopolysaccharide. This work illustrates the value of harnessing non-traditional screening methods and deep learning models to identify non-toxic antibacterial compounds that are effective in infection-relevant contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica J Zheng
- Program in Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jacqueline A Valeri
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ian W Andrews
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Parijat Bandyopadhyay
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Melis N Anahtar
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alice Herneisen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fabian Schulte
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brooke Linnehan
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Felix Wong
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan M Stokes
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Lars D Renner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research and the Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lourido
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Department of Biological Engineering, and Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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2
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Heydarian N, Ferrell M, Nair AS, Roedl C, Peng Z, Nguyen TD, Best W, Wozniak KL, Rice CV. Neutralizing Staphylococcus aureus PAMPs that Trigger Cytokine Release from THP-1 Monocytes. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:10967-10978. [PMID: 38463252 PMCID: PMC10918781 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Innate immunity has considerable specificity and can discriminate between individual species of microbes. In this regard, pathogens are "seen" as dangerous to the host and elicit an inflammatory response capable of destroying the microbes. This immune discrimination is achieved by toll-like receptors on host cells recognizing pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, and microbe-specific pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) molecules, such as lipoteichoic acid (LTA). PAMPs impede wound healing by lengthening the inflammatory phase of healing and contributing to the development of chronic wounds. Preventing PAMPs from triggering the release of inflammatory cytokines will counteract the dysregulation of inflammation. Here, we use ELISA to evaluate the use of cationic molecules branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), PEGylated BPEI (PEG-BPEI), and polymyxin-B to neutralize anionic LTA and lower levels of TNF-α cytokine release from human THP-1 monocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. Additional data collected with qPCR shows that BPEI and PEG-BPEI reduce the expression profile of the TNF-α gene. Similar effects are observed for the neutralization of whole-cell S. aureus bacteria. In vitro cytotoxicity data demonstrate that PEGylation lowers the toxicity of PEG-BPEI (IC50 = 2661 μm) compared to BPEI (IC50 = 853 μM) and that both compounds are orders of magnitude less toxic than the cationic antibiotic polymyxin-B (IC50 = 79 μM). Additionally, the LTA neutralization ability of polymyxin-B is less effective than BPEI or PEG-BPEI. These properties of BPEI and PEG-BPEI expand their utility beyond disabling antibiotic resistance mechanisms and disrupting S. aureus biofilms, providing additional justification for developing these agents as wound healing therapeutics. The multiple mechanisms of action for BPEI and PEG-BPEI are superior to current wound treatment strategies that have a single modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Heydarian
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Maya Ferrell
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Ayesha S. Nair
- Department
of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, 307 Life Sciences East, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Chase Roedl
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Zongkai Peng
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Tra D. Nguyen
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - William Best
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Karen L. Wozniak
- Department
of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, 307 Life Sciences East, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States
| | - Charles V. Rice
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
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3
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Wouters CL, Heydarian N, Pusavat J, Panlilio H, Lam AK, Moen EL, Brennan RE, Rice CV. Breaking membrane barriers to neutralize E. coli and K. pneumoniae virulence with PEGylated branched polyethylenimine. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184172. [PMID: 37201561 PMCID: PMC10330601 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2023.184172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens, such as those in the family Enterobacteriaceae, are among the most difficult to treat because effective therapeutic options are either very limited or non-existent. This raises serious concern regarding the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens in the community setting; and thus, creates the need for discovery efforts and/or early-stage development of novel therapies for infections. Our work is directed towards branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a strategy for targeting virulence from Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Here, we neutralize lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a barrier to the influx of antibiotics. Data demonstrate that the β-lactam antibiotic oxacillin, generally regarded as ineffective against Gram-negative bacteria, can be potentiated by 600 Da BPEI to kill some Escherichia coli and some Klebsiella pneumoniae. Modification of 600 Da BPEI with polyethylene glycol (PEG) could increase drug safety and improves potentiation activity. The ability to use the Gram-positive agent, oxacillin, against Gram-negative pathogens could expand the capability to deliver effective treatments that simplify, reduce, or eliminate some complicated treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L Wouters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America
| | - Neda Heydarian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Pusavat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America
| | - Hannah Panlilio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America
| | - Anh K Lam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America
| | - Erika L Moen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America
| | - Robert E Brennan
- Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, 100 North University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034, United States of America
| | - Charles V Rice
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, United States of America.
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4
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Bhattacharjee B, Basak M, Das G, Ramesh A. Quinoxaline-based membrane-targeting therapeutic material: Implications in rejuvenating antibiotic and curb MRSA invasion in an in vitro bone cell infection model. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 148:213359. [PMID: 36963341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Manifestation of resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) against multiple antibiotics demands an effective strategy to counter the menace of the pathogen. To address this challenge, the current study explores quinoxaline-based synthetic ligands as an adjuvant material to target MRSA in a combination therapy regimen. Amongst the tested ligands (C1-C4), only C2 was bactericidal against the MRSA strain S. aureus 4 s, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 32 μM. C2 displayed a membrane-directed activity and could effectively hinder MRSA biofilm formation. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that C2 downregulated expression of the regulator gene agrC and reduced the fold change in the expression of adhesin genes fnbA and cnbA in MRSA in a dose-dependent manner. C2 enabled a 4-fold reduction in the MIC of ciprofloxacin (CPX) and in presence of 10 μM C2 and 8.0 μM CPX, growth of MRSA was arrested. Furthermore, a combination of 10 μM C2 and 12 μM CPX could strongly inhibit MRSA biofilm formation and reduce biofilm metabolic activity. The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of CPX against S. aureus 4 s biofilm was reduced and a synergy resulted between C2 and CPX. In a combinatorial treatment regimen, C2 could prevent emergence of CPX resistance and arrest growth of MRSA till 360 generations. C2 could also be leveraged in combination treatment (12 μM CPX and 10 μM C2) to target MRSA in an in vitro bone cell infection model, wherein MRSA cell adhesion and invasion onto cultured MG-63 cells was only ~17 % and ~ 0.37 %, respectively. The combinatorial treatment regimen was also biocompatible as the viability of MG-63 cells was high (~ 91 %). Thus, C2 is a promising adjuvant material to counter antibiotic-refractory therapy and mitigate MRSA-mediated bone cell infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basu Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Megha Basak
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Gopal Das
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Aiyagari Ramesh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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5
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Moen EL, Lam AK, Pusavat J, Wouters CL, Panlilio H, Heydarian N, Peng Z, Lan Y, Rice CV. Dimerization of 600 Da branched polyethylenimine improves β-lactam antibiotic potentiation against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 101:489-499. [PMID: 34923750 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the medical field. Drug-susceptible infections are often treated with β-lactam antibiotics, which bind to enzymes known as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). When the PBPs are disabled, the integrity of the cell wall is compromised, leading to cell lysis. Resistance renders β-lactam antibiotics ineffective, and clinicians turn to be more effective, but often more toxic, antibiotics. An alternative approach is combining antibiotics with compounds that disable resistance mechanisms. Previously, we have shown that low-molecular-weight 600 Da branched polyethylenimine restores β-lactam susceptibility to Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens with antibiotic resistance. In this study, this approach is extended to the homodimers of 600 Da BPEI that have improved potentiation properties compared to monomers of 600 Da BPEI and 1200 Da BPEI. The homodimers are synthesized by linking two 600 Da BPEI molecules with methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA). The resulting product was characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, 1 H NMR spectroscopy, checkerboard microbroth dilution assays, and cell toxicity assays. These data show that the 600 Da BPEI homodimer is more effective than 1200 Da BPEI toward the potentiation of oxacillin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and the potentiation of piperacillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik L Moen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Anh K Lam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Jennifer Pusavat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Cassandra L Wouters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Hannah Panlilio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Neda Heydarian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Zongkai Peng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Yunpeng Lan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Charles V Rice
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
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6
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Heydarian N, Wouters CL, Neel A, Ferrell M, Panlilio H, Haight T, Gu T, Rice CV. Eradicating Biofilms of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae by Simultaneously Dispersing the Biomass and Killing Planktonic Bacteria with PEGylated Branched Polyethyleneimine. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200428. [PMID: 36542457 PMCID: PMC9899318 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are emerging pathogens that cause variety of severe infections. CRE evade antibiotic treatments because these bacteria produce enzymes that degrade a wide range of antibiotics including carbapenems and β-lactams. The formation of biofilms aggravates CRE infections, especially in a wound environment. These difficulties lead to persistent infection and non-healing wounds. This creates the need for new compounds to overcome CRE antimicrobial resistance and disrupt biofilms. Recent studies in our lab show that 600 Da branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) and its derivative PEG350-BPEI can overcome antimicrobial resistance and eradicate biofilms in methicillin-resistant S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli. In this study, the ability of 600 Da BPEI and PEG350-BPEI to eradicate carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria and their biofilms is demonstrated. We show that both BPEI and PEG350-BPEI have anti-biofilm efficacy against CRE strains expressing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), such as New Delhi MBL (NDM-1). Furthermore, our results illustrate that BPEI affects planktonic CRE bacteria by increasing bacterial length and width from the inability to proceed with normal cell division processes. These data demonstrate the multi-functional properties of 600 Da BPEI and PEG350-BPEI to reduce biofilm formation and mitigate virulence in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Heydarian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Cassandra L. Wouters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Andrew Neel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Maya Ferrell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Hannah Panlilio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Tristan Haight
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
| | - Tingting Gu
- Department of Biology, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Room 314, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Charles V. Rice
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019
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7
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Panlilio H, Neel A, Heydarian N, Best W, Atkins I, Boris A, Bui M, Dick C, Ferrell M, Gu T, Haight T, Roedl CC, Rice CV. Antibiofilm Activity of PEGylated Branched Polyethylenimine. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:44825-44835. [PMID: 36530285 PMCID: PMC9753512 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm formation is an adaptive resistance mechanism that pathogens employ to survive in the presence of antimicrobials. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious Gram-negative bacterium whose biofilm allows it to withstand antimicrobial attack and threaten human health. Chronic wound healing is often impeded by P. aeruginosa infections and the associated biofilms. Previous findings demonstrate that 600 Da branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) can restore β-lactam potency against P. aeruginosa and disrupt its biofilms. Toxicity concerns of 600 Da BPEI are mitigated by covalent linkage with low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (PEG), and, in this study, PEGylated BPEI (PEG350-BPEI) was found exhibit superior antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa. The antibiofilm activity of both 600 Da BPEI and its PEG derivative was characterized with fluorescence studies and microscopy imaging. We also describe a variation of the colony biofilm model that was employed to evaluate the biofilm disruption activity of BPEI and PEG-BPEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Panlilio
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Andrew Neel
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Neda Heydarian
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - William Best
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Isaac Atkins
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Andrew Boris
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Maggie Bui
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Catherine Dick
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Maya Ferrell
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Tingting Gu
- Department
of Biology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, Room 314, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Tristan Haight
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Chase C. Roedl
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
| | - Charles V. Rice
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73069, United States
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8
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Kopiasz RJ, Kulbacka N, Drężek K, Podgórski R, Łojszczyk I, Mierzejewska J, Ciach T, Augustynowicz-Kopeć E, Głogowska A, Iwańska A, Tomaszewski W, Jańczewski D. Influence of PEG Subunit on the Biological Activity of Ionenes: Synthesis of Novel Polycations, Antimicrobial and Toxicity Studies. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200094. [PMID: 35524947 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An alarming increase of antibiotic resistance among pathogens creates an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial agents. Many reported polycations show high antimicrobial activity along with low hemolytic activity. Unfortunately, most of those molecules remain highly cytotoxic against various mammalian cells. In this work, we present a systematic study on the impact of triethylene glycol monomethyl ether side groups (short PEG analog) on antimicrobial, hemolytic, and cytotoxic properties of novel amphiphilic ionenes. A detailed description of synthesis, leading to well-defined alternating polymers, which differ in structural elements responsible for hydrophilicity (PEG) and hydrophobicity (alkyl chain), is presented. Obtained results show that the PEG moiety and fine-tuned hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of ionenes synergistically lead to low-cytotoxic, low-hemolytic molecules with high activity against S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). Additionally, the results of mechanistic studies on bacterial cells and fluorescently labeled liposomes are also discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał J Kopiasz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Natalia Kulbacka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Karolina Drężek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Ilona Łojszczyk
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Jolanta Mierzejewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ciach
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Waryńskiego 1, Warsaw, 00-645, Poland
| | - Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Głogowska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Iwańska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Płocka 26, Warsaw, 01-138, Poland
| | - Waldemar Tomaszewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
| | - Dominik Jańczewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, Warsaw, 00-664, Poland
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9
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Panlilio H, Lam AK, Heydarian N, Haight T, Wouters CL, Moen EL, Rice CV. Dual-Function Potentiation by PEG-BPEI Restores Activity of Carbapenems and Penicillins against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1657-1665. [PMID: 33945257 PMCID: PMC8689638 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The rise of life-threatening carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections has become a critical medical threat. Some of the most dangerous CRE bacteria can produce enzymes that degrade a wide range of antibiotics, including carbapenems and β-lactams. Infections by CRE have a high mortality rate, and survivors can have severe morbidity from treatment with toxic last-resort antibiotics. CRE have mobile genetic elements that transfer resistance genes to other species. These bacteria also circulate throughout the healthcare system. The mobility and spread of CRE need to be curtailed, but these goals are impeded by having few agents that target a limited range of pathogenic CRE species. Against CRE possessing the metallo-β-lactamase NDM-1, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2146 and Escherichia coli ATCC BAA-2452, the potentiation of meropenem and imipenem is possible with low-molecular weight branched polyethylenimine (600 Da BPEI) and its poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)ylated derivative (PEG-BPEI) that has a low in vivo toxicity. The mechanism of action is elucidated with fluorescence assays of drug influx and isothermal calorimetry data showing the chelation of essential Zn2+ ions. These results suggested that 600 Da BPEI and PEG-BPEI may also improve the uptake of antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors. Indeed, the CRE E. coli strain is rendered susceptible to the combination of piperacillin and tazobactam. These results expand the possible utility of 600 Da BPEI potentiators, where previously we have demonstrated the ability to improve antibiotic efficacy against antibiotic resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Panlilio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Anh K Lam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Neda Heydarian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Tristan Haight
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Cassandra L Wouters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Erika L Moen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
| | - Charles V Rice
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, United States
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