1
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Engida HA, Gathungu DK, Ferede MM, Belay MA, Kawe PC, Mataru B. Optimal control and cost-effectiveness analysis for the human melioidosis model. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26487. [PMID: 38434022 PMCID: PMC10906177 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In this work, we formulated and investigated an optimal control problem of the melioidosis epidemic to explain the effectiveness of time-dependent control functions in controlling the spread of the epidemic. The basic reproduction number ( R 0 c ) with control measures is obtained, using the next-generation matrix approach and the impact of the controls on R 0 c is illustrated numerically. The optimal control problem is analyzed using Pontryagin's maximum principle to derive the optimality system. The optimality system is simulated using the forward-backward sweep method based on the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method in the MATLAB program to illustrate the impact of all the possible combinations of the control interventions on the transmission dynamics of the disease. The numerical results indicate that among strategies considered, strategy C is shown to be the most effective in reducing the number of infectious classes compared to both strategy A and strategy B. Furthermore, we carried out a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine the most cost-effective strategy and the result indicated that the strategy B (treatment control strategy) should be recommended to mitigate the spread and impact of the disease regarding the costs of the strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habtamu Ayalew Engida
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Debre Markos University, P.O. Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Duncan Kioi Gathungu
- Department of Mathematics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200 City Square, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Malede Atnaw Belay
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Patiene Chouop Kawe
- Department of Mathematics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200 City Square, Nairobi, Kenya
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2
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Agrawal P, Kumari S, Mohmmed A, Malhotra P, Sharma U, Sahal D. Identification of Novel, Potent, and Selective Compounds against Malaria Using Glideosomal-Associated Protein 50 as a Drug Target. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:38506-38523. [PMID: 37867646 PMCID: PMC10586260 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Phylum apicomplexan consists of parasites, such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma. These obligate intracellular parasites enter host cells via an energy-dependent process using specialized machinery, called the glideosome. In the present study, we used Plasmodium falciparum GAP50, a glideosome-associated protein, as a target to screen 951 different compounds from diverse chemical libraries. Using different screening methods, eight compounds (Hayatinine, Curine, MMV689758 (Bedaquiline), MMV1634402 (Brilacidin), and MMV688271, MMV782353, MMV642550, and USINB4-124-8) were identified, which showed promising binding affinity (KD < 75 μM), along with submicromolar range antiparasitic efficacy and selectivity index > 100 fold for malaria parasite. These eight compounds were effective against Chloroquine-resistant PfINDO and Artemisinin-resistant PfCam3.1R359T strains. Studies on the effect of these compounds at asexual blood stages showed that these eight compounds act differently at different developmental stages, indicating the binding of these compounds to other Plasmodium proteins, in addition to PfGAP50. We further studied the effects of compounds (Bedaquiline and USINB4-124-8) in an in vivoPlasmodium berghei mouse model of malaria. Importantly, the oral delivery of Bedaquiline (50 mg/kg b. wt.) showed substantial suppression of parasitemia, and three out of seven mice were cured of the infection. Thus, our study provides new scaffolds for the development of antimalarials that can act at multiple Plasmodium lifecycle stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakhar Agrawal
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Surekha Kumari
- Chemical
Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan
Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Asif Mohmmed
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Upendra Sharma
- Chemical
Technology Division, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan
Bioresource Technology, Palampur 176061, India
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Dinkar Sahal
- International
Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
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3
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Whelan AO, Cooper I, Ooi N, Orr D, Blades K, Kirkham J, Lyons A, Barnes KB, Richards MI, Salisbury AM, Craighead M, Harding SV. In Vitro Activity of Novel Topoisomerase Inhibitors against Francisella tularensis and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:983. [PMID: 37370302 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12060983] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue, and the investigation of alternative therapies that are not traditional antibiotics are warranted. Novel bacterial type II topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs) have recently emerged as a novel class of antibiotics with reduced potential for cross-resistance to fluoroquinolones due to their novel mechanism of action. This study investigated the in vitro activity of a series of cyclohexyl-oxazolidinone bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors against type strains of Francisella tularensis and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Broth microdilution, time-kill, and cell infection assays were performed to determine activity against these biothreat pathogens. Two candidates were identified that demonstrated in vitro activity in multiple assays that in some instances was equivalent to ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. These data warrant the further evaluation of these novel NBTIs and future iterations in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam O Whelan
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Ian Cooper
- Infex Therapeutics Ltd., Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Nicola Ooi
- Infex Therapeutics Ltd., Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - David Orr
- Infex Therapeutics Ltd., Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Kevin Blades
- Infex Therapeutics Ltd., Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - James Kirkham
- Infex Therapeutics Ltd., Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Amanda Lyons
- Redx Anti-Infectives Ltd., Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Kay B Barnes
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Mark I Richards
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
| | | | - Mark Craighead
- Redx Anti-Infectives Ltd., Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Sarah V Harding
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
- School of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
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4
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Personnic N, Doublet P, Jarraud S. Intracellular persister: A stealth agent recalcitrant to antibiotics. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1141868. [PMID: 37065203 PMCID: PMC10102521 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1141868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The bulk of bacteria transiently evading appropriate antibiotic regimes and recovered from non-resolutive infections are commonly refer to as persisters. In this mini-review, we discuss how antibiotic persisters stem from the interplay between the pathogen and the cellular defenses mechanisms and its underlying heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Personnic
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, CNRS UMR 5308, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Group Persistence and Single-Cell Dynamics of Respiratory Pathogens, Lyon, France
- *Correspondence: Nicolas Personnic,
| | - Patricia Doublet
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, CNRS UMR 5308, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Group Legionella Pathogenesis, Lyon, France
| | - Sophie Jarraud
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, CNRS UMR 5308, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Group Legionella Pathogenesis, Lyon, France
- National Reference Centre for Legionella, Institute of Infectious Agents, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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5
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Shi X, Zarkan A. Bacterial survivors: evaluating the mechanisms of antibiotic persistence. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 36748698 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria withstand antibiotic onslaughts by employing a variety of strategies, one of which is persistence. Persistence occurs in a bacterial population where a subpopulation of cells (persisters) survives antibiotic treatment and can regrow in a drug-free environment. Persisters may cause the recalcitrance of infectious diseases and can be a stepping stone to antibiotic resistance, so understanding persistence mechanisms is critical for therapeutic applications. However, current understanding of persistence is pervaded by paradoxes that stymie research progress, and many aspects of this cellular state remain elusive. In this review, we summarize the putative persister mechanisms, including toxin-antitoxin modules, quorum sensing, indole signalling and epigenetics, as well as the reasons behind the inconsistent body of evidence. We highlight present limitations in the field and underscore a clinical context that is frequently neglected, in the hope of supporting future researchers in examining clinically important persister mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Shi
- Cambridge Centre for International Research, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Ashraf Zarkan
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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6
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Subtractive proteomic analysis for identification of potential drug targets and vaccine candidates against Burkholderia pseudomallei K96243. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.101127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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7
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Engida HA, Theuri DM, Gathungu D, Gachohi J, Alemneh HT. A mathematical model analysis of the human melioidosis transmission dynamics with an asymptomatic case. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11720. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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8
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Bourgard C, Rodríguez-Hernández D, Rudenko A, Rutgersson C, Palm M, Larsson DGJ, Farewell A, Grøtli M, Sunnerhagen P. Development of Dicationic Bisguanidine-Arylfuran Derivatives as Potent Agents against Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081115. [PMID: 36009984 PMCID: PMC9404985 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance among bacteria is a growing global challenge. A major reason for this is the limited progress in developing new classes of antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we investigate the antibacterial activity of a dicationic bisguanidine-arylfuran, originally developed as an antitrypanosomal agent, and new derivatives thereof. The compounds showed good activity (EC50 2–20 µM) against antibiotic-resistant isolates of the Gram-negative members of the ESKAPE group (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.) and Escherichia coli with different antibiotic susceptibility patterns, including ESBL isolates. Cytotoxicity was moderate, and several of the new derivatives were less cytotoxic than the lead molecule, offering better selectivity indices (40–80 for several ESKAPE isolates). The molecular mechanism for the antibacterial activity of these molecules is unknown, but sensitivity profiling against human ESKAPE isolates and E. coli collections with known susceptibility patterns against established antibiotics indicates that it is distinct from lactam and quinolone antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Bourgard
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Diego Rodríguez-Hernández
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Rudenko
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carolin Rutgersson
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, S-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Martin Palm
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - D. G. Joakim Larsson
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, S-413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anne Farewell
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Morten Grøtli
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (P.S.)
| | - Per Sunnerhagen
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, S-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (P.S.)
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9
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Barnes KB, Richards MI, Burgess G, Armstrong SJ, Bentley C, Maishman TC, Laws TR, Nelson M, Harding SV. Investigation of a combination therapy approach for the treatment of melioidosis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:934312. [PMID: 36051754 PMCID: PMC9424925 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.934312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of finafloxacin as a component of a layered defense treatment regimen was determined in vitro and in vivo against an infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei. Doxycycline was down-selected from a panel of antibiotics evaluated in vitro and used in combination with finafloxacin in a Balb/c mouse model of inhalational melioidosis. When treatment was initiated at 24 h post-infection with B. pseudomallei, there were no differences in the level of protection offered by finafloxacin or doxycycline (as monotherapies) when compared to the combination therapy. There was evidence for improved bacterial control in the groups treated with finafloxacin (as monotherapies or in combination with doxycycline) when compared to mice treated with doxycycline. Survival comparisons of finafloxacin and doxycycline (as monotherapies) or in combination initiated at 36 h post-infection indicated that finafloxacin was superior to doxycycline. Doxycycline was also unable to control the levels of bacteria within tissues to the extent that doxycycline and finafloxacin used in combination or finafloxacin (as a sole therapy) could. In summary, finafloxacin is a promising therapy for use in the event of exposure to B. pseudomallei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay B. Barnes
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Mark I. Richards
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Gary Burgess
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J. Armstrong
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Thomas C. Maishman
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas R. Laws
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Nelson
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah V. Harding
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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10
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Liu Y, Lu Y, Xu Z, Ma X, Chen X, Liu W. Repurposing of the gold drug auranofin and a review of its derivatives as antibacterial therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1961-1973. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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11
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Porges E, Jenner D, Taylor AW, Harrison JS, De Grazia A, Hailes AR, Wright KM, Whelan AO, Norville IH, Prior JL, Mahajan S, Rowland CA, Newman TA, Evans ND. Antibiotic-Loaded Polymersomes for Clearance of Intracellular Burkholderia thailandensis. ACS NANO 2021; 15:19284-19297. [PMID: 34739227 PMCID: PMC7612142 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Melioidosis caused by the facultative intracellular pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei is difficult to treat due to poor intracellular bioavailability of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. In the absence of novel compounds, polymersome (PM) encapsulation may increase the efficacy of existing antibiotics and reduce antibiotic resistance by promoting targeted, infection-specific intracellular uptake. In this study, we developed PMs composed of widely available poly(ethylene oxide)-polycaprolactone block copolymers and demonstrated their delivery to intracellular B. thailandensis infection using multispectral imaging flow cytometry (IFC) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy. Antibiotics were tightly sequestered in PMs and did not inhibit the growth of free-living B. thailandensis. However, on uptake of antibiotic-loaded PMs by infected macrophages, IFC demonstrated PM colocalization with intracellular B. thailandensis and a significant inhibition of their growth. We conclude that PMs are a viable approach for the targeted antibiotic treatment of persistent intracellular Burkholderia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Porges
- Bioengineering Sciences Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Bone and Joint Research Group, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD,United Kingdom
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Jenner
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Adam W. Taylor
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - James S.P. Harrison
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio De Grazia
- Bioengineering Sciences Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Alethia R. Hailes
- Bioengineering Sciences Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Bone and Joint Research Group, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD,United Kingdom
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley M. Wright
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Adam O. Whelan
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel H. Norville
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Joann L. Prior
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sumeet Mahajan
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline A. Rowland
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey A. Newman
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas D. Evans
- Bioengineering Sciences Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Bone and Joint Research Group, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, SO16 6YD,United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
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12
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New Auranofin Analogs with Antibacterial Properties against Burkholderia Clinical Isolates. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10121443. [PMID: 34943654 PMCID: PMC8697972 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Burkholderia include pathogenic Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia pseudomallei and the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). These Gram-negative pathogens have intrinsic drug resistance, which makes treatment of infections difficult. Bcc affects individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the species B. cenocepacia is associated with one of the worst clinical outcomes. Following the repurposing of auranofin as an antibacterial against Gram-positive bacteria, we previously synthetized auranofin analogs with activity against Gram-negatives. In this work, we show that two auranofin analogs, MS-40S and MS-40, have antibiotic activity against Burkholderia clinical isolates. The compounds are bactericidal against B. cenocepacia and kill stationary-phase cells and persisters without selecting for multistep resistance. Caenorhabditis elegans and Galleria mellonella tolerated high concentrations of MS-40S and MS-40, demonstrating that these compounds have low toxicity in these model organisms. In summary, we show that MS-40 and MS-40S have antimicrobial properties that warrant further investigations to determine their therapeutic potential against Burkholderia infections.
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13
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New Auranofin Analogs with Antibacterial Properties against Burkholderia Clinical Isolates. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021. [PMID: 34943654 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121443/s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Burkholderia include pathogenic Burkholderia mallei, Burkholderia pseudomallei and the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). These Gram-negative pathogens have intrinsic drug resistance, which makes treatment of infections difficult. Bcc affects individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the species B. cenocepacia is associated with one of the worst clinical outcomes. Following the repurposing of auranofin as an antibacterial against Gram-positive bacteria, we previously synthetized auranofin analogs with activity against Gram-negatives. In this work, we show that two auranofin analogs, MS-40S and MS-40, have antibiotic activity against Burkholderia clinical isolates. The compounds are bactericidal against B. cenocepacia and kill stationary-phase cells and persisters without selecting for multistep resistance. Caenorhabditis elegans and Galleria mellonella tolerated high concentrations of MS-40S and MS-40, demonstrating that these compounds have low toxicity in these model organisms. In summary, we show that MS-40 and MS-40S have antimicrobial properties that warrant further investigations to determine their therapeutic potential against Burkholderia infections.
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14
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Tadele M, Abay SM, Asaga P, Makonnen E, Hailu A. In vitro growth inhibitory activity of Medicines for Malaria Venture pathogen box compounds against Leishmania aethiopica. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 22:71. [PMID: 34784983 PMCID: PMC8594108 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-021-00538-2] [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: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Leishmania aethiopica (L. aethiopica) is responsible for different forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ethiopia. Treatment heavily depends on limited drugs, together with drawbacks like toxicity and microbial resistance. The current research aimed to investigate in vitro growth inhibitory activity of Medicines for Malaria Ventures - Pathogen Box (MMV - PB) compounds against L. aethiopica clinical isolate. Methodology Four hundred MMV – PB compounds were screened against L. aethiopica using resazurin based colourimetric assay. Compounds with > 70% inhibition were further tested using macrophage based intracellular amastigote assay. Cytotoxic and hemolytic activity of candidate hits were assessed on THP1- cells and sheep red blood cells (RBCs), respectively. In vitro drug interaction study was also conducted for the most potent hit using the combination index method. Results At the test concentration of 1 μM, twenty-three compounds showed > 50% inhibition of promastigotes parasite growth, of which 11 compounds showed > 70% inhibition. The 50% growth inhibition (IC50) of the 11 compounds was ranged from 0.024 to 0.483 μM in anti-promastigote assay and from 0.064 to 0.899 μM in intracellular amastigote assay. Candidate compounds demonstrated good safety on sheep RBCs and THP-1 cell lines. MMV688415 demonstrated a slight hemolytic activity on sheep RBC (5.3% at 25 μM) and THP-1 cell line (CC20 = 25 μM) while MMV690102 inhibited half of THP-1 cells at 36.5 μM (selectivity index = 478). No synergistic activity was observed from the combinations of MMV690102 and amphotericin B (CI > 1), and MMV690102 and Pentamidine (CI > 1) at lower and higher combination points. Conclusion The present study identified a panel of compounds that can be used as a novel starting point for lead optimization. MMV690102 appears to be the most potent inhibitor against L. aethiopica promastigotes and amastigotes. Future works should investigate the antileishmanial mechanism of action and in vivo antileishmanial activities of identified hits. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40360-021-00538-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markos Tadele
- Animal Health Research Program, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holetta, Ethiopia.
| | - Solomon M Abay
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Peter Asaga
- Institute of Human Virology, University Freiburg Medical Centre, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eyasu Makonnen
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Asrat Hailu
- Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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15
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Drug screening to identify compounds to act as co-therapies for the treatment of Burkholderia species. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248119. [PMID: 33764972 PMCID: PMC7993816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a soil-dwelling organism present throughout the tropics. It is the causative agent of melioidosis, a disease that is believed to kill 89,000 people per year. It is naturally resistant to many antibiotics, requiring at least two weeks of intravenous treatment with ceftazidime, imipenem or meropenem followed by 6 months of orally delivered co-trimoxazole. This places a large treatment burden on the predominantly middle-income nations where the majority of disease occurs. We have established a high-throughput assay for compounds that could be used as a co-therapy to potentiate the effect of ceftazidime, using the related non-pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis as a surrogate. Optimization of the assay gave a Z’ factor of 0.68. We screened a library of 61,250 compounds and identified 29 compounds with a pIC50 (-log10(IC50)) greater than five. Detailed investigation allowed us to down select to six “best in class” compounds, which included the licensed drug chloroxine. Co-treatment of B. thailandensis with ceftazidime and chloroxine reduced culturable cell numbers by two orders of magnitude over 48 hours, compared to treatment with ceftazidime alone. Hit expansion around chloroxine was performed using commercially available compounds. Minor modifications to the structure abolished activity, suggesting that chloroxine likely acts against a specific target. Finally, an initial study demonstrates the utility of chloroxine to act as a co-therapy to potentiate the effect of ceftazidime against B. pseudomallei. This approach successfully identified potential co-therapies for a recalcitrant Gram-negative bacterial species. Our assay could be used more widely to aid in chemotherapy to treat infections caused by these bacteria.
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16
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Burnard D, Robertson G, Henderson A, Falconer C, Bauer MJ, Cottrell K, Gassiep I, Norton R, Paterson DL, Harris PNA. Burkholderia pseudomallei Clinical Isolates Are Highly Susceptible In Vitro to Cefiderocol, a Siderophore Cephalosporin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 65:e00685-20. [PMID: 33168603 PMCID: PMC7848980 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00685-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cefiderocol is a cephalosporin designed to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. By forming a chelated complex with ferric iron, cefiderocol is transported into the periplasmic space via bacterial iron transport systems and primarily binds to penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3) to inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis. This mode of action results in cefiderocol having greater in vitro activity against many Gram-negative bacilli than currently used carbapenems, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, and cephalosporins. Thus, we investigated the in vitro activity of cefiderocol against a total of 246 clinical isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei from Queensland, Australia. The collection was composed primarily of bloodstream (56.1%), skin and soft tissue (16.3%), and respiratory (15.9%) isolates. MICs of cefiderocol ranged from ≤0.03 to 16 mg/liter, whereas the MIC90 was 0.125 mg/liter. Based upon CLSI clinical breakpoints for cefiderocol against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, three isolates (1.2%) would be classified as nonsusceptible (MIC > 4 mg/liter). Using EUCAST non-species-specific (pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic [PK/PD]) clinical breakpoints or those set for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, four isolates (1.6%) would be resistant (MIC > 2 mg/liter). Further testing for coresistance to meropenem, ceftazidime, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and doxycycline was performed on the four isolates with elevated cefiderocol MICs (>2 mg/liter); all isolates exhibited resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, while three isolates also displayed resistance to at least one other antimicrobial. Cefiderocol was found to be highly active in vitro against B. pseudomallei primary clinical isolates. This compound shows great potential for the treatment of melioidosis in countries of endemicity and should be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaney Burnard
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gemma Robertson
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Henderson
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland Health, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Caitlin Falconer
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michelle J Bauer
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kyra Cottrell
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian Gassiep
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert Norton
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - David L Paterson
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Patrick N A Harris
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Pathology Queensland, Queensland Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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Amiss AS, Webb JR, Mayo M, Currie BJ, Craik DJ, Henriques ST, Lawrence N. Safer In Vitro Drug Screening Models for Melioidosis Therapy Development. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1846-1851. [PMID: 32975176 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the Gram-negative soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Current antibiotic regimens used to treat melioidosis are prolonged and expensive, and often ineffective because of intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance. Efforts to develop new treatments for melioidosis are limited by the risks associated with handling pathogenic B. pseudomallei, which restricts research to facilities with biosafety level three containment. Closely related nonpathogenic Burkholderia can be investigated under less stringent biosafety level two containment, and we hypothesized that they could be used as model organisms for developing therapies that would also be effective against B. pseudomallei. We used microbroth dilution assays to compare drug susceptibility profiles of three B. pseudomallei strains and five nonpathogenic Burkholderia strains. Burkholderia humptydooensis, Burkholderia thailandensis, and Burkholderia territorii had similar susceptibility profiles to pathogenic B. pseudomallei that support their potential as safer in vitro models for developing new melioidosis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Amiss
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jessica R Webb
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Mark Mayo
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Bart J Currie
- Northern Territory Medical Program, Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Australia.,Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sónia Troeira Henriques
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Healthy and Biomedical Innovation, and Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicole Lawrence
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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18
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Ross BN, Thiriot JD, Wilson SM, Torres AG. Predicting toxins found in toxin-antitoxin systems with a role in host-induced Burkholderia pseudomallei persistence. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16923. [PMID: 33037311 PMCID: PMC7547725 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73887-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bpm) is a bacterial pathogen that causes Melioidosis, a disease with up to 40% mortality and an infection relapse of 15-23% despite antibiotic treatment. Ineffective clearance of Bpm by antibiotics is believed to be due to persistence, a hibernation-like survival mechanism modulated, in part, by toxin-antitoxin systems (TAS). Several organisms possess a repertoire of TASs but defining environmental cues eliciting their activity is hindered by laborious in vitro experiments, especially when there are many toxins with redundant function. Here, we identified which of 103 proteins in Bpm that share features found in toxins of the TAS and repurposed transcriptional data to identify which ones play a role in surviving intracellular host defenses. Putative toxins with the strongest transcriptional response were found to have low conservation between Bpm strains, while toxins that were constitutively expressed were highly conserved. Further examination of highly conserved toxins BPSS0899, BPSS1321, and BPSL1494 showed that they were functional, and their mutation led to reduce survival within macrophages and reduced in vivo persistence-associated pathology (abscesses) during treatment, but did not affect macrophages persistence. These findings highlight the utility of a data-driven approach to select putative toxins and suggests a selective role for some TAS in host survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N Ross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Joseph D Thiriot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Shane M Wilson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Alfredo G Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Tapia D, Sanchez-Villamil JI, Torres AG. Emerging role of biologics for the treatment of melioidosis and glanders. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 19:1319-1332. [PMID: 31590578 PMCID: PMC6981286 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1677602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Two important pathogenic species within the genus Burkholderia, namely Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bpm) and Burkholderia mallei (Bm), are the causative agents of the life-threatening diseases melioidosis and glanders, respectively. Due to their high mortality rate and potential for aerosolization, they have gained interest as potential biothreat agents and are classified as Tier 1 Select Agents.Areas covered: The manuscript provides an overview of the literature covering the efforts taken in the last 10 years to develop new therapeutics measures against both Bpm and Bm, with attention on novel therapeutic agents.Expert Opinion: As a result of the complicated antibiotic regimens necessary to treat these infections, development of novel therapeutics is needed to treat both diseases. In recent years, the understanding of the pathogenesis of Burkholderia has improved significantly and so have the efforts to develop novel therapeutic agents with high efficacy, either alone, or in combination with conventional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Tapia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Javier I. Sanchez-Villamil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alfredo G. Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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20
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Mi-ichi F, Ishikawa T, Tam VK, Deloer S, Hamano S, Hamada T, Yoshida H. Characterization of Entamoeba histolytica adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase; validation as a target and provision of leads for the development of new drugs against amoebiasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007633. [PMID: 31425516 PMCID: PMC6715247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica infection, is a global public health problem. However, available drugs to treat amoebiasis are currently limited, and no effective vaccine exists. Therefore, development of new preventive measures against amoebiasis is urgently needed. Methodology/Principal findings Here, to develop new drugs against amoebiasis, we focused on E. histolytica adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate kinase (EhAPSK), an essential enzyme in Entamoeba sulfolipid metabolism. Fatty alcohol disulfates and cholesteryl sulfate, sulfolipids synthesized in Entamoeba, play important roles in trophozoite proliferation and cyst formation. These processes are closely associated with clinical manifestation and severe pathogenesis of amoebiasis and with disease transmission, respectively. We validated a combination approach of in silico molecular docking analysis and an in vitro enzyme activity assay for large scale screening. Docking simulation ranked the binding free energy between a homology modeling structure of EhAPSK and 400 compounds. The 400 compounds were also screened by a 96-well plate-based in vitro APSK activity assay. Among fifteen compounds identified as EhAPSK inhibitors by the in vitro system, six were ranked by the in silico analysis as having high affinity toward EhAPSK. Furthermore, 2-(3-fluorophenoxy)-N-[4-(2-pyridyl)thiazol-2-yl]-acetamide, 3-phenyl-N-[4-(2-pyridyl)thiazol-2-yl]-imidazole-4-carboxamide, and auranofin, which were identified as EhAPSK inhibitors by both in silico and in vitro analyses, halted not only Entamoeba trophozoite proliferation but also cyst formation. These three compounds also dose-dependently impaired the synthesis of sulfolipids in E. histolytica. Conclusions/Significance Hence, the combined approach of in silico and in vitro-based EhAPSK analyses identified compounds that can be evaluated for their effects on Entamoeba. This can provide leads for the development of new anti-amoebic and amoebiasis transmission-blocking drugs. This strategy can also be applied to identify specific APSK inhibitors, which will benefit research into sulfur metabolism and the ubiquitous pathway terminally synthesizing essential sulfur-containing biomolecules. Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica that is an important health problem worldwide because of high morbidity and mortality rates. However, clinical options are inadequate; therefore, developing new preventive measures, such as anti-amoebic drugs, is urgently needed. In general, for the development of new drugs, the identification of appropriate leads and targets is a prerequisite. Here, to develop new drugs against amoebiasis, we focused on E. histolytica adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate kinase (EhAPSK), an essential enzyme in sulfur metabolism. An EhAPSK-based combination approach of computer-based in silico and laboratory-based in vitro analyses enabled us to screen 400 chemicals, from which we identified 15 that inhibit EhAPSK activity. Furthermore, among them, three compounds halted biological processes in Entamoeba that are closely associated with the clinical manifestation and pathogenesis of amoebiasis and with disease transmission. Hence, this study provides leads as well as a target for the development of new drugs against amoebiasis. This study also provides a basis to identify inhibitors for use in the study of sulfur metabolism, an important topic in general biochemistry and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumika Mi-ichi
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Nabeshima, Saga, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Vo Kha Tam
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Nabeshima, Saga, Japan
| | - Sharmina Deloer
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Nabeshima, Saga, Japan
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hamada
- Nagasaki Advanced Computing Center, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yoshida
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunoscience, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Nabeshima, Saga, Japan
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Exploitation of the bilosome platform technology to formulate antibiotics and enhance efficacy of melioidosis treatments. J Control Release 2019; 298:202-212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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