2003 | Morten Hentzer, Hong Wu, Jens Bo Andersen, Kathrin Riedel, Thomas B. Rasmussen, Niels Bagge, Naresh Kumar, Mark A. Schembri, Zhijun Song, Peter Kristoffersen, Mike Manefield, John W. Costerton, Søren Molin, Leo Eberl, Peter Steinberg, Staffan Kjelleberg, Niels Høiby and Michael Givskov
Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication system used by bacteria to coordinate gene expression based on population density. This system is crucial for bacterial virulence, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity. The study investigates the use of quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) to reduce the virulence of *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, an opportunistic human pathogen that causes severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients and those with cystic fibrosis. The research focuses on a synthetic furanone compound, C-30, derived from marine algae, which acts as a potent QS inhibitor.
The study demonstrates that C-30 inhibits QS-controlled gene expression in *P. aeruginosa*, leading to reduced production of virulence factors such as proteases, pyoverdin, and chitinase. This inhibition also increases the susceptibility of *P. aeruginosa* biofilms to antibiotics like tobramycin and SDS. In a mouse model of pulmonary infection, C-30 inhibits QS and enhances the clearance of the bacteria by the host immune system.
Microarray analysis revealed that C-30 targets genes involved in QS regulation, including those encoding enzymes for AHL synthesis and virulence factors. The furanone also represses genes associated with biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. The study shows that C-30 acts at the post-transcriptional level, affecting QS-regulated gene expression without interfering with bacterial growth.
The findings suggest that QS inhibitors like C-30 could be used as a novel therapeutic strategy to combat bacterial infections, particularly those involving biofilms. This approach targets the communication systems of bacteria, reducing their ability to form biofilms and express virulence factors, thereby decreasing the severity of infections. The study highlights the potential of QS inhibitors in various applications, including medicine, agriculture, and food technology, as they offer a targeted method to control bacterial virulence without promoting resistance.Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication system used by bacteria to coordinate gene expression based on population density. This system is crucial for bacterial virulence, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity. The study investigates the use of quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) to reduce the virulence of *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, an opportunistic human pathogen that causes severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients and those with cystic fibrosis. The research focuses on a synthetic furanone compound, C-30, derived from marine algae, which acts as a potent QS inhibitor.
The study demonstrates that C-30 inhibits QS-controlled gene expression in *P. aeruginosa*, leading to reduced production of virulence factors such as proteases, pyoverdin, and chitinase. This inhibition also increases the susceptibility of *P. aeruginosa* biofilms to antibiotics like tobramycin and SDS. In a mouse model of pulmonary infection, C-30 inhibits QS and enhances the clearance of the bacteria by the host immune system.
Microarray analysis revealed that C-30 targets genes involved in QS regulation, including those encoding enzymes for AHL synthesis and virulence factors. The furanone also represses genes associated with biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. The study shows that C-30 acts at the post-transcriptional level, affecting QS-regulated gene expression without interfering with bacterial growth.
The findings suggest that QS inhibitors like C-30 could be used as a novel therapeutic strategy to combat bacterial infections, particularly those involving biofilms. This approach targets the communication systems of bacteria, reducing their ability to form biofilms and express virulence factors, thereby decreasing the severity of infections. The study highlights the potential of QS inhibitors in various applications, including medicine, agriculture, and food technology, as they offer a targeted method to control bacterial virulence without promoting resistance.