Small molecule screen yields inhibitors of pseudomonas homoserine lactone-induced host responses.

Authors:
Valentine CD, Zhang H, Phuan PW, Nguyen J, Verkman AS, Haggie PM.
In:
Source: Cell Microbiol
Publication Date: (2014)
Issue: 16(1): 1-14
Research Area:
Basic Research
Cells used in publication:
Embryonic fibroblast, mouse (MEF) immort
Species: mouse
Tissue Origin: embryo
Macrophage, human
Species: human
Tissue Origin: blood
FRT
Species: rat
Tissue Origin: thyroid
Embryonic fibroblast, mouse (MEF)primary
Species: mouse
Tissue Origin: embryo
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are commonly associated with cystic fibrosis, pneumonias, neutropenia and burns. The P.?aeruginosa quorum sensing molecule N-(3-oxo-dodecanoyl) homoserine lactone (C12) cause multiple deleterious host responses, including repression of NF-?B transcriptional activity and apoptosis. Inhibition of C12-mediated host responses is predicted to reduce P.?aeruginosa virulence. We report here a novel, host-targeted approach for potential adjunctive anti-Pseudomonal therapy based on inhibition of C12-mediated host responses. A high-throughput screen was developed to identify C12 inhibitors that restore NF-?B activity in C12-treated, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells. Triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines with nanomolar potency were identified as C12-inhibitors that restore NF-?B-dependent luciferase expression in LPS- and TNF-stimulated cell lines. In primary macrophages and fibroblasts, triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines inhibited C12 action to restore cytokine secretion in LPS-stimulated cells. Serendipitously, in the absence of an inflammatory stimulus, triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines prevented C12-mediated responses, including cytotoxicity, elevation of cytoplasmic calcium, and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. In vivo efficacy was demonstrated in a murine model of dermal inflammation involving intradermalC12 administration. The discovery of triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines provides a pharmacological tool to investigate C12-mediated host responses, and a potential host-targeted anti-Pseudomonal therapy.