No abstract

Lung infections cause prolonged immune alterations and elevated susceptibility to secondary pneumonia. We found that, after resolution of primary viral or bacterial pneumonia, dendritic cells (DC), and macrophages exhibited poor antigen-presentation capacity and secretion of immunogenic cytokines. Development of these "paralyzed" DCs and macrophages depended on the immunosuppressive microenvironment established upon resolution of primary infection, which involved regulatory T (Treg) cells and the cytokine TGF-β. Paralyzed DCs secreted TGF-β and induced local Treg cell accumulation. They also expressed lower amounts of IRF4, a transcription factor associated with increased antigen-presentation capacity, and higher amounts of Blimp1, a transcription factor associated with tolerogenic functions, than DCs present during primary infection. Blimp1 expression in DC of humans suffering sepsis or trauma correlated with severity and complicated outcomes. Our findings describe mechanisms underlying sepsis- and trauma-induced immunosuppression, reveal prognostic markers of susceptibility to secondary infections and identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), are characterized by high levels of IL-22 production. Rodent studies revealed that this cytokine is protective during colitis but whether this is true in IBDs is unclear. We show here that levels of the soluble inhibitor of IL-22, interleukin 22-binding protein (IL-22BP), are significantly enhanced during IBDs owing to increased numbers of IL-22BP-producing eosinophils, that we unexpectedly identify as the most abundant source of IL-22BP protein in human gut. In addition, using IL-22BP-deficient rats, we confirm that endogenous IL-22BP is effective at blocking protective actions of IL-22 during acute colitis. In conclusion, our study provides new important insights regarding the biology of IL-22 and IL-22BP in the gut and indicates that protective actions of IL-22 are likely to be suboptimal in IBDs thus making IL-22BP a new relevant therapeutic target.

Impeding, as well as reducing, the burden of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative pathogens is an urgent public health endeavor. Our current antibiotic armamentarium is dwindling, while major resistance determinants (e.g., extended-spectrum β-lactamases [ESBLs]) continue to evolve and disseminate around the world. One approach to attack this problem is to develop novel therapies that will protect our current agents. AAI101 is a novel penicillanic acid sulfone β-lactamase inhibitor similar in structure to tazobactam, with one important difference. AAI101 possesses a strategically placed methyl group that gives the inhibitor a net neutral charge, enhancing bacterial cell penetration. AAI101 paired with cefepime, also a zwitterion, is in phase III of clinical development for the treatment of serious Gram-negative infections. Here, AAI101 was found to restore the activity of cefepime against class A ESBLs (e.g., CTX-M-15) and demonstrated increased potency compared to that of piperacillin-tazobactam when tested against an established isogenic panel. The enzymological properties of AAI101 further revealed that AAI101 possessed a unique mechanism of β-lactamase inhibition compared to that of tazobactam. Additionally, upon reaction with AAI101, CTX-M-15 was modified to an inactive state. Notably, the in vivo efficacy of cefepime-AAI101 was demonstrated using a mouse septicemia model, indicating the ability of AAI101 to bolster significantly the therapeutic efficacy of cefepime in vivo. The combination of AAI101 with cefepime represents a potential carbapenem-sparing treatment regimen for infections suspected to be caused by Enterobacteriaceae expressing ESBLs.

Microbial biofilm contributes to chronic infection and is involved in the pathogenesis of prosthetic joint infections. Biofilms are structurally complex and should be considered a dynamic system able to protect the bacteria from host defence mechanisms and from antibacterial agents. Despite the use of antibiotics recognized as effective against acute infections, prosthetic joint infections require long-term suppressive treatment acting on adherent bacteria. Conventional in vitro susceptibility testing methods are not suitable for biofilm-associated infections given that these tests do not take into account the physiological parameters of bacterial cells in vivo. Most anti-staphylococcal drugs are able to inhibit in vitro the adhesion of bacteria to a surface, considered to be the first step in biofilm formation. Recent studies suggest that the lack of activity of antibiotics against biofilm-embedded bacteria seems to be more related to the decreased effect of the drug on the pathogen than to the poor penetration of the drug into the biofilm. Eradication of biofilm-embedded bacteria is a very difficult task and combination therapy is required in the treatment of persistent infections involving biofilm. Although several combinations demonstrate potent efficacy, rifampicin is the most common partner drug of effective combinations against staphylococcal biofilms. Considering the complexity of biofilm-related infections, further studies are needed to assess the activity of new therapeutic agents in combination with antibiotics (quorum-sensing inhibitors, biofilm disruptors and specific anti-biofilm molecules).