Unexpected discovery could lead to development of immunity agent against antibiotic-resistant germs
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have uncovered a new treatment that could potentially revolutionize the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. This development comes at a critical time, as the world grapples with the increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The target of this innovative approach is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium that causes multiple diseases, including skin infections, pneumonia, and sepsis. MRSA is particularly challenging due to its resistance to many common antibiotics.
The research team, led by Jessica Rubens, Roger Ortines, Nicholas Orlando, Aman Patel, Dustin Dikeman, Yu Wang, Ivan Vuong, Daniel Joyce, Jeffrey Zhang, Mohammed Mumtaz, Halyun Liu, Qi Liu, Christine Youn, Garrett Patrick, Advaitaa Ravipati, Robert Miller, and Nathan Archer, was initially studying the mechanisms behind MRSA skin infections in mice.
Their work has led to the discovery of a promising strategy known as "host-directed immunotherapy." This approach targets the body's immune system against bacteria via pancaspase inhibition. In simpler terms, they found a way to boost the immune system's ability to fight bacteria without relying on antibiotics.
Their research showed that a pancaspase inhibitor, Q-VD-OPH, can reduce apoptosis of neutrophils and monocytes, leaving these immune cells in plentiful numbers and better able to remove MRSA bacteria. Interestingly, enhanced necroptosis of macrophages was observed with the treatment, suggesting a more effective immune response.
The treatment was tested against not only MRSA but also Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two other bacterial threats. The results were promising, showing similar success against these bacteria. Furthermore, the treatment worked whether IL-1β, a key immune signalling molecule, was present or not.
This discovery could mark a significant milestone in the battle against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
It's important to note that this treatment may provide an alternative immune-based solution to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. However, further research is needed to fully understand its potential and to develop it into a viable treatment option.
The research results were included in a U.S. patent application (PCT/US2021/024889) through Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures for "caspase inhibition as a host-directed immunotherapy against bacterial infections."
While the researcher working on an alternative to antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections who was a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and now works at Janssen Research and Development could not be named in the study, it is worth mentioning that Robert Miller, a full-time employee of Janssen Research and Development, has financial disclosures related to this study, including grant support, stock, and consulting roles with various pharmaceutical companies.
The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 ushered in the era of antibiotics. This new treatment, if developed successfully, could be another significant step forward in our ongoing battle against bacterial infections.
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