Quorum Sensing Inhibitors Disable Bacterial Biofilms
Thomas Bjarnsholt, Tim Tolker-Nielsen and Michael Givskov
from: Emerging Trends in Antibacterial Discovery: Answering the Call to Arms (Edited by: Alita A. Miller and Paul F. Miller). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2011)
Abstract
It is now evident that bacteria assume the biofilm mode of growth during chronic infections. The important hallmarks of biofilm infections are development of local inflammations, extreme tolerance to the action of conventional antimicrobial agents and an almost infinite capacity to evade the host defense systems in particular innate immunity. In the biofilm mode, bacteria use cell to cell communication termed quorum-sensing (QS) to coordinate expression of virulence, tolerance towards a number of antimicrobial agents and shielding against the host defense system. Chemical biology approaches may allow for the development of new treatment strategies focusing on interference with cell to cell communication with the aim of primarily disabling expression of virulence, immune shielding and antibiotic tolerance. Here we present our experience with screening and testing small molecule chemistry for N-acyl homoserine lactone dependent QS inhibition. In addition we present our thoughts with respect to advantages and potential limitations of the intervention strategies described read more ...
