Despite the small numbers of patients studied, Ga produced significant improvements in lung function in our phase 1 trial in CF adults. This improvement could be due to Ga's effects on either the bacteria or the host. This project explores the hypothesis that Ga improves lung function via anti-bacterial mechanisms. Ga has pleotrophic antimicrobial effects. As noted in the parent proposal, Ga has many iron (Fe) like features, but it cannot undergo the oxidation and reduction reactions critical for Fe's functions. Thus, Ga in enzymes renders them inactive (7, 25). In previous work (20) we showed that the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa avidly takes up Ga, even when multiple Fe uptake systems are inactivated (see below). These facts suggest that Ga will have multiple antimicrobial effects, and our studies confirm this. Ga kills P. aeruginosa living in the free-living (planktonic) state, and in biofilms (20). Much lower Ga levels inhibit P. aeruginosa growth, prevent biofilm formation (20), sensitize bacteria to killing by oxidants, and disrupt bacterial Fe-starvation responses (20). Having multiple modes of action may be a hallmark of successful antibiotics. For example, aminoglycosides disrupt cell membranes and block protein synthesis (19). Quinolones and penicillins induce oxidant stress in bacteria, in addition to their conventional actions (21). Novel agents with pleotrophic effects: lessons from azythromycin. The importance of understanding Ga's in vivo mechanism(s) is exemplified by experience with another new therapy, azythromycin. Azythromycin is now used by most CF patients, and is being studied in other diseases involving infection and inflammation (15, 36). Like Ga, azythromycin has several potential therapeutic effects on the bacteria and host, including effects on macrophages, neutrophils, epithelial barrier function, anti-virulence and anti-biofilm actions, and others (15, 36). Despite widespread use, it is not known which of these effects are important in patients (15, 36). Therefore, it is unclear how azythromycin's favorable effects could be augmented, or how potential adverse effects (such as the risk of life-threatening mycobacterial infections (28)) could be limited. Understanding Ga's in vivo mechanism is important. While it will be challenging to definitively determine Ga's mechanism of action in humans, information about its in vivo activity will be valuable for several reasons. First, because Ga has potent activity in experimental infections caused by many species, understanding mechanisms of action could reveal new broad-spectrum antibacterial targets. Second, Ga's shows efficacy in biofilm infection models and in human CF, a paradigm biofilm disease (8-10, 18, 27). Understanding Ga mechanism could help identify vulnerabilities of bacteria in chronic biofilm infections. Third, understanding the in vivo mechanism of action could help us choose drugs to use in combination with Ga, as agents acting by complementary mechanisms can produce synergy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project with Complex Structure Cooperative Agreement (UM1)
Project #
4UM1HL119073-03
Application #
9136846
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1)
Program Officer
Sheridan, John T
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2016-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Type
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Ramos, Kathleen J; Somayaji, Ranjani; Nichols, David P et al. (2018) Comparative Effectiveness Research in Pediatric Respiratory Disease: Promise and Pitfalls. Paediatr Drugs 20:1-7
Lechtzin, Noah; Mayer-Hamblett, Nicole; West, Natalie E et al. (2017) Home Monitoring of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis to Identify and Treat Acute Pulmonary Exacerbations. eICE Study Results. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 196:1144-1151
Heltshe, Sonya L; Cogen, Jonathan; Ramos, Kathleen J et al. (2017) Cystic Fibrosis: The Dawn of a New Therapeutic Era. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 195:979-984
Ramos, Kathleen J; Sack, Coralynn S; Mitchell, Kristina H et al. (2017) Cystic Fibrosis is Associated with Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Washington State, 1996-2013. J Pediatr 180:206-211.e1
Heltshe, Sonya L; Goss, Christopher H (2016) Optimising treatment of CF pulmonary exacerbation: a tough nut to crack. Thorax 71:101-2
Sack, Cora S; Goss, Christopher H (2016) Nature versus Nurture: Does Genetic Ancestry Alter the Effect of Air Pollution in Children with Asthma? Am J Respir Crit Care Med 193:1196-8
Ramos, Kathleen J; Quon, Bradley S; Psoter, Kevin J et al. (2016) Predictors of non-referral of patients with cystic fibrosis for lung transplant evaluation in the United States. J Cyst Fibros 15:196-203
Goss, Christopher H; VanDevanter, Donald R (2016) CFTR modulators and pregnancy: Our work has only just begun. J Cyst Fibros 15:6-7
Crull, Mathew R; Ramos, Kathleen J; Caldwell, Ellen et al. (2016) Change in Pseudomonas aeruginosa prevalence in cystic fibrosis adults over time. BMC Pulm Med 16:176
Ramos, Kathleen J; Goss, Christopher H (2015) Remarkable long-term survival post-lung transplantation among Canadian patients with cystic fibrosis. J Heart Lung Transplant 34:1131-3

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