Immunogenic profiling of structurally distinct bacteriophages and their interaction with human cells

• Due to a global increase in the range and number of infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria, 11 phage therapy is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest. However, there are a number of 12 well-known concerns over the use of phages to treat bacterial infections. In order to address concerns 13 over safety and the poorly understood pharmacokinetics of phages and their associated cocktails, 14 immunological characterization is required. In the current investigation, the immunogenicity of four 15 distinct phages and their interaction with donor derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells and 16 immortalized cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells) were investigated using 17 standard immunological techniques. When exposed to high phage concentrations (109 PFU/well), 18 cytokine driven inflammatory responses were induced from all cell types. Although phages appeared 19 to inhibit the growth of intestinal epithelial cell lines, they also appear to be non-cytotoxic. Despite 20 co-incubation with different cell types, phages maintained a high killing efficiency, reducing 21 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli numbers by 1-4 log10 compared to 22 untreated controls. Phages were also able to actively reproduce in the presence of human cells 23 resulting in an approximately 2 log10 increase in phage titer compared to the initial inoculum. 24 Through an increased understanding of the complex pharmacokinetics of phages, it may be possible 25 to address some of the safety concerns surrounding phage preparations prior to creating new 26 therapeutic strategies.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Mikrobiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Microbiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Pharmacokinetics

Phage therapy

Cytokines

Immune response

Multiresistant bacteria

molekylärgenetik

Molecular Genetics

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)