"Ceragenin"

Ceragenin-mediated disruption of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Microbial biofilms, as a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease and other chronic infections, remain a desirable target for antimicrobial therapy. These biopolymer-based viscoelastic structures protect pathogenic organisms from immune responses and antibiotics. Consequently, treatments directed at disrupting biofilms represent a promising strategy for combating biofilm-associated infections. In CF patients, the viscoelasticity of biofilms is determined mainly by their polymicrobial nature and species-specific traits, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa filamentous (Pf) bacteriophages. Therefore, we examined the impact of microbicidal ceragenins (CSAs) supported by mucolytic agents-DNase I and poly-aspartic acid (pASP

Use of ceragenins as a potential treatment for urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections. High recurrence rates and the increasing antibiotic resistance among uropathogens constitute a large social and economic problem in current public health. We assumed that combination of treatment that includes the administration ceragenins E. coli when combined with ceragenins CSA-13 and CSA-131. We suggest that the employment of combination of natural peptide LL-37 with synthetic analogs might be a potential solution to treat urinary tract infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.

Ceragenins are active against drug-resistant Candida auris clinical isolates in planktonic and biofilm forms. Candida auris has emerged as a serious threat to human health. Of particular concern are the resistance profiles of many clinical isolates, with some being resistant to multiple classes of antifungals. Measure susceptibilities of C. auris isolates, in planktonic and biofilm forms , to ceragenins (CSAs). Determine the effectiveness of selected ceragenins in gel and cream formulations in eradicating fungal infections in tissue explants. A collection of 100 C. auris isolates available at CDC was screened for susceptibility to a lead ceragenin. A smaller collection was used to characterize antifungal activities of other ceragenins against organisms in planktonic and biofilm forms. Effects

Ceragenin CSA-13 as free molecules and attached to magnetic nanoparticle surfaces induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells via disruption of cell oxidative balance Natural antimicrobial peptides and ceragenins, as non-peptide amphipathic mimics, have been proposed as anti-cancer agents. To date, it has been confirmed that cathelicidin LL-37 and ceragenin CSA-13, both in free form and immobilized on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP@LL-37, MNP@CSA-13) induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Nevertheless, the question remains whether ceragenins, as synthetic analogs of LL-37 peptide and mimicking a number of its properties, act as antineoplastic agents in breast cancer cells, where LL-37 peptide stimulates oncogenesis. Considering potential anticancer

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Poloxamer Micelles Containing Ceragenin CSA-131 on Ciliated Tissues Ceragenins were designed as non-peptide mimics of endogenous antimicrobial peptides, and they display broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities, including the ability to eradicate established biofilms. These features of ceragenins make them attractive potential therapeutics for persistent infections in the lung, including those associated with cystic fibrosis. A characteristic of an optimal therapeutic for use in the lungs and trachea is the exertion of potent antimicrobial activities without damaging the cilia that play a critical role in these tissues. In previous work, potent antimicrobial activities of ceragenin CSA-131 have been reported; however, we found in studies

Ceragenin CSA13 Reduces Clostridium difficile Infection in Mice by Modulating the Intestinal Microbiome and Metabolites. Clostridium difficile induces intestinal inflammation by releasing toxins A and B. The antimicrobial compound cationic steroid antimicrobial 13 (CSA13) has been developed for treating gastrointestinal infections. The CSA13-Eudragit formulation can be given orally and releases

Susceptibility of colistin-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria to antimicrobial peptides and ceragenins. The susceptibility of colistin-resistant clinical isolates of to ceragenins and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) suggests that there is little to no cross-resistance between colistin and ceragenins/AMPs and that lipid A modifications are found in bacteria with modest changes in susceptibility to ceragenins and with high levels of resistance to colistin. These results suggest that there are differences in the resistance mechanisms to colistin and ceragenins/AMPs.

Antimicrobial ceragenins inhibit biofilms and affect mammalian cell viability and migration in vitro The healing of burn wounds is often hampered by bacterial infection and the formation of biofilms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effective in promoting wound healing, but are susceptible to degradation. We have tested the ability of ceragenins (CSAs), mimics of antimicrobial peptides ) blocked tube formation stimulated by CSA-13, suggesting that CSA-13 signals through this receptor. Ceragenins display anti-biofilm activity and stimulate migration and tube formation . This work suggests that ceragenins have the potential to be both topical antimicrobials and wound-healing adjunct therapeutics.

Anaerobic bacteria growth in the presence of cathelicidin LL-37 and selected ceragenins delivered as magnetic nanoparticles cargo Cationic antibacterial peptides (CAPs) and synthetic molecules mimicking the amphiphilic structure of CAPs, such as ceragenins, are promising compounds for the development of new antimicrobials. We tested the in vitro activity of ceragenins CSA-13 and CSA-131 against several anaerobic bacteria including Bacteroides spp. and Clostridium difficile. We compared results to the activity of cathelicidin LL-37, metronidazole and nanosystems developed by attachment of CSA-13 and CSA-131 to magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The antibacterial effect was tested using killing assay and modified CLSI broth microdilution assay. Ceragenins CSA-13 and CSA-131 displayed stronger

Formulation and candidacidal activity of magnetic nanoparticles coated with cathelicidin LL-37 and ceragenin CSA-13 Fungal infections caused by Candida spp. represent an emerging problem during treatment of immunocompromised patients and those hospitalized with serious principal diseases. The ever-growing number of fungal strains exhibiting drug resistance necessitates the development of novel antimicrobial therapies including those based on membrane-permeabilizing agents and nanomaterials as drug carriers. In this study, the fungicidal activities of LL-37 peptide, ceragenin CSA-13 and its magnetic derivatives (MNP@LL-37, MNP@CSA-13) against laboratory and clinical strains of C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis were evaluated. These experiments confirm the high anti-fungal activity

Sporicidal activity of ceragenin CSA-13 against Bacillus subtilis Spore-forming bacteria are a class of microorganisms that possess the ability to survive in extreme environmental conditions. Morphological features of spores assure their resistance to stress factors such as high temperature, radiation, disinfectants, and drying. Consequently, spore elimination in industrial and medical environments is very challenging. Ceragenins are a new class of cationic lipids characterized by a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity resulting from amphipathic nature and membrane-permeabilizing properties. To assess the impact of ceragenin CSA-13 on spores formed by Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051), we performed the series of experiments confirming that amphipathic and membrane-permeabilizing properties

Candidacidal Activity of Selected Ceragenins and Human Cathelicidin LL-37 in Experimental Settings Mimicking Infection Sites Fungal infections, especially those caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens, have become a serious public health problem due to the growing number of immunocompromised patients, including those subjected to anticancer treatment or suffering from HIV infection . In this study we assessed fungicidal activity of the ceragenins CSA-13, CSA-131 and CSA-192 against four fluconazole-resistant Candida strains. We found that ceragenins activity against planktonic Candida cells was higher than activity of human LL-37 peptide and synthetic cationic peptide omiganan. Compared to LL-37 peptide, ceragenins in the presence of DNase I demonstrated an increased ability to kill DNA

Core–shell magnetic nanoparticles display synergistic antibacterial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus when combined with cathelicidin LL-37 or selected ceragenins Core-shell magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are promising candidates in the development of new treatment methods against infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. In this study , the bactericidal activity of human antibacterial peptide cathelicidin LL-37, synthetic ceragenins CSA-13 and CSA-131, and classical antibiotics vancomycin and colistin, against methicillin-resistant Xen 30 and Xen 5, was assessed alone and in combination with core-shell MNPs. Fractional inhibitory concentration index and fractional bactericidal concentration index were determined by microdilution methods

Bactericidal activity and biocompatibility of ceragenin-coated magnetic nanoparticles Ceragenins, synthetic mimics of endogenous antibacterial peptides, are promising candidate antimicrobial agents. However, in some settings their strong bactericidal activity is associated with toxicity towards host cells. To modulate ceragenin CSA-13 antibacterial activity and biocompatibility, CSA-13-coated

CSA-131, a ceragenin active against colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. In the last decade the number of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates showing extended drug resistance and pandrug resistance has steadily increased, thereby limiting or eliminating the antibiotics that can be used to treat infections by these micro -organisms. In addition, few antibiotics have been launched in the last decade. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of several ceragenins against A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. Four ceragenins (CSA-138, -13, -131 and -44) were tested both against colistin-susceptible and colistin-resistant A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa clinical isolates using the microdilution method

Ceragenin Coated Endotracheal Tubes for the Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Critically ill patients are at high risk of acquiring pneumonia during the time that they are mechanically ventilated. This is known as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP results in increased duration of mechanical ventilation, increased ICU and hospital stay, increased risk of death and increased associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. The novel ETT is the CeraShield ETT consisting of a standard ETT with an antimicrobial hydrophilic coating containing ceragenins (CSAs) on the inner and outer lumen of the device, as well as the inflatable cuff. The CSA coating on the CeraShield protects it from microbial colonization and bio-film growth. The CSA ETT

Optimization of ceragenins for prevention of bacterial colonization of hydrogel contact lenses. We provided contact lens hydrogels with an antibacterial innate immune function using nonpeptide mimics of endogenous antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptide mimics, ceragenins, were prepared for either covalent attachment to hydrogels or for controlled elution from lenses. The lipophilicity of the ceragenins was varied incrementally to provide differing levels of association with hydrophobic domains in lenses. Ceragenin-containing lenses were challenged repeatedly with Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa in nutrient media. Bacterial growth and biofilm formation on lenses were quantified. A ceragenin covalently fixed in lenses effectively inhibited S. aureus biofilm formation on lenses

In vitro evaluation of the potential for resistance development to ceragenin CSA-13. Though most bacteria remain susceptible to endogenous antimicrobial peptides, specific resistance mechanisms are known. As mimics of antimicrobial peptides, ceragenins were expected to retain antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, even after prolonged exposure. Serial passaging of bacteria to a lead ceragenin, CSA-13, was performed with representative pathogenic bacteria. Ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and colistin were used as comparators. The mechanisms of resistance in Gram-negative bacteria were elucidated. Susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were serially exposed to CSA-13 and comparators for 30 passages. MIC values were

Preclinical testing of a broad-spectrum antimicrobial endotracheal tube coated with an innate immune synthetic mimic. Endotracheal tubes provide an abiotic surface on which bacteria and fungi form biofilms, and the release of endotoxins and planktonic organisms can cause damaging inflammation and infections. Ceragenins are small molecule mimics of antimicrobial peptides with broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity, and a ceragenin may be used to provide antimicrobial protection to the abiotic surface of an endotracheal tube. A hydrogel film, containing CSA-131, was generated on endotracheal tubes. Elution of CSA-131 was quantified in drip-flow and static systems, antifungal and antibacterial activity was measured with repeated inoculation in growth media, biofilm formation

the inflammatory response, monitored by biochemical indicators, by improving liver function in rats exposed to tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The study was conducted on a population of female Buffalo rats. The animals were divided into the following groups: Control Group A-representing physiological norms for the studied diagnostic indicators; Control Group B-subjects were administered a 1% ceragenin