Polymyxin B inhibits pro-inflammatory effects of E. coli outer membrane vesicles whilst increasing immune cell uptake and clearance

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Bradley Whitehead
  • Fabio Antennuci
  • Anders T. Boysen
  • Peter Nejsum

Polymyxin B (PMB) is a peptide based antibiotic that binds the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with a resultant bactericidal effect. The interaction of PMB with LPS presented on outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) is not fully known, however, a sacrificial role of OMVs in protecting bacterial cells by sequestering PMB has been described. Here we assess the ability of PMB to neutralize the immune-stimulatory properties of OMVs whilst modulating the uptake of OMVs in human immune cells. We show for the first time that PMB increases immune cell uptake of Escherichia coli derived OMVs whilst inhibiting TNF and IL-1β production. Therefore, we present a potential new role for PMB in the neutralization of OMVs via LPS masking and increased immune cell uptake.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Antibiotics
Volume76
Pages (from-to)360–364
ISSN0021-8820
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the Japan Antibiotics Research Association.

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