TY - JOUR T1 - Repurposing host-guest chemistry to sequester virulence and eradicate biofilms in multidrug resistant <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> and <em>Acinetobacter baumannii</em> JF - bioRxiv DO - 10.1101/2023.03.01.530582 SP - 2023.03.01.530582 AU - Christopher Jonkergouw AU - Ngong Kodiah Beyeh AU - Ekaterina Osmekhina AU - Katarzyna Leskinen AU - S. Maryamdokht Taimoory AU - Dmitrii Federov AU - Eduardo Anaya-Plaza AU - Mauri A. Kostiainen AU - John F. Trant AU - Robin H. A. Ras AU - Päivi Saavalainen AU - Markus B. Linder Y1 - 2023/01/01 UR - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2023/03/01/2023.03.01.530582.abstract N2 - The limited diversity in targets of available antibiotic therapies has put tremendous pressure on the treatment of bacterial pathogens, where numerous resistance mechanisms that counteract their function are becoming increasingly prevalent. Here, we utilize an unconventional anti-virulence screen of host-guest interacting macrocycles, and identify a water-soluble synthetic macrocycle, Pillar[5]arene, that is non-bactericidal/bacteriostatic and has a mechanism of action that involves binding to both homoserine lactones and lipopolysaccharides, key virulence factors in Gram-negative pathogens. Pillar[5]arene is active against Top Priority carbapenem- and third/fourth-generation cephalosporin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, suppressing toxins and biofilms and increasing the penetration and efficacy of standard-of-care antibiotics in combined administrations. The binding of homoserine lactones and lipopolysaccharides also sequesters their direct effects as toxins on eukatryotic membranes, neutralizing key tools that promote bacterial colonization and impede immune defenses, both in vitro and in vivo. Pillar[5]arene evades both existing antibiotic resistance mechanisms, as well as the build-up of rapid tolerance/resistance. The versatility of macrocyclic host-guest chemistry provides ample strategies for tailored targeting of virulence in a wide range of Gram-negative infectious diseases.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest. ER -