Life Sciences Seminar: Triggering toxicity: How antibiotics enhance the release of extracellular vesicles from Escherichia coli
Life Sciences Seminar
Triggering toxicity: How antibiotics enhance the release of extracellular vesicles from Escherichia coli
Dr. Lea Michel
Professor, School of Chemistry and Materials Science
Rochester Institute of Technology
Abstract:
Sepsis, a leading cause of hospital mortality, is characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory response to infection. While no cure exists, sepsis is typically managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics to target potential bacterial infections. However, antibiotic treatment may inadvertently increase the release of bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs). BEVs are nano-sized spherical particles released from bacteria and containing cellular biomolecules from their parent bacterium; BEVs have been shown to induce an inflammatory response in host cells. We used ultracentrifugation, immunoblotting, and nanoparticle tracking analysis to isolate, detect, and quantify BEVs released from Escherichia coli in the presence of different antibiotics. Several beta-lactam antibiotics caused significantly more EV release, while quinolone and aminoglycosides caused relatively less vesiculation. We also investigated whether antibiotic-induced BEVs trigger inflammation, and our preliminary findings suggest that they do. These results underline the importance of antibiotic choice when treating sepsis patients. Part of the research reported in this presentation was supported by NIAID of the National Institutes of Health under award number R21AI163782 (to LVM and TG).
Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.
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