The anti-inflammatory drug mesalamine targets bacterial polyphosphate accumulation

Dahl, J.-U.; Gray, M.J.; Bazopoulou, D.; Beaufay, F.; Lempart, J.; Koenigsknecht, M.J.; Wang, Y.; Baker, J.R.; Hasler, W.L.; Young, V.B.; Sun, D.; Jakob, U.

Abstract

Mesalamine serves as the gold standard in treating ulcerative colitis. However, its precise mechanism(s) of action remains unclear. Here, we show that mesalamine treatment rapidly decreases polyphosphate levels in diverse bacteria, including members of the human gut microbiome. This decrease sensitizes bacteria towards oxidative stress, reduces colonization and attenuates persister cell and biofilm formation, suggesting that mesalamine aids in diminishing the capacity of bacteria to persist within chronically inflamed environments.

Citation

Dahl, J., Gray, M., Bazopoulou, D., Beaufay, F., Lempart, J., Koenigsknecht, M., …Jakob, U. (2017). The anti-inflammatory drug mesalamine targets bacterial polyphosphate accumulation. Nature Microbiology, 2, Article 16267. https://doi.org/10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.267

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 12, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jan 23, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2020
• Journal: Nature Microbiology
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Article Number: 16267
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.267
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1259815
• Related Public URLs: https://europepmc.org/article/med/28112760