Dihydrothiazolo ring-fused 2-pyridone antimicrobial compounds treat Streptococcus pyogenes skin and soft tissue infection

Sci Adv. 2024 Aug 2;10(31):eadn7979. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adn7979. Epub 2024 Aug 2.

Abstract

We have developed GmPcides from a peptidomimetic dihydrothiazolo ring-fused 2-pyridone scaffold that has antimicrobial activities against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive pathogens. Here, we examine the treatment efficacy of GmPcides using skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) and biofilm formation models by Streptococcus pyogenes. Screening our compound library for minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations identified GmPcide PS757 as highly active against S. pyogenes. Treatment of S. pyogenes biofilm with PS757 revealed robust efficacy against all phases of biofilm formation by preventing initial biofilm development, ceasing biofilm maturation and eradicating mature biofilm. In a murine model of S. pyogenes SSTI, subcutaneous delivery of PS757 resulted in reduced levels of tissue damage, decreased bacterial burdens, and accelerated rates of wound healing, which were associated with down-regulation of key virulence factors, including M protein and the SpeB cysteine protease. These data demonstrate that GmPcides show considerable promise for treating S. pyogenes infections.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Biofilms* / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Pyridones* / chemistry
  • Pyridones* / pharmacology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / drug therapy
  • Soft Tissue Infections* / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes* / drug effects
  • Thiazoles / chemistry
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Pyridones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Thiazoles
  • 2-hydroxypyridine