Compositions and method for destabilizing, altering, and dispersing biofilms
AssigneesThe Regents of the University of Michigan, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
InventorsAlexander Rickard, Nick Jakubovics, Derek S. Samarian, Ethan Kolderman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for destabilizing biofilms, altering biofilm 3D structure, and dispersing biofilms, in order to enhance biofilm cell removal and/or sensitivity to other agents (e.g., environmental or co-applied treatments). In particular, the present disclosure relates to the use of L-arginine in the removal and/or sensitization (e.g., to antimicrobials) of microorganisms in medical, industrial, domestic, or environmental applications, as well as treatment of bacterial infections (e.g., in biofilms).
Claims16
A method of inducing cell-damage, killing cells, disrupting intra-cellular processes leading to deregulation/loss of homeostasis, disrupting cell-cell adhesion, inducing three dimensional rearrangement of architecture, disrupting cell-cell signaling, disrupting cell-cell metabolic interactions, disrupting adhesion to surfaces, reducing the pathogenic potential of biofilms, reducing biofilm mass, decreasing the proportion of pathogenic bacteria in a biofilm, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria in a biofilm, and/or preventing growth of a microorganism in a biofilm, comprising:
- contacting bacteria in a biofilm with cell-free L-arginine at a concentration of at least 1 mM, wherein said contacting results in one or more of:
- inducing cell-damage, killing cells, disrupting intra-cellular processes leading to deregulation/loss of homeostasis, disrupting cell-cell adhesion, inducing three dimensional rearrangement of architecture, disrupting cell-cell signaling, disrupting cell-cell metabolic interactions, disrupting adhesion to surfaces, reducing the pathogenic potential of biofilms, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria in a biofilm, and preventing growth of said microorganism.
14-26. (canceled)
A method of inducing cell-damage, killing cells, disrupting intra-cellular processes leading to deregulation/loss of homeostasis, disrupting cell-cell adhesion, inducing three dimensional rearrangement of architecture, disrupting cell-cell signaling, disrupting cell-cell metabolic interactions, disrupting adhesion to surfaces, reducing the pathogenic potential of biofilms, reducing biofilm mass, decreasing the proportion of pathogenic bacteria in a biofilm, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria in a biofilm, and/or preventing growth of a microorganism in a biofilm, comprising:
- contacting bacteria in a biofilm with cell-free L-arginine at a concentration of at least 1 mM in combination with CPC, wherein said contacting results in one or more of:
- inducing cell-damage, killing cells, disrupting intra-cellular processes leading to deregulation/loss of homeostasis, disrupting cell-cell adhesion, inducing three dimensional rearrangement of architecture, disrupting cell-cell signaling, disrupting cell-cell metabolic interactions, disrupting adhesion to surfaces, reducing the pathogenic potential of biofilms, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria in a biofilm, and preventing growth of said microorganism.
28-47. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.