Deferiprone Inhibits Virulence and Biofilm Formation in Burkholderia Cenocepacia

Overview

Journal Med Microbiol Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2025 Mar 8

PMID 40056229

Authors

Zhi-Wen Ding

Kai-Zhong Xu

Owias Iqbal Dar

Lu-Jun Yin

Ying-Jie Wang

Yun-Tong Liao

Peng Wang

Ai-Qun Jia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Burkholderia cenocepacia, an opportunistic pathogen, poses a significant threat to human health, necessitating the discovery of effective quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs). In this study, the quorum sensing inhibitory effects of deferiprone (DFP) on the B. cenocepacia 162,638 were validated. Notably, DFP demonstrated an ability to inhibit and disrupt bacterial biofilms, reducing biofilm formation by 44.59% at 1/4 MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and 24.32% at 1/8 MIC concentrations. The study also investigated DFP's impact on motility, virulence, and QS signal levels. LC-MS/MS analysis showed a gradual reduction in the QS molecule C6-HSL as DFP concentrations increased. Additionally, DFP's non-hemolytic properties and safety profile, as verified in Galleria mellonella infection models, highlighted its biocompatibility. RT-qPCR results further indicated that DFP downregulated QS-related gene expression, particularly those involved in ferric uptake regulation protein (Fur). Molecular docking studies identified Fur as a key target for DFP's inhibitory action. Collectively, DFP was shown as a potential QSI with practical applications for controlling B. cenocepacia infections.

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