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The role of bacterial membrane vesicles in antibiotic resistance

Craig R MacNair1, Man-Wah Tan1

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) shield bacteria from antibiotics by reducing drug effectiveness and spreading resistance. Targeting MV production offers a novel therapeutic strategy against bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Bacterial survival during antibiotic treatment involves resistance genes, biofilms, and persister cells.
  • Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs), nanoparticles of lipid membranes, are increasingly recognized for their role in bacterial survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the overlooked role of bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) in antibiotic survival.
  • To explore MVs' potential in reducing antibiotic efficacy and transmitting resistance.
  • To discuss targeting MV production as a therapeutic strategy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on bacterial membrane vesicles and antibiotic resistance.
  • Analysis of studies demonstrating MV involvement in antibiotic efficacy reduction and resistance transmission.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) significantly contribute to bacterial survival under antibiotic pressure.
  • MVs can sequester antibiotics, reducing their effective concentration.
  • MVs facilitate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) represent a critical, underappreciated factor in antibiotic resistance.
  • Targeting the production or function of MVs presents a promising, unconventional approach for combating bacterial infections.
Keywords:
Gram-negative bacteriaantibiotic inactivationantibiotic resistancebacterial membrane vesiclesouter membrane

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