High-Throughput Flow Cytometry Screening of Multidrug Efflux Systems.

The resistance nodulation cell division (RND) family of proteins are inner membrane transporters that associate with periplasmic adaptor proteins and outer membrane porins to affect substrate transport from the cytosol and periplasm in Gram-negative bacteria. Various structurally diverse compounds are substrates of RND transporters. Along with their notable role in antibiotic resistance, these transporters are essential for niche colonization, quorum sensing, and virulence as well as for the removal of fatty acids and bile salts. As such, RNDs are an attractive target for antimicrobial development. However, while enhancing the utility of antibiotics with an RND inhibitor is an appealing concept, only a small core of chemotypes has been identified as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs). Thus, our key objective is the development and validation of an efflux profiling and discovery strategy for RND model systems. Here we describe a flow cytometric dye accumulation assay that uses fluorescein diacetate (FDA) to interrogate the model Gram-negative pathogens Escherichia coli, Franscisella tularensis, and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Fluorochrome retention is increased in the presence of known efflux inhibitors and in RND deletion strains. The assay can be used in a high-throughput format to evaluate efflux of dye-substrate candidates and to screen chemical libraries for novel EPIs. Triaged compounds that inhibit efflux in pathogenic strains are tested for growth inhibition and antibiotic potentiation using microdilution culture plates in a select agent Biosafety Level-3 (BSL3) environment. This combined approach demonstrates the utility of flow cytometric analysis for efflux activity and provides a useful platform in which to characterize efflux in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. Screening small molecule libraries for novel EPI candidates offers the potential for the discovery of new classes of antibacterial compounds.

A high-throughput phenotypic screen of cytotoxic T lymphocyte lytic granule exocytosis reveals candidate immunosuppressants.

We screened the National Institutes of Health's Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository for inhibitors of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) lytic granule exocytosis by measuring binding of an antibody in the extracellular solution to a lysosomal membrane protein (LAMP-1) that is transferred to the plasma membrane by exocytosis. We used TALL-104 human leukemic CTLs stimulated with soluble chemicals. Using high-throughput cluster cytometry to screen 364,202 compounds in a 1536-well plate format, we identified 2404 initial hits: 161 were confirmed on retesting, and dose-response measurements were performed. Seventy-five of those compounds were obtained, and 48 were confirmed active. Experiments were conducted to determine the molecular mechanism of action (MMOA) of the active compounds. Fifteen blocked increases in intracellular calcium >50%. Seven blocked phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by upstream mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases >50%. One completely blocked the activity of the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin. None blocked ERK catalytic activity. Eight blocked more than one pathway. For 8 compounds, we were unable to determine an MMOA. The activity of 1 of these compounds was confirmed from powder resupply. We conclude that a screen based on antibody binding to CTLs is a good means of identifying novel candidate immunosuppressants with either known or unknown MMOAs.

Flow cytometry enables a high-throughput homogeneous fluorescent antibody-binding assay for cytotoxic T cell lytic granule exocytosis.

We developed a homogeneous phenotypic fluorescence end-point assay for cytotoxic T lymphocyte lytic granule exocytosis. This flow cytometric assay measures binding of an antibody to a luminal epitope of a lysosomal membrane protein (LAMP-1) that is exposed by exocytosis to the extracellular solution. Washing to remove unbound antibody is not required. Confirming the assay's ability to detect novel active compounds, we screened at a concentration of 50 µM a synthetic diversity library of 91 compounds in a 96-well plate format, identifying 17 compounds that blocked by 90% or more. The actions of six structurally related tetracyano-hexahydroisoindole compounds that inhibited by ~90% at a concentration of 10 µM were investigated further. Four reduced elevations in intracellular Ca(2+); it is likely that depolarization of the cells' membrane potential underlies the effect for at least two of the compounds. Another compound was found to be a potent inhibitor of the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase ERK. Finally, we transferred the assay to a 384-well format and screened the Prestwick Compound Library using high-throughput flow cytometry. Our results indicate that our assay will likely be a useful means of screening libraries for novel compounds with important biological activities.