Decreasing HMGB1 levels improves outcome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in mice

Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa is a Gram negative bacterium widely dispersed in the environment which can cause acute and chronic infections in humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the overall incidence of P. aeruginosa infections in USA hospitals averages about 0.4% (4/1000 discharges), and the bacterium is the fourth most commonly-isolated nosocomial pathogen accounting for 10.1% of all hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa keratitis is a severe infection of the eye, progresses rapidly and remains a leading cause of corneal ulcers worldwide. Use of contact lenses is the major risk factor in the USA, while in less industrialized countries, trauma from agricultural accidents are of importance. Animal models of bacterial keratitis are of value in the study of this disease and suggest potential alternative therapeutic targets that are needed urgently due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Recently we have shown success and improved disease outcome after down-regulation of one promising target, high mobility group box1 (HMGB1) using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Testing more clinically relevant approaches are underway to reduce HMGB1 levels in P. aeruginosa keratitis which may hold promise for its treatment.