Staphylococcus epidermidis surfactant peptides promote biofilm maturation and dissemination of biofilm-associated infection in mice
Rong Wang, … , Shu Y. Queck, Michael Otto
Rong Wang, … , Shu Y. Queck, Michael Otto
Published December 6, 2010
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2011;121(1):238-248. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI42520.
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Research Article Microbiology

Staphylococcus epidermidis surfactant peptides promote biofilm maturation and dissemination of biofilm-associated infection in mice

Abstract

Biofilms are surface-attached agglomerations of microorganisms embedded in an extracellular matrix. Biofilm-associated infections are difficult to eradicate and represent a significant reservoir for disseminating and recurring serious infections. Infections involving biofilms frequently develop on indwelling medical devices in hospitalized patients, and Staphylococcus epidermidis is the leading cause of infection in this setting. However, the molecular determinants of biofilm dissemination are unknown. Here we have demonstrated that specific secreted, surfactant-like S. epidermidis peptides — the β subclass of phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) — promote S. epidermidis biofilm structuring and detachment in vitro and dissemination from colonized catheters in a mouse model of device-related infection. Our study establishes in vivo significance of biofilm detachment mechanisms for the systemic spread of biofilm-associated infection and identifies the effectors of biofilm maturation and detachment in a premier biofilm-forming pathogen. Furthermore, by demonstrating that antibodies against PSMβ peptides inhibited bacterial spread from indwelling medical devices, we have provided proof of principle that interfering with biofilm detachment mechanisms may prevent dissemination of biofilm-associated infection.

Authors

Rong Wang, Burhan A. Khan, Gordon Y. C. Cheung, Thanh-Huy L. Bach, Max Jameson-Lee, Kok-Fai Kong, Shu Y. Queck, Michael Otto

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Figure 6

Role of PSMβ peptides and agr in S. epidermidis biofilm development: channel formation and biofilm expansion.

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Role of PSMβ peptides and agr in S. epidermidis biofilm development: cha...
(A) CLSM pictures of S. epidermidis 1457 WT, isogenic psmβ mutant, and psmβ-complemented strains. The WT and psmβ mutant strains were transformed with the control plasmid pT181mcs to ensure comparability. Static biofilms were grown for 24 hours, stained with propidium iodide, and imaged using CLSM. View is from the top. (B) Analyses of total and average biovolumes, which are measures of total biofilm and degree of channel formation, respectively, using IMARIS software of the biofilm samples shown in part A. Note that increased average biofilm volume corresponds to decreased channel formation. **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001, 1-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post tests. Error bars depict mean ± SEM. (C) CLSM pictures of S. epidermidis 1457 WT, isogenic agr, and psmβ operon deletion mutant biofilms. Growth conditions are as in A.