Abstract
Biofilm formation by opportunistic pathogens serves as one of the major causes of chronic and persistent infections. Bacterial cells in the biofilms are embedded in their self-generated protective extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which include exopolysaccharides, large adhesin proteins and extracellular DNA. In this study, we identified an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) LG21 that is able to interact specifically with the Psl exopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, thus it can be used as a diagnostic tool for P. aeruginosa biofilms. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis showed that residues numbered from 15 to 21 (WKRKRFG) in LG21 are involved in interacting with Psl. Our study indicates that host immune systems might detect and interact with microbial biofilms through AMPs. Engineering biofilm EPS-targeting AMPs might provide novel strategies for biofilm detection and treatment.
Highlights
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) serve as an essential component of the innate immune system to defend against invading pathogens [1]
We screened biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa wild-type PAO1 (Pel+Psl+), its Psl deficient ∆pslBCD mutant (Pel+Psl-), and Pel deficient ∆pelA mutant (Pel-Psl+) against our local fluorescent-tagged AMP library
Exopolysacharides are abundant in bacterial biofilms as a key class of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) component
Summary
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) serve as an essential component of the innate immune system to defend against invading pathogens [1]. AMPs are amphipathic molecules that can directly interact with bacterial cell wall components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and compromise the cell wall integrity [2]. AMPs are able to target microbial intracellular components such as DNA and RNA [3]. In addition to directly targeting microbial cells, host-derived AMPs are known to modulate the innate immune response and boost the host’s capacity for bacterial clearance [4]. Microbial pathogens have successfully evolved multiple strategies to survive from AMP attack. Numerous bacterial species have developed AMP sensing mechanisms, which regulate modifications of the cell surface upon AMP exposure [5,6,7].
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