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 5

Role of PSMβ peptides in S. epidermidis biofilm development: cell detachment.

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Role of PSMβ peptides in S. epidermidis biofilm development: cell detach...
A psmβ-promoter egfp fusion construct (see Supplemental Figure 1 for the synthetic egfp gene with optimized Staphylococcus codon usage) was produced to monitor psmβ expression in dynamic S. epidermidis biofilms using flow cells with CLSM (green). Entire biofilms were stained with propidium iodide (red). (A) Mature (24 hours) biofilm showing expression of psmβ at the outer biofilm layer. (B and C) Biofilm cluster detachment observed during biofilm development. Lower (A) and higher (B) temporal and spatial resolution is shown. (D) Comparative analysis of the relative amount of cells expressing psmβ (green fluorescence) in effluent and biofilm. The ratio of fluorescent versus nonfluorescent cells was determined using IMARIS software in effluent and biofilm samples. **P < 0.01, t test. Error bars depict mean ± SEM.