scholarly journals Decreased biofilm formation in Proteus mirabilis after short-term exposure to a simulated microgravity environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dapeng Wang ◽  
Po Bai ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Xiaolei Su ◽  
Xuege Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Proteus Mirabilis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Microgravity Condition ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Constructive Method ◽  
Short Term Exposure

Abstract Background Microbes threaten human health in space exploration. Studies have shown that Proteus mirabilis has been found in human space habitats. In addition, the biological characteristics of P. mirabilis in space have been studied unconditionally. The simulated microgravity environment provides a platform for understanding the changes in the biological characteristics of P. mirabilis. Objective This study intends to explore the effect of simulated microgravity on P. mirabilis, the formation of P. mirabilis biofilm, and its related mechanism. Methods The strange deformable rods were cultured continuously for 14 days under microgravity simulated in high-aspect rotating vessels (HARVs). The morphology, growth rate, metabolism, and biofilm formation of the strain were measured, and the phenotypic changes of P. mirabilis were evaluated. Transcriptome sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes under simulated microgravity and compared with phenotype. Results The growth rate, metabolic ability, and biofilm forming ability of P. mirabilis were lower than those of normal gravity culture under the condition of simulated microgravity. Further analysis showed that the decrease of growth rate, metabolic ability, and biofilm forming ability may be caused by the downregulation of related genes (pstS, sodB, and fumC). Conclusion The simulated microgravity condition enables us to explore the potential relationship between bacterial phenotype and molecular biology, thus opening up a suitable and constructive method for medical fields that have not been explored before. It provides a certain strategy for the treatment of P. mirabilis infectious diseases in space environment by exploring the microgravity of P. mirabilis.

scholarly journals Decreased biofilm formation in Proteus mirabilis after short-term exposure to a simulated microgravity environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dapeng Wang ◽  
Po Bai ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Xiaolei Su ◽  
Xuege Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Normal Gravity ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Short Term Exposure

Background: Microbes threaten human health in space exploration. Studies have shown that P. mirabilis has been found in human space habitats. In addition, the biological characteristics of P. mirabilis in space have been studied unconditionally. The simulated microgravity environment provides a platform for understanding the changes in the biological characteristics of P. mirabilis. Objective: This study intends to explore the effect of simulated microgravity on P. mirabilis, the formation of P. mirabilis biofilm and its related mechanism. Methods: The strange deformable rods were cultured continuously for 14 days under the microgravity simulated by (HARVs) in a high- aspect ratio vessels. The morphology, growth rate, metabolism and biofilm formation of the strain were measured, and the phenotypic changes of P. mirabilis were evaluated. Transcriptome sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes under simulated microgravity and compared with phenotype. Results: The growth rate, metabolic ability and biofilm forming ability of P. mirabilis were lower than those of normal gravity culture under the condition of simulated microgravity. Further analysis showed that the decrease of growth rate, metabolic ability and biofilm forming ability may be caused by the down-regulation of related genes (pstS,sodB and fumC). Conclusion: It provides a certain reference for the prevention and treatment of P. mirabilis infection in the future space station by exploring the effect of simulated microgravity exposure on P. mirabilis.

scholarly journals Effects of Simulated Microgravity on the Physiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Multiomic Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolei Su ◽  
Yinghua Guo ◽  
Tingzheng Fang ◽  
Xuege Jiang ◽  
Dapeng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Differentially Expressed Genes ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Normal Gravity ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Biological Adhesion ◽  
Proteomic Analyses

Many studies have shown that the space environment plays a pivotal role in changing the characteristics of conditional pathogens, especially their pathogenicity and virulence. However, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a type of conditional pathogen that has shown to a gradual increase in clinical morbidity in recent years, has rarely been reported for its impact in space. In this study, S. maltophilia was exposed to a simulated microgravity (SMG) environment in high-aspect ratio rotating-wall vessel bioreactors for 14days, while the control group was exposed to the same bioreactors in a normal gravity (NG) environment. Then, combined phenotypic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses were conducted to compare the influence of the SMG and NG on S. maltophilia. The results showed that S. maltophilia in simulated microgravity displayed an increased growth rate, enhanced biofilm formation ability, increased swimming motility, and metabolic alterations compared with those of S. maltophilia in normal gravity and the original strain of S. maltophilia. Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) annotation analysis indicated that the increased growth rate might be related to the upregulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in energy metabolism and conversion, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, transport and catabolism, intracellular trafficking, secretion, and vesicular transport. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that the increased motility might be associated the upregulation of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in locomotion, localization, biological adhesion, and binding, in accordance with the upregulated DEGs in cell motility according to COG classification, including pilP, pilM, flgE, flgG, and ronN. Additionally, the increased biofilm formation ability might be associated with the upregulation of DEPs involved in biofilm formation, the bacterial secretion system, biological adhesion, and cell adhesion, which were shown to be regulated by the differentially expressed genes (chpB, chpC, rpoN, pilA, pilG, pilH, and pilJ) through the integration of transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. These results suggested that simulated microgravity might increase the level of corresponding functional proteins by upregulating related genes to alter physiological characteristics and modulate growth rate, motility, biofilm formation, and metabolism. In conclusion, this study is the first general analysis of the phenotypic, genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes in S. maltophilia under simulated microgravity and provides some suggestions for future studies of space microbiology.

scholarly journals Increased biofilm formation ability in Klebsiella pneumoniae after short‐term exposure to a simulated microgravity environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haili Wang ◽  
Yanfeng Yan ◽  
Dan Rong ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Hongduo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Exposure

scholarly journals Evaluation of pathogenesis and biofilm formation ability of Yersinia pestis after 40-day exposure to simulated microgravity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Li ◽  
Yulu Chen ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Yixuan Li ◽  
Ruifu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Normal Gravity ◽  
Microgravity Condition ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Crystal Violet Staining ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Manned Space ◽  
Manned Space Missions

Abstract Background: With the increase of manned space missions and the rise of space microbiology, the research of microbes grown under microgravity environment attracts more attentions. The research scope in space microbiology has been extended beyond pathogens directly related to spaceflight Y. pestis, the causative agent of plague, is also of interest to researchers. Results: After Y. pestis strain 201 cultivated for 40 consecutive passages in either simulated microgravity and normal gravity (NG) conditions, the cultures were used to observe the main phenotypic features of Y. pestis. By using crystal violet staining assays, increased biofilm amount was detected in Y. pestis grown under SMG condition. Besides that, the damage degrees of Hela cell caused by SMG-grown Y. pestis were found diminished in relative to those NG condition. Consistent with this observation, death course was delayed in mice infected with SMG-grown Y. pestis, suggesting that microgravity condition could contribute the attenuated virulence. RNA-seq-based transcriptomics analysis showed a total of 219 genes were differentially regulated, of which 92 upregulated and 127 downregulated. We found dozens of virulence-associated genes were downregulated, which partially explained the reduced virulence of Y. pestis under SMG condition. Our study demonstrated that long-term exposure to simulated microgravity influence the pathogenesis and biofilm formation ability of Y. pestis in a different way, which provides a novel avenue to study the mechanism of physiology and virulence in this pathogen.Conclusions: Microgravity enhanced the ability of biofilm formation of Y. pestis. The virulence and cytotoxicity of Y. pestis were reduced under the microgravity environment. The expressions of many virulence-associated genes of Y. pestis were differentially regulated in response to the stimulated microgravity.

scholarly journals Effects of simulated microgravity on rice (MR219) growth and yield

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Athirah Zulkifli ◽  
Teoh Chin Chuang ◽  
Ong Keat Khim ◽  
Ummul Fahri Abdul Rauf ◽  
Norliza Abu Bakar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Rotation Speed ◽  
Microgravity Condition ◽  
Blast Disease ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
Yield Parameters ◽  
Rice Tungro Disease ◽  
Rice Seeds

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food in many Asian countries with an ever increasing demand. However, the production of high quality rice seeds is insufficient to meet this demand. Research on plant growth in space related to the exposure of a microgravity environment are rare, costly and time-limited. Similar experiments can be conducted on the ground to simulate the microgravity condition using a 2-D clinostat which compensates for the unilateral influence of gravity. This study was conducted to establish a simple and cost effective technique to enhance the quality of the Malaysian rice seed variety MR 219 by using a 2-D clinostat and to determine the effects of simulated microgravity on the growth and yield of the rice seeds. The experiments were performed at different rotation speeds (2 rpm and 10 rpm) for 10 days at room temperature. The rice growth and yield parameters were measured every 2 weeks and at harvest time (day 110), respectively.  The data were analysed using the MINITAB statistical software package. The mean value estimates of the parameters obtained under different conditions were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Tukey test for multiple comparisons using a 0.05 significance level. Significant differences in the number of tiller, stem width , chlorophyll content , weight of grains and panicles and total grain weight per plant were identified at rotation speed 10 rpm  when compared to rotation speed 2 rpm and control. The highest means were mainly obtained under 10 rpm clinorotated rice seeds. In general, plants grown from 10 rpm clinorotated seeds are also more resistant to rice diseases (rice blast disease, rice tungro disease and hopper burn). These results suggest that simulated microgravity using a 2-D clinostat affected several rice (MR219) growth and yield parameters significantly. 

scholarly journals Decreased Biofilm Formation Ability of a Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain After Exposure to a Simulated Microgravity Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Po Bai ◽  
Dapeng Wang ◽  
Junfeng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Swimming Motility ◽  
Type Iv

Background: The refractory infection induced by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become one of the most urgent problems in hospitals. The biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa increase its resistance to antibiotics. A simulated microgravity (SMG) environment provides a platform to understand the factors affecting biofilm formation in bacteria. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the SMG effects on MDR P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and explore the relevant mechanisms. Methods: In this study, a clinostat was used to simulate a microgravity (MG) environment. The motility and biofilm formation ability of MDR P. aeruginosa were observed using the swimming test and the crystal violet staining method, respectively. The underlying mechanism of phenotypic changes was further investigated by comparative transcriptomic analysis. Results: Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa grown under the SMG condition exhibited decreased swimming motility and biofilm formation ability compared to those under the normal gravity (NG) condition. Further analysis revealed that the decreased swimming motility and biofilm formation ability could be attributed to the downregulated expression of genes responsible for flagellar synthesis (flhB, fliQ, and fliR) and type IV pili biogenesis (pilDEXY1Y2VW). Conclusions: This is the first study to perform experiments on MDR P. aeruginosa under the SMG condition. It will be beneficial to understand the mechanism of MDR P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and develop new treatment strategies for infectious diseases induced by MDR P. aeruginosa in the future.

scholarly journals atpD gene sequencing, multidrug resistance traits, virulence-determinants, and antimicrobial resistance genes of emerging XDR and MDR-Proteus mirabilis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelazeem M. Algammal ◽  
Hany R. Hashem ◽  
Khyreyah J. Alfifi ◽  
Helal F. Hetta ◽  
Norhan S. Sheraba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Proteus Mirabilis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Gene Sequencing ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Port Said

AbstractProteus mirabilis is a common opportunistic pathogen causing severe illness in humans and animals. To determine the prevalence, antibiogram, biofilm-formation, screening of virulence, and antimicrobial resistance genes in P. mirabilis isolates from ducks; 240 samples were obtained from apparently healthy and diseased ducks from private farms in Port-Said Province, Egypt. The collected samples were examined bacteriologically, and then the recovered isolates were tested for atpD gene sequencing, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm-formation, PCR detection of virulence, and antimicrobial resistance genes. The prevalence of P. mirabilis in the examined samples was 14.6% (35/240). The identification of the recovered isolates was confirmed by the atpD gene sequencing, where the tested isolates shared a common ancestor. Besides, 94.3% of P. mirabilis isolates were biofilm producers. The recovered isolates were resistant to penicillins, sulfonamides, β-Lactam-β-lactamase-inhibitor-combinations, tetracyclines, cephalosporins, macrolides, and quinolones. Using PCR, the retrieved strains harbored atpD, ureC, rsbA, and zapA virulence genes with a prevalence of 100%, 100%, 94.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. Moreover, 31.4% (11/35) of the recovered strains were XDR to 8 antimicrobial classes that harbored blaTEM, blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M, tetA, and sul1 genes. Besides, 22.8% (8/35) of the tested strains were MDR to 3 antimicrobial classes and possessed blaTEM, tetA, and sul1genes. Furthermore, 17.1% (6/35) of the tested strains were MDR to 7 antimicrobial classes and harbored blaTEM, blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M, tetA, and sul1 genes. Alarmingly, three strains were carbapenem-resistant that exhibited PDR to all the tested 10 antimicrobial classes and shared blaTEM, blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M, tetA, and sul1 genes. Of them, two strains harbored the blaNDM-1 gene, and one strain carried the blaKPC gene. In brief, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the emergence of XDR and MDR-P.mirabilis in ducks. Norfloxacin exhibited promising antibacterial activity against the recovered XDR and MDR-P. mirabilis. The emergence of PDR, XDR, and MDR-strains constitutes a threat alarm that indicates the complicated treatment of the infections caused by these superbugs.

scholarly journals The Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Macrophage Phenotype

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1205
Author(s):  
Christopher Ludtka ◽  
Erika Moore ◽  
Josephine B. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Simulated Microgravity ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Microgravity Environment ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
Macrophage Function ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

The effects of spaceflight, including prolonged exposure to microgravity, can have significant effects on the immune system and human health. Altered immune cell function can lead to adverse health events, though precisely how and to what extent a microgravity environment impacts these cells remains uncertain. Macrophages, a key immune cell, effect the inflammatory response as well as tissue remodeling and repair. Specifically, macrophage function can be dictated by phenotype that can exist between spectrums of M0 macrophage: the classically activated, pro-inflammatory M1, and the alternatively activated, pro-healing M2 phenotypes. This work assesses the effects of simulated microgravity via clinorotation on M0, M1, and M2 macrophage phenotypes. We focus on phenotypic, inflammatory, and angiogenic gene and protein expression. Our results show that across all three phenotypes, microgravity results in a decrease in TNF-α expression and an increase in IL-12 and VEGF expression. IL-10 was also significantly increased in M1 and M2, but not M0 macrophages. The phenotypic cytokine expression profiles observed may be related to specific gravisensitive signal transduction pathways previously implicated in microgravity regulation of macrophage gene and protein expression. Our results highlight the far-reaching effects that simulated microgravity has on macrophage function and provides insight into macrophage phenotypic function in microgravity.

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