scholarly journals Transcriptome analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infection in an ex vivo pig model of the cystic fibrosis lung.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niamh E. Harrington ◽  
Jenny L. Littler ◽  
Freya Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Transcriptome Analysis ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Clinical Diagnostics ◽  
Growth Environment ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Biofilm Infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the predominant cause of chronic biofilm infections that form in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). These infections are highly resistant to antibiotics and persist for years in the respiratory tract. One of the main research challenges is that current laboratory models do not accurately replicate key aspects of a P. aeruginosa biofilm infection, highlighted by previous RNA-sequencing studies. We compared the P. aeruginosa PA14 transcriptome in an ex vivo pig lung (EVPL) model of CF and a well-studied synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium (SCFM). P. aeruginosa was grown in the EVPL model for 1, 2 and 7 days, and in vitro in SCFM for 1 and 2 days. The RNA was extracted and sequenced at each time point. Our findings demonstrate that expression of antimicrobial resistance genes was cued by growth in the EVPL model, highlighting the importance of growth environment in determining accurate resistance profiles. The EVPL model created two distinct growth environments: tissue-associated biofilm and the SCFM surrounding tissue, each cued a transcriptome distinct from that seen in SCFM in vitro . The expression of quorum sensing associated genes in the EVPL tissue-associated biofilm at 48 h relative to in vitro SCFM was similar to CF sputum versus in vitro conditions. Hence, the EVPL model can replicate key aspects of in vivo biofilm infection that are missing from other current models. It provides a more accurate P. aeruginosa growth environment for determining antimicrobial resistance that quickly drives P. aeruginosa into a chronic-like infection phenotype. Importance Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections that affect people with cystic fibrosis are resistant to most available antimicrobial treatments. The lack of a laboratory model that captures all key aspects of these infections hinders not only research progression but also clinical diagnostics. We used transcriptome analysis to demonstrate how a model using pig lungs can more accurately replicate key characteristics of P. aeruginosa lung infection, including mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and infection establishment. Therefore, this model may be used in the future to further understand infection dynamics to develop novel treatments and more accurate treatment plans. This could improve clinical outcomes as well as quality of life for individuals affected by these infections.

scholarly journals Transcriptome analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infection in an ex vivo pig model of the cystic fibrosis lung

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niamh E Harrington ◽  
Jenny L Littler ◽  
Freya Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Growth Environment ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Biofilm Infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the predominant cause of chronic biofilm infections that form in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). These infections are highly resistant to antibiotics and persist for years in the respiratory tract. One of the main research challenges is that current laboratory models do not accurately replicate key aspects of a chronic P. aeruginosa biofilm infection, highlighted by previous RNA-sequencing studies. We compared the P. aeruginosa PA14 transcriptome in an ex vivo pig lung (EVPL) model of CF and a well-studied synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium (SCFM). P. aeruginosa was grown in the EVPL model for 1, 2 and 7 days, and in vitro in SCFM for 1 and 2 days. The RNA was extracted and sequenced at each time point. Our findings demonstrate that expression of antimicrobial resistance genes was cued by growth in the EVPL model, highlighting the importance of growth environment in determining accurate resistance profiles. The EVPL model created two distinct growth environments: tissue-associated biofilm and the SCFM surrounding tissue, each of which cued a transcriptome distinct from that seen in SCFM in vitro. The expression of quorum sensing associated genes in the EVPL tissue-associated biofilm at 48 h relative to in vitro SCFM was found to be similar to CF sputum versus in vitro conditions. Hence, the EVPL model can replicate key aspects of in vivo biofilm infection that are missing from other current models and provides a more accurate P. aeruginosa growth environment for determining antimicrobial resistance.

scholarly journals Building a better biofilm - formation of in vivo-like biofilm structures by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a porcine model of cystic fibrosis lung infection

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niamh E. Harrington ◽  
Esther Sweeney ◽  
Freya Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Lung Infection ◽  
Transposon Insertion ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Biofilm Infection

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung are highly resistant to current antimicrobial treatments and are associated with increased mortality rates. The existing models for such infections are not able to reliably mimic the clinical biofilms observed. We aimed to further optimise an ex vivo pig lung (EVPL) model for P. aeruginosa CF lung infection that can be used to increase understanding of chronic CF biofilm infection. The EVPL model will facilitate discovery of novel infection prevention methods and treatments, and enhanced exploration of biofilm architecture. We investigated purine metabolism and biofilm formation in the model using transposon insertion mutants in P. aeruginosa PA14 for key genes: purD, gacA and pelA. Our results demonstrate that EVPL recapitulates a key aspect of in vivo P. aeruginosa infection metabolism, and that the pathogen forms a biofilm with a clinically realistic structure not seen in other in vitro studies. Two pathways known to be required for in vivo biofilm infection - the Gac regulatory pathway and production of the Pel exopolysaccharide - are essential to the formation of this mature, structured biofilm on EVPL tissue. We propose the high-throughput EVPL model as a validated biofilm platform to bridge the gap between in vitro and CF lung infection.

scholarly journals Disruption of Cross-Feeding Inhibits Pathogen Growth in the Sputa of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Flynn ◽  
Lydia C. Cameron ◽  
Talia D. Wiggen ◽  
Jordan M. Dunitz ◽  
William R. Harcombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growth Environment ◽  
Polymicrobial Infections

ABSTRACT A critical limitation in the management of chronic polymicrobial infections is the lack of correlation between antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and patient responses to therapy. Underlying this disconnect is our inability to accurately recapitulate the in vivo environment and complex polymicrobial communities in vitro. However, emerging evidence suggests that, if modeled and tested accurately, interspecies relationships can be exploited by conventional antibiotics predicted to be ineffective by standard AST. As an example, under conditions where Pseudomonas aeruginosa relies on cocolonizing organisms for nutrients (i.e., cross-feeding), multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa may be indirectly targeted by inhibiting the growth of its metabolic partners. While this has been shown in vitro using synthetic bacterial communities, the efficacy of a “weakest-link” approach to controlling host-associated polymicrobial infections has not yet been demonstrated. To test whether cross-feeding inhibition can be leveraged in clinically relevant contexts, we collected sputa from cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects and used enrichment culturing to isolate both P. aeruginosa and anaerobic bacteria from each sample. Predictably, both subpopulations showed various antibiotic susceptibilities when grown independently. However, when P. aeruginosa was cultured and treated under cooperative conditions in which it was dependent on anaerobic bacteria for nutrients, the growth of both the pathogen and the anaerobe was constrained despite their intrinsic antibiotic resistance profiles. These data demonstrate that the control of complex polymicrobial infections may be achieved by exploiting obligate or facultative interspecies relationships. Toward this end, in vitro susceptibility testing should evolve to more accurately reflect in vivo growth environments and microbial interactions found within them. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic efficacy achieved in vitro correlates poorly with clinical outcomes after treatment of chronic polymicrobial diseases; if a pathogen demonstrates susceptibility to a given antibiotic in the lab, that compound is often ineffective when administered clinically. Conversely, if a pathogen is resistant in vitro, patient treatment with that same compound can elicit a positive response. This discordance suggests that the in vivo growth environment impacts pathogen antibiotic susceptibility. Indeed, here we demonstrate that interspecies relationships among microbiotas in the sputa of cystic fibrosis patients can be targeted to indirectly inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The therapeutic implication is that control of chronic lung infections may be achieved by exploiting obligate or facultative relationships among airway bacterial community members. This strategy is particularly relevant for pathogens harboring intrinsic multidrug resistance and is broadly applicable to chronic polymicrobial airway, wound, and intra-abdominal infections.

scholarly journals Expression of ExsA in trans Confers Type III Secretion System-Dependent Cytotoxicity on Noncytotoxic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cystic Fibrosis Isolates

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 538-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Dacheux ◽  
Ina Attree ◽  
Bertrand Toussaint
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Type Iii Secretion ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Type Iii Secretion System ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
In Trans

ABSTRACT Twelve Pseudomonas aeruginosa cystic fibrosis isolates that are not able to exert a type III secretion system (TTSS)-dependent cytotoxicity towards phagocytes have been further studied. The strains, although possessing TTSS genes and exsA, which encodes a positive regulator of the TTSS regulon, showed no transcriptional activation of the exsCBA regulatory operon. The expression of exsA in trans restored the in vitro secretion of TTSS proteins and ex vivo cytotoxicity.

scholarly journals An ex vivo lung model to study bronchioles infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freya Harrison ◽  
Stephen P. Diggle
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Lung Infection ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Lung Model ◽  
Physical And Chemical

AbstractA key aim in microbiology is to determine the genetic and phenotypic bases of bacterial virulence, persistence and antimicrobial resistance in chronic biofilm infections. This requires tractable, high-throughput models that reflect the physical and chemical environment encountered in specific infection contexts. Such models will increase the predictive power of microbiological experiments and provide platforms for enhanced testing of novel antibacterial or antivirulence therapies. We present an optimised ex vivo model of cystic fibrosis lung infection: ex vivo culture of pig bronchiolar tissue in artificial cystic fibrosis mucus. We focus on the formation of biofilms by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show highly repeatable and specific formation of biofilms that resemble clinical biofilms by a commonly-studied lab strain and ten cystic fibrosis isolates of this key opportunistic pathogen.

scholarly journals Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa IgY Antibodies Induce Specific Bacterial Aggregation and Internalization in Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 2686-2693 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Thomsen ◽  
L. Christophersen ◽  
T. Bjarnsholt ◽  
P. Ø. Jensen ◽  
C. Moser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bacterial Fitness ◽  
Bacterial Hydrophobicity ◽  
Biofilm Infection

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are essential cellular constituents in the innate host response, and their recruitment to the lungs and subsequent ubiquitous phagocytosis controls primary respiratory infection. Cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease is characterized by progressive pulmonary decline governed by a persistent, exaggerated inflammatory response dominated by PMNs. The principal contributor is chronicPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilm infection, which attracts and activates PMNs and thereby is responsible for the continuing inflammation. Strategies to prevent initial airway colonization withP. aeruginosaby augmenting the phagocytic competence of PMNs may postpone the deteriorating chronic biofilm infection. Anti-P. aeruginosaIgY antibodies significantly increase the PMN-mediated respiratory burst and subsequent bacterial killing ofP. aeruginosain vitro. The mode of action is attributed to IgY-facilitated formation of immobilized bacteria in aggregates, as visualized by fluorescence microscopy and the induction of increased bacterial hydrophobicity. Thus, the present study demonstrates that avian egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) targetingP. aeruginosamodify bacterial fitness, which enhances bacterial killing by PMN-mediated phagocytosis and thereby may facilitate a rapid bacterial clearance in airways of people with cystic fibrosis.

scholarly journals Cephalosporin nitric oxide-donor prodrug DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odel Soren ◽  
Ardeshir Rineh ◽  
Diogo G Silva ◽  
Yuming Cai ◽  
Robert P Howlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Nitric Oxide Donor ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

Abstract Objectives The cephalosporin nitric oxide (NO)-donor prodrug DEA-C3D (‘DiEthylAmin-Cephalosporin-3′-Diazeniumdiolate’) has been shown to initiate the dispersal of biofilms formed by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1. In this study, we investigated whether DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis (CF) isolates of P. aeruginosa and its effect in combination with two antipseudomonal antibiotics, tobramycin and colistin, in vitro. Methods β-Lactamase-triggered release of NO from DEA-C3D was confirmed using a gas-phase chemiluminescence detector. MICs for P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. A crystal violet staining technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of DEA-C3D on P. aeruginosa biofilms alone and in combination with tobramycin and colistin. Results DEA-C3D was confirmed to selectively release NO in response to contact with bacterial β-lactamase. Despite lacking direct, cephalosporin/β-lactam-based antibacterial activity, DEA-C3D was able to disperse biofilms formed by three P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Confocal microscopy revealed that DEA-C3D in combination with tobramycin produces similar reductions in biofilm to DEA-C3D alone, whereas the combination with colistin causes near complete eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro. Conclusions DEA-C3D is effective in dispersing biofilms formed by multiple clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and could hold promise as a new adjunctive therapy to patients with CF.

scholarly journals In Vitro Newly Isolated Environmental Phage Activity against Biofilms Preformed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ersilia Vita Fiscarelli ◽  
Martina Rossitto ◽  
Paola Rosati ◽  
Nour Essa ◽  
Valentina Crocetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
In Vitro Test ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Hospital Environments ◽  
Vitro Test ◽  
General Reliability ◽  
Phage Activity

As disease worsens in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) colonizes the lungs, causing pulmonary failure and mortality. Progressively, PA forms typical biofilms, and antibiotic treatments determine multidrug-resistant (MDR) PA strains. To advance new therapies against MDR PA, research has reappraised bacteriophages (phages), viruses naturally infecting bacteria. Because few in vitro studies have tested phages on CF PA biofilms, general reliability remains unclear. This study aimed to test in vitro newly isolated environmental phage activity against PA isolates from patients with CF at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (OBG), Rome, Italy. After testing in vitro phage activities, we combined phages with amikacin, meropenem, and tobramycin against CF PA pre-formed biofilms. We also investigated new emerging morphotypes and bacterial regrowth. We obtained 22 newly isolated phages from various environments, including OBG. In about 94% of 32 CF PA isolates tested, these phages showed in vitro PA lysis. Despite poor efficacy against chronic CF PA, five selected-lytic-phages (Φ4_ZP1, Φ9_ZP2, Φ14_OBG, Φ17_OBG, and Φ19_OBG) showed wide host activity. The Φ4_ZP1-meropenem and Φ14_OBG-tobramycin combinations significantly reduced CF PA biofilms (p < 0.001). To advance potential combined phage-antibiotic therapy, we envisage further in vitro test combinations with newly isolated phages, including those from hospital environments, against CF PA biofilms from early and chronic infections.

Murepavadin antimicrobial activity against and resistance development in cystic fibrosis Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Díez-Aguilar ◽  
Marta Hernández-García ◽  
María-Isabel Morosini ◽  
Ad Fluit ◽  
Michael M Tunney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Spontaneous Mutation ◽  
Lung Surfactant ◽  
Vitro Activity ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
Broth Microdilution ◽  
Agar Dilution

Abstract Background Murepavadin, a novel peptidomimetic antibiotic, is being developed as an inhalation therapy for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infection in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). It blocks the activity of the LptD protein in P. aeruginosa causing outer membrane alterations. Objectives To determine the in vitro activity of murepavadin against CF P. aeruginosa isolates and to investigate potential mechanisms of resistance. Methods MIC values were determined by both broth microdilution and agar dilution and results compared. The effect of artificial sputum and lung surfactant on in vitro activity was also measured. Spontaneous mutation frequency was estimated. Bactericidal activity was investigated using time–kill assays. Resistant mutants were studied by WGS. Results The murepavadin MIC50 was 0.125 versus 4 mg/L and the MIC90 was 2 versus 32 mg/L by broth microdilution and agar dilution, respectively. Essential agreement was &gt;90% when determining in vitro activity with artificial sputum or lung surfactant. It was bactericidal at a concentration of 32 mg/L against 95.4% of the strains within 1–5 h. Murepavadin MICs were 2–9 two-fold dilutions higher for the mutant derivatives (0.5 to &gt;16 mg/L) than for the parental strains. Second-step mutants were obtained for the PAO mutS reference strain with an 8×MIC increase. WGS showed mutations in genes involved in LPS biosynthesis (lpxL1, lpxL2, bamA2, lptD, lpxT and msbA). Conclusions Murepavadin characteristics, such as its specific activity against P. aeruginosa, its unique mechanism of action and its strong antimicrobial activity, encourage the further clinical evaluation of this drug.

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