scholarly journals Study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PPF-1 biofilm formation using microfluidics: effect of magnesium on biofilm detachment in engineered conduits

Author(s):  
William Y. Harvey ◽  
Cynthia Gagné-Thivierge ◽  
Sepideh Fakari ◽  
Jean Barbeau ◽  
Steve Charette ◽  
...  

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in certain organisms, including humans, but can also survive and proliferate in natural and engineered water systems. Microfluidic technology can address hydrodynamic questions related to bacterial contamination of water flow systems and infrastructure. In this work, a microfluidic approach was devised to study the effect of shear stresses on biofilms from a dental unit waterline (DUWL)-isolated P. aeruginosa strain, PPF-1. During application of relevant shear stress levels to DUWLs, the response of the PPF-1 biofilm was observed and compared to a clinical P. aeruginosa reference strain, PAO1. The response measurements were repeated for biofilms exposed to additional Mg2+ ions. Using a microfluidic approach to transforming optical density maps into three-dimensional images, we applied computational fluid dynamics simulations and determined the critical shear stresses for biofilm sloughing. In the absence of Mg2+, PPF-1 biofilms showed weaker attachment than PAO1 biofilms, resulting in continuous slough/regrowth cycles triggered by applied shear stresses of 1.42 +/- 0.32 Pa. Introducing Mg2+ into the PPF-1 biofilm culture medium seemed to place the biofilm into a viscoplastic mechanical state, thereby increasing mechanical stability, which resulted in elevated tolerances to shear stresses up to a critical value of 5.43 +/- 1.52 Pa. This resulted in a propensity for less frequent but more catastrophic sloughing events like that observed for the PAO1 reference strain. This suggests that in a low ionic environment, biofilms from the PPF-1 strain can result in higher and more continuous ejection of biofilm materials, possibly leading to increased downstream colonization of engineered flow systems.

2009 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 939-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Bucior ◽  
Keith Mostov ◽  
Joanne N. Engel

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important opportunistic pathogen of humans, exploits epithelial damage to establish infection. We have rigorously explored the role of N-glycoproteins and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in P. aeruginosa-mediated attachment and subsequent downstream events at the apical (AP) and basolateral (BL) surfaces of polarized epithelium. We demonstrate that the N-glycan chains at the AP surface are necessary and sufficient for binding, invasion, and cytotoxicity to kidney (MDCK) and airway (Calu-3) cells grown at various states of polarization on Transwell filters. Upregulation of N-glycosylation enhanced binding, whereas pharmacologic inhibition of N-glycosylation or infection of MDCK cells defective in N-glycosylation resulted in decreased binding. In contrast, at the BL surface, the HS moiety of HSPGs mediated P. aeruginosa binding, cytotoxicity, and invasion. In incompletely polarized epithelium, HSPG abundance was increased at the AP surface, explaining its increased susceptibility to P. aeruginosa colonization and damage. Using MDCK cells grown as three-dimensional cysts as a model for epithelial organs, we show that P. aeruginosa specifically colocalized with HS-rich areas at the BL membrane but with complex N-glycans at the AP surface. Finally, P. aeruginosa bound to HS chains and N-glycans coated on plastic surfaces, showing the highest binding affinity toward isolated HS chains. Together, these findings demonstrate that P. aeruginosa recognizes distinct receptors on the AP and BL surfaces of polarized epithelium. Changes in the composition of N-glycan chains and/or in the distribution of HSPGs may explain the enhanced susceptibility of damaged epithelium to P. aeruginosa.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tanuj Sapra ◽  
Zhao Qin ◽  
Anna Dubrovsky-Gaupp ◽  
Ueli Aebi ◽  
Daniel J. Müller ◽  
...  

AbstractThe nuclear lamina – a meshwork of intermediate filaments termed lamins – functions as a mechanotransduction interface between the extracellular matrix and the nucleus via the cytoskeleton. Although lamins are primarily responsible for the mechanical stability of the nucleus in multicellular organisms, in situ characterization of lamin filaments under tension has remained elusive. Here, we apply an integrative approach combining atomic force microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, network analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations to directly measure the mechanical response of single lamin filaments in its three-dimensional meshwork. Endogenous lamin filaments portray non-Hookean behavior – they deform reversibly under a force of a few hundred picoNewtons and stiffen at nanoNewton forces. The filaments are extensible, strong and tough, similar to natural silk and superior to the synthetic polymer Kevlar®. Graph theory analysis shows that the lamin meshwork is not a random arrangement of filaments but the meshwork topology follows ‘small world’ properties. Our results suggest that the lamin filaments arrange to form a robust, emergent meshwork that dictates the mechanical properties of individual lamin filaments. The combined approach provides quantitative insights into the structure-function organization of lamins in situ, and implies a role of meshwork topology in laminopathies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Tanuj Sapra ◽  
Zhao Qin ◽  
Anna Dubrovsky-Gaupp ◽  
Ueli Aebi ◽  
Daniel J. Müller ◽  
...  

AbstractThe nuclear lamina—a meshwork of intermediate filaments termed lamins—is primarily responsible for the mechanical stability of the nucleus in multicellular organisms. However, structural-mechanical characterization of lamin filaments assembled in situ remains elusive. Here, we apply an integrative approach combining atomic force microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, network analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations to directly measure the mechanical response of single lamin filaments in three-dimensional meshwork. Endogenous lamin filaments portray non-Hookean behavior – they deform reversibly at a few hundred picoNewtons and stiffen at nanoNewton forces. The filaments are extensible, strong and tough similar to natural silk and superior to the synthetic polymer Kevlar®. Graph theory analysis shows that the lamin meshwork is not a random arrangement of filaments but exhibits small-world properties. Our results suggest that lamin filaments arrange to form an emergent meshwork whose topology dictates the mechanical properties of individual filaments. The quantitative insights imply a role of meshwork topology in laminopathies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Birte Hollmann ◽  
Mark Perkins ◽  
Veeren M. Chauhan ◽  
Jonathan W. Aylott ◽  
Kim R. Hardie

AbstractUnderstanding the dynamic environmental microniches of biofilms will permit us to detect, manage and exploit these communities. The components and architecture of biofilms have been interrogated in depth; however, little is known about the environmental microniches present. This is primarily because of the absence of tools with the required measurement sensitivity and resolution to detect these changes. We describe the application of ratiometric fluorescent pH-sensitive nanosensors, as a tool, to observe physiological pH changes in biofilms in real time. Nanosensors comprised two pH-sensitive fluorophores covalently encapsulated with a reference pH-insensitive fluorophore in an inert polyacrylamide nanoparticle matrix. The nanosensors were used to analyse the real-time three-dimensional pH variation for two model biofilm formers: (i) opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and (ii) oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans. The detection of sugar metabolism in real time by nanosensors provides a potential application to identify therapeutic solutions to improve oral health.


2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (3) ◽  
pp. 1027-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Davey ◽  
Nicky C. Caiazza ◽  
George A. O'Toole

ABSTRACT In response to certain environmental signals, bacteria will differentiate from an independent free-living mode of growth and take up an interdependent surface-attached existence. These surface-attached microbial communities are known as biofilms. In flowing systems where nutrients are available, biofilms can develop into elaborate three-dimensional structures. The development of biofilm architecture, particularly the spatial arrangement of colonies within the matrix and the open areas surrounding the colonies, is thought to be fundamental to the function of these complex communities. Here we report a new role for rhamnolipid surfactants produced by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the maintenance of biofilm architecture. Biofilms produced by mutants deficient in rhamnolipid synthesis do not maintain the noncolonized channels surrounding macrocolonies. We provide evidence that surfactants may be able to maintain open channels by affecting cell-cell interactions and the attachment of bacterial cells to surfaces. The induced synthesis of rhamnolipids during the later stages of biofilm development (when cell density is high) implies an active mechanism whereby the bacteria exploit intercellular interaction and communication to actively maintain these channels. We propose that the maintenance of biofilm architecture represents a previously unrecognized step in the development of these microbial communities.


Author(s):  
H.A. Cohen ◽  
T.W. Jeng ◽  
W. Chiu

This tutorial will discuss the methodology of low dose electron diffraction and imaging of crystalline biological objects, the problems of data interpretation for two-dimensional projected density maps of glucose embedded protein crystals, the factors to be considered in combining tilt data from three-dimensional crystals, and finally, the prospects of achieving a high resolution three-dimensional density map of a biological crystal. This methodology will be illustrated using two proteins under investigation in our laboratory, the T4 DNA helix destabilizing protein gp32*I and the crotoxin complex crystal.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-163
Author(s):  
Ekajayanti Kining ◽  
Syamsul Falah ◽  
Novik Nurhidayat

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of opportunistic pathogen forming bacterial biofilm. The biofilm sustains the bacterial survival and infections. This study aimed to assess the activity of water extract of papaya leaves on inhibition of cells attachment, growth and degradation of the biofilm using crystal violet (CV) biofilm assay. Research results showed that water extract of papaya leaves contains alkaloids, tanins, flavonoids, and steroids/terpenoids and showed antibacterial activity and antibiofilm against P. aeruginosa. Addition of extract can inhibit the cell attachment and was able to degrade the biofilm of 40.92% and 48.058% respectively at optimum conditions: extract concentration of 25% (v/v), temperature 37.5 °C and contact time 45 minutes. With a concentration of 25% (v/v), temperature of 50 °C and the contact time of 3 days, extract of papaya leaves can inhibit the growth of biofilms of 39.837% v/v.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
Hamid Ait Said ◽  
Hassan Noukrati ◽  
Hicham Ben Youcef ◽  
Ayoub Bayoussef ◽  
Hassane Oudadesse ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional hydroxyapatite-chitosan (HA-CS) composites were formulated via solid-liquid technic and freeze-drying. The prepared composites had an apatitic nature, which was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction and Infrared spectroscopy analyses. The impact of the solid/liquid (S/L) ratio and the content and the molecular weight of the polymer on the composite mechanical strength was investigated. An increase in the S/L ratio from 0.5 to 1 resulted in an increase in the compressive strength for HA-CSL (CS low molecular weight: CSL) from 0.08 ± 0.02 to 1.95 ± 0.39 MPa and from 0.3 ± 0.06 to 2.40 ± 0.51 MPa for the HA-CSM (CS medium molecular weight: CSM). Moreover, the increase in the amount (1 to 5 wt%) and the molecular weight of the polymer increased the mechanical strength of the composite. The highest compressive strength value (up to 2.40 ± 0.51 MPa) was obtained for HA-CSM (5 wt% of CS) formulated at an S/L of 1. The dissolution tests of the HA-CS composites confirmed their cohesion and mechanical stability in an aqueous solution. Both polymer and apatite are assumed to work together, giving the synergism needed to make effective cylindrical composites, and could serve as a promising candidate for bone repair in the orthopedic field.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Kagami ◽  
Joel Roca-Martínez ◽  
Jose Gavaldá-García ◽  
Pathmanaban Ramasamy ◽  
K. Anton Feenstra ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19, consists of an assembly of proteins that determine its infectious and immunological behavior, as well as its response to therapeutics. Major structural biology efforts on these proteins have already provided essential insights into the mode of action of the virus, as well as avenues for structure-based drug design. However, not all of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, or regions thereof, have a well-defined three-dimensional structure, and as such might exhibit ambiguous, dynamic behaviour that is not evident from static structure representations, nor from molecular dynamics simulations using these structures. Main We present a website (https://bio2byte.be/sars2/) that provides protein sequence-based predictions of the backbone and side-chain dynamics and conformational propensities of these proteins, as well as derived early folding, disorder, β-sheet aggregation, protein-protein interaction and epitope propensities. These predictions attempt to capture the inherent biophysical propensities encoded in the sequence, rather than context-dependent behaviour such as the final folded state. In addition, we provide the biophysical variation that is observed in homologous proteins, which gives an indication of the limits of their functionally relevant biophysical behaviour. Conclusion The https://bio2byte.be/sars2/ website provides a range of protein sequence-based predictions for 27 SARS-CoV-2 proteins, enabling researchers to form hypotheses about their possible functional modes of action.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Xiaoya Wang

AbstractBackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which is associated with nosocomial infections and causes various diseases including urinary tract infection, pneumonia, soft-tissue infection and sepsis. The emergence of P. aeruginosa-acquired metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) is most worrisome and poses a serious threat during treatment and infection control. The objective of this study was to identify antibiotic susceptibility, phenotypic detection of MBL production and to determine the prevalence of MBL genes in carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from different clinical samples.MethodsA total of 329 non-duplicate P. aeruginosa isolated from various clinical samples from two hospitals in China between September 2017 and March 2019 were included in this study. Phenotypic detection of MBL was performed by the combined detection method using imipenem and imipenem-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) discs. MBL-encoding genes including blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaIMP-1, blaIMP-2, blaSPM-1, blaSIM, blaNDM-1 and blaGIM were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsOf the 329 P. aeruginosa, majority of the isolates were resistant to imipenem (77.5%) followed by meropenem (64.7%). Of the 270 P. aeruginosa isolates tested, 149 (55.2%) isolates were found to be positive for MBL detection. Of the different samples, 57.8% (n = 26) of P. aeruginosa isolated from blood were found to be positive for MBL production. Of the various MBL genes, blaIMP-1 (28.2%) was the most predominant gene detected followed by blaVIM-2 (18.8%), blaVIM-1 (16.1%), blaNDM-1 (9.4%), blaIMP-2 (6.7%), blaSIM (6.0%), blaSPM-1 (4.0%) and blaGIM (1.3%) genes.ConclusionsThe high resistance of P. aeruginosa toward imipenem and meropenem and the high prevalence of blaIMP-1 and blaVIM-2 set the alarm on the increasing, perhaps the increased, carbapenem resistance. In addition to routine antibiotic susceptibility testings, our results emphasize the importance of both the phenotypic and genotypic MBL detection methods in routine practice for early detection of carbapenem resistance and to prevent further dissemination of this resistant pathogen.


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