Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Aggregates in Cystic Fibrosis Sputum Produce Exopolysaccharides That Likely Impede Current Therapies

Overview

Journal Cell Rep

Publisher Cell Press

Specialties Biology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2021 Feb 24

PMID 33626358

Citations 77

Authors

Laura K Jennings

Julia E Dreifus

Courtney Reichhardt

Kelly M Storek

Patrick R Secor

Daniel J Wozniak

Katherine B Hisert

Matthew R Parsek

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In cystic fibrosis (CF) airways, Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms cellular aggregates called biofilms that are thought to contribute to chronic infection. To form aggregates, P. aeruginosa can use different mechanisms, each with its own pathogenic implications. However, how they form in vivo is controversial and unclear. One mechanism involves a bacterially produced extracellular matrix that holds the aggregates together. Pel and Psl exopolysaccharides are structural and protective components of this matrix. We develop an immunohistochemical method to visualize Pel and Psl in CF sputum. We demonstrate that both exopolysaccharides are expressed in the CF airways and that the morphology of aggregates is consistent with an exopolysaccharide-dependent aggregation mechanism. We reason that the cationic exopolysaccharide Pel may interact with some of the abundant anionic host polymers in sputum. We show that Pel binds extracellular DNA (eDNA) and that this interaction likely impacts current therapies by increasing antimicrobial tolerance and protecting eDNA from digestion.

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