Revolutionary research: This is how we defeat dangerous biofilms!

Revolutionary research: This is how we defeat dangerous biofilms!

A recent report from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) shows how bacteria in the form of biofilms can pose a serious threat to health. These biofilms, which contain collections of bacteria and microorganisms, are not only resilient but can also harbor what makes them potential disease vectors. Particularly alarming is the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is responsible for various infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections and meningitis, and is considered a major hospital pathogen. HHU reports that….

In a comprehensive research project, chemists at HHU, in collaboration with colleagues from Munich and Groningen, investigated the export of the polysaccharide “Pel”, which is crucial for the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. These results were published in the journal Nature Communications. The PelBC export complex, an essential structure, is the final step within the bacterial cell before Pel is released to form the biofilm matrix. By using cryo-electron microscopy, the previously unknown structure and dynamics of this machinery were analyzed.

The role of polysaccharides

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces at least three different extracellular polysaccharides, including Pel, Psl, and alginate, all of which are important for biofilm development. A study shows that non-mucoid variants can use either Pel or Psl as the primary structural polysaccharide. Mutation analyzes highlighted that Psl is crucial for surface attachment in most isolates, while Pel becomes significantly important in later stages of biofilm formation. {' PMC reports that… ‘}

The researchers classified the bacterial strains into four groups based on their functional and expression profiles of Pel and Psl. This classification was used to understand how different strains can maintain biofilm formation despite mutations in the exopolysaccharide genes. In particular, research shows that excessive production of Pel and Psl could represent a survival strategy in changing environments.

The dangers of biofilms

Biofilms represent a massive challenge for therapeutic interventions. Their structure makes them significantly more resistant to antimicrobial agents compared to planktonic cells. This often leads to chronic infections and therapeutic agents that fail. Morbidity and mortality rates in Pseudomonas-infected patients vary between 20 and 60%, particularly for multidrug-resistant strains. Risk factors for such infections include structural lung disease, hematologic neoplasms, and recent antibiotic use.

Future research should not only shed further light on the mechanisms of the Pel express complex, but also on the interaction between Pel and other protein complexes that are involved in the synthesis of Pel. Strategies to combat biofilm-based infections, such as inhibition of quorum sensing systems and the development of new antimicrobial peptides, are also the target of ongoing investigations. PMC highlights that…