Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Mycobacterial Biofilm Protocols for Enhanced Bacterial Metabolism Research
Published on: July 12, 2024
Mycoplasma biofilms ex vivo and in vivo
Warren L Simmons1, Kevin Dybvig
1Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0024, USA. wsimmons@uab.edu
Abstract:
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that are encased in polymeric matrixes and grow attached to biotic or abiotic surfaces. Despite their enhanced ability to resist antimicrobials and components of the immune system in vitro, few studies have addressed the interactions of biofilms with the host at the organ level. Although mycoplasmas have been shown to form biofilms on glass and plastic surfaces, it has not been determined whether they form biofilms on the tracheal epithelium. We developed a tracheal organ-mounting system that allowed the entire surface of the tracheal lumen to be scanned using fluorescence microscopy. We observed the biofilms formed by the murine respiratory pathogen Mycoplasma pulmonis on the epithelium of trachea in tracheal organ culture and in experimentally infected mice and found similar structure and biological characteristics as biofilms formed in vitro. This tracheal organ-mounting system can be used to study interactions between biofilms formed by respiratory pathogens and the host epithelium and to identify the factors that contribute to biofilm formation in vivo.
Insights
This study demonstrates that Mycoplasma pulmonis forms biofilms on the tracheal epithelium, similar to in vitro observations. A novel organ-mounting system facilitates studying respiratory pathogen biofilms and host interactions in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pathogenesis
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
Background:
- Biofilms are microbial communities resistant to antimicrobials and immune responses.
- Mycoplasma species form biofilms on abiotic surfaces, but in vivo tracheal epithelium biofilm formation is uncharacterized.
- Understanding respiratory pathogen biofilms is crucial for treating infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Mycoplasma pulmonis biofilm formation on the tracheal epithelium.
- To develop and utilize a tracheal organ-mounting system for in vivo biofilm studies.
- To compare in vitro and in vivo biofilm characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Development of a tracheal organ-mounting system for fluorescence microscopy.
- Observation of biofilms on tracheal epithelium in organ culture and experimentally infected mice.
- Analysis of biofilm structure and biological characteristics.
Main Results:
- Mycoplasma pulmonis forms biofilms on the tracheal epithelium in organ culture.
- Similar biofilm structures and characteristics were observed in experimentally infected mice.
- The developed system enabled visualization of biofilms on the entire tracheal lumen surface.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma pulmonis forms biofilms on the tracheal epithelium in vivo.
- The tracheal organ-mounting system is effective for studying respiratory pathogen biofilms.
- This system aids in identifying factors contributing to in vivo biofilm formation.
