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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 16, 2011
Adhesion of microorganisms to bovine submaxillary mucin coatings: effect of coating deposition conditions
Ibraheem A Bushnak1, Fatima H Labeed, Richard P Sear
1Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Abstract:
The adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans on mucin coatings was evaluated to explore the feasibility of using the coating to increase the infection resistance of biomaterials. Coatings of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) were deposited on a base layer consisting of a poly(acrylic acid-b-methyl methacrylate) (PAA-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer. This bi-layer system exploits the mucoadhesive interactions of the PAA block to aid the adhesion of mucin to the substratum, whereas the PMMA block prevents dissolution of the coating in aqueous environments. The thickness of the mucin coating was adjusted by varying the pH of the solution from which it was deposited. Thin mucin coatings decreased the numbers of bacteria but increased the numbers of C. albicans adhering to the copolymer and control surfaces. Increasing the mucin film thickness resulted in a further lowering of the density of adhering S. epidermidis cells, but it did not affect the density of E. coli. In contrast, the density of C. albicans increased with an increase in mucin thickness.
Insights
This study explored using mucin coatings on biomaterials to resist infections. Thicker mucin coatings reduced bacterial adhesion but increased Candida albicans adherence, showing varied effects on infection resistance.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Biomaterial-associated infections are a significant clinical challenge.
- Developing effective infection resistance strategies for biomaterials is crucial.
- Mucin coatings offer potential for enhanced biocompatibility and reduced microbial adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using mucin coatings to improve biomaterial infection resistance.
- To investigate the effect of mucin coating thickness on the adhesion of specific microorganisms.
- To explore the potential of a poly(acrylic acid-b-methyl methacrylate) (PAA-b-PMMA) diblock copolymer as a substrate for mucin deposition.
Main Methods:
- Deposition of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) onto a PAA-b-PMMA diblock copolymer substrate.
- Adjustment of mucin coating thickness by controlling solution pH during deposition.
- Quantification of adhered Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans on coated and control surfaces.
Main Results:
- Thin mucin coatings reduced bacterial adhesion (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli) but increased Candida albicans adhesion.
- Increasing mucin film thickness further decreased S. epidermidis adhesion.
- E. coli adhesion was unaffected by mucin thickness, while C. albicans adhesion increased with thicker mucin films.
Conclusions:
- Mucin coatings demonstrate potential for modulating microbial adhesion on biomaterials.
- Coating thickness is a critical parameter influencing the adhesion of different microorganisms.
- The PAA-b-PMMA copolymer effectively supports mucin deposition, creating a tunable anti-infective surface.
