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Updated: May 4, 2026
Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes
Published on: April 19, 2024
A relationship between Pseudomonal growth behaviour and cystic fibrosis patient lung function identified in a
Justyna Kozlowska1, Damian W Rivett1, Louic S Vermeer1
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
Abstract:
Chronic polymicrobial lung infections in adult cystic fibrosis patients are typically dominated by high levels of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Determining the impact of P. aeruginosa growth on airway secretion composition is fundamental to understanding both the behaviour of this pathogen in vivo, and its relationship with other potential colonising species. We hypothesised that the marked differences in the phenotypes of clinical isolates would be reflected in the metabolite composition of spent culture media. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to characterise the impact of P. aeruginosa growth on a synthetic medium as part of an in vitro CF lower airways model system. Comparisons of 15 CF clinical isolates were made and four distinct metabolomic clusters identified. Highly significant relationships between P. aeruginosa isolate cluster membership and both patient lung function (FEV1) and spent culture pH were identified. This link between clinical isolate growth behaviour and FEV1 indicates characterisation of P. aeruginosa growth may find application in predicting patient lung function while the significant divergence in metabolite production and consumption observed between CF clinical isolates suggests dominant isolate characteristics have the potential to play both a selective role in microbiota composition and influence pseudomonal behaviour in vivo.
Insights
Metabolite profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis patients varied significantly. These differences correlated with patient lung function, suggesting potential for predicting disease progression and understanding microbial interactions in the airways.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metabolomics
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) are often dominated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Understanding P. aeruginosa's impact on airway secretions is crucial for deciphering its in vivo behavior and interactions with other microbes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if distinct phenotypes of clinical P. aeruginosa isolates correlate with differences in their spent culture media metabolite composition.
- To explore the relationship between P. aeruginosa isolate characteristics, patient lung function (FEV1), and the airway environment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 1H NMR spectroscopy to analyze the metabolite profiles of spent culture media from 15 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates grown in an in vitro CF lower airway model.
- Clustered isolates based on their metabolomic profiles.
Main Results:
- Identified four distinct metabolomic clusters among the P. aeruginosa isolates.
- Found significant correlations between isolate cluster membership and patient FEV1, as well as spent culture pH.
- Observed significant divergence in metabolite production and consumption between different CF clinical isolates.
Conclusions:
- P. aeruginosa isolate metabolomic profiles reflect distinct growth behaviors that correlate with patient lung function (FEV1).
- Characterizing P. aeruginosa growth may aid in predicting lung function in CF patients.
- Divergent metabolite profiles suggest dominant isolates can influence airway microbiota composition and P. aeruginosa behavior in vivo.
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