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Aminoglycosides enhance the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to HeLa cells
1Department of Microbiology, Hiroshima University School of Dentistry, Japan.
Abstract:
Sub-lethal concentrations of aminoglycosides enhanced the adherence of Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P to HeLa cells, whereas beta-lactams, pyridone carboxylic acid derivatives and chloramphenicol did not. Treatment with aminoglycosides also enhanced the bacterial adherence of these cells to immobilized fibronectin and laminin, and changed the bacterial cell surface to a more hydrophilic state than exists in non-treated cells. The adherence of S. aureus was not inhibited by lipoteichoic acid, extracted from the same strain, regardless of whether the bacterial cells were treated with an aminoglycoside or not. No correlation was observed between the adherence and zeta-potential of S. aureus.
Insights
Sub-lethal aminoglycoside antibiotics increase Staphylococcus aureus adherence to human cells and extracellular matrix proteins. This effect is linked to changes in bacterial cell surface properties, not lipoteichoic acid or zeta-potential.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common human pathogen.
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
- Understanding bacterial adherence is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sub-lethal antibiotic concentrations on Staphylococcus aureus adherence.
- To determine if different antibiotic classes have varying effects on adherence.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying antibiotic-induced changes in bacterial adherence.
Main Methods:
- Exposing Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P to sub-lethal concentrations of various antibiotics (aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, pyridone carboxylic acid derivatives, chloramphenicol).
- Assessing bacterial adherence to HeLa cells and immobilized fibronectin and laminin.
- Analyzing changes in bacterial cell surface hydrophilicity and zeta-potential.
- Investigating the role of lipoteichoic acid in bacterial adherence.
Main Results:
- Aminoglycosides, but not other tested antibiotics, significantly enhanced Staphylococcus aureus adherence to HeLa cells.
- Aminoglycoside treatment also increased adherence to fibronectin and laminin.
- Bacterial cell surface hydrophilicity increased after aminoglycoside treatment.
- Lipoteichoic acid did not inhibit adherence, and no correlation was found between adherence and zeta-potential.
Conclusions:
- Sub-lethal aminoglycosides promote Staphylococcus aureus adherence by altering cell surface properties.
- This enhanced adherence may contribute to increased virulence or infection persistence.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms involved.