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Cutibacterium acnes Biofilm Study during Bone Cells Interaction.
Céline Mongaret1,2, Jennifer Varin-Simon1, Fabien Lamret1
1EA 4691 Biomatériaux et Inflammation en Site Osseux (BIOS), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, SFR Cap Santé (FED 4231), 51100 Reims, France.
Microorganisms
|September 16, 2020
Summary
Commensal Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) can persist inside bone cells and significantly increase biofilm formation, especially on medical implants. This internalization behavior was not observed in bone infection C. acnes strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Orthopedics
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is an opportunistic pathogen implicated in bone and prosthesis infections (BPIs).
- Understanding C. acnes behavior within the bone microenvironment is crucial for treating BPIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between commensal and BPI C. acnes strains with osteoblast-like cells.
- To assess the impact of internalization on C. acnes biofilm formation and persistence in a bone environment.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial internalization assays using osteoblast-like cells.
- Biofilm formation assays on standard and titanium surfaces.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay for cytotoxicity assessment.
- Fluorescent staining for bacterial viability.
- Genomic analysis of C. acnes strains.
Main Results:
- Commensal C. acnes showed intracellular persistence in osteoblast-like cells (up to 48h) with no cytotoxic effect.
- Internalization significantly increased biofilm formation (2.8-fold) in 50% of commensal strains, exacerbated on titanium supports.
- BPI C. acnes strains exhibited similar internalization rates but no increase in biofilm formation.
- Increased live bacteria were observed within biofilms after cell interaction for all strains.
Conclusions:
- Osteoblast-like cell internalization can influence commensal C. acnes behavior, promoting increased biofilm formation.
- This interaction may represent a novel mechanism contributing to C. acnes pathogenesis in bone and prosthesis infections.
- Genomic analysis did not correlate clinical origin or phylotype with observed behaviors.

