Preventing bacterial adhesion to skin by altering their physicochemical cell surface properties specifically

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biophysics
• Dermatology

Background:

• Bacterial adhesion to surfaces is crucial for colonization and infection.
• Understanding the factors influencing bacterial adhesion to skin is vital for preventing skin infections.
• Physicochemical properties of surfaces play a significant role in bacterial-surface interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differential adhesion of skin bacteria to a 3D skin model.
• To identify key physicochemical parameters influencing bacterial adhesion.
• To explore strategies for modulating bacterial adhesion by altering surface properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a representative 3D skin model to assess bacterial adhesion.
• Analyzed the correlation between various physicochemical properties (e.g., Lewis acidity, hydrophobicity) and antiadhesion effects.
• Examined gene expression related to classical adhesion pathways in Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

• Differential adhesion levels of skin bacteria were observed on the 3D skin model.
• Lewis acid and hydrophobicity were strongly correlated with antiadhesion properties of tested compounds.
• Reduced Staphylococcus aureus adhesion was primarily driven by modulation of physicochemical properties.
• No significant changes in classical adhesion pathway gene expression were detected.

Conclusions:

• Physicochemical properties of epidermal and bacterial surfaces can be modulated to control bacterial adhesion and colonization.
• Targeting surface hydrophobicity and Lewis acidity offers a promising strategy to reduce Staphylococcus aureus skin adhesion.
• Modulation of physicochemical properties is a primary mechanism for reducing bacterial adhesion, independent of classical adhesion pathways.