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Heme alters biofilm formation in Mycobacterium abscessus
Hadia Aftab1, Jessica Samudio1, Grace Wang1
1Department of Chemistry, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) is commonly found in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. During infection, Mabs can form biofilms in the lung which reduce both the ability of the immune response to clear infection and the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy. In the CF lung, heme and hemoglobin levels are increased and may provide both iron and heme to Mabs cells. In this work, we show that exogenous heme altered Mabs biofilm formation and measured the effects of exogenous heme on protein level and metabolism in Mabs. Our findings suggest that heme impacts iron homeostasis in Mabs and affects other aspects of its metabolism, highlighting the potential role of heme as a critical nutrient for Mabs growth and biofilm formation.IMPORTANCEMycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) is commonly found in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung, where Mabs can form biofilms that can reduce the efficacy of antibiotics. During infection, the CF lung can have more than 10 times the extracellular heme than that of a healthy lung. We have found that extracellular heme can change the way Mabs cells grow and form biofilms, which may have implications for pathogenesis.
Insights
Heme, found in cystic fibrosis lungs, significantly impacts Mycobacterium abscessus growth and biofilm formation. This study reveals heme
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cystic Fibrosis Pathogenesis
Background:
- Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) is a prevalent pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) lungs.
- Mabs forms biofilms that impede immune clearance and antibiotic treatment efficacy.
- The CF lung environment exhibits elevated heme and hemoglobin levels, potentially serving as nutrient sources for Mabs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of exogenous heme on Mabs biofilm formation.
- To analyze the impact of heme on Mabs protein levels and metabolism.
- To elucidate the role of heme in Mabs pathogenesis within the CF lung.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Mabs with exogenous heme.
- Quantifying biofilm formation.
- Analyzing protein expression and metabolic profiles.
Main Results:
- Exogenous heme significantly altered Mabs biofilm formation.
- Heme influenced Mabs protein levels and metabolic pathways.
- Findings suggest heme affects iron homeostasis in Mabs.
Conclusions:
- Heme acts as a critical nutrient influencing Mabs growth and biofilm development.
- Heme's role in Mabs metabolism has implications for CF lung pathogenesis.
- Targeting heme metabolism could be a therapeutic strategy against Mabs infections.
