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Methylparaben as an environmental contaminant modulating virulence traits in waterborne bacteria
Ana Rita Pereira1, Liliana Grenho2, Inês B Gomes1
1LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
Abstract:
Methylparaben (MP), a preservative found in daily-use products, can reach drinking water (DW) due to its incomplete removal in water treatment plants. Although parabens are related to endocrine disruption, their effects on bacterial virulence as environmental contaminants remain to be understood. This study investigates the effect of MP at environmental concentrations (15 μg/L) on the virulence of planktonic and biofilm cells of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from a drinking water distribution system. The impact of MP on bacterial growth and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) release was assessed, including the size of OMVs and lipid and protein content. The ability of MP-exposed and non-exposed bacterial cells to form biofilms and the potential to invade human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were also studied. The exposure to MP causes more changes in S. maltophilia OMVs than in A. calcoaceticus. Increased lipid content in MP-exposed S. maltophilia biofilm-derived OMVs was observed. However, a lower concentration of OMVs and lipid content was found in S. maltophilia planktonic cells. The OMVs produced by MP-exposed biofilm-derived cells of A. calcoaceticus had a larger hydrodynamic diameter (Dₕ), whereas those from planktonic cells had a smaller Dₕ compared to the controls. Enhanced biofilm formation was found for both MP-exposed bacteria, and MP-exposed A. calcoaceticus planktonic cells showed a heightened ability to invade HGF, resulting in higher intracellular bacterial counts and increased replication. The overall findings underscore the impact of MP on DW bacteria, suggesting that MP can amplify interconnected bacterial virulence mechanisms, raising potential public health concerns.
Insights
Methylparaben (MP) in drinking water increases bacterial virulence. MP exposure enhanced biofilm formation and invasion capabilities in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, posing public health risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bacterial pathogenesis
- Water quality analysis
Background:
- Methylparaben (MP), a common preservative, contaminates drinking water due to incomplete removal.
- Parabens are linked to endocrine disruption, but their impact on bacterial virulence is understudied.
- Understanding MP's effects on environmental bacteria is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of environmentally relevant concentrations of MP on bacterial virulence.
- To assess MP's effects on the growth, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), biofilm formation, and host cell invasion of drinking water bacteria.
- To compare the effects of MP on Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of planktonic and biofilm cells of A. calcoaceticus and S. maltophilia to MP (15 μg/L).
- Analysis of bacterial growth, OMV characteristics (size, lipid, protein content), and OMV release.
- Assessment of biofilm formation capacity and invasion of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF).
Main Results:
- MP exposure altered OMV characteristics differently in S. maltophilia and A. calcoaceticus.
- Increased lipid content in S. maltophilia biofilm-derived OMVs; decreased OMV and lipid content in planktonic cells.
- Enhanced biofilm formation in both species; increased HGF invasion by MP-exposed A. calcoaceticus planktonic cells.
Conclusions:
- MP at environmental concentrations can significantly amplify bacterial virulence mechanisms.
- MP affects bacterial OMV production and release, influencing virulence.
- The findings highlight potential public health concerns associated with MP contamination in drinking water.
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