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Scalable Isolation and Purification of Extracellular Vesicles from Escherichia coli and Other Bacteria
Published on: October 13, 2021
Human cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit anti-biofilm effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Talia J Solomon1, Casey M Byrne1, Seth S Boledovic1
1Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
Abstract:
The need for new antimicrobial approaches is one of the most pressing concerns in modern medicine. A particular pathogen of concern is multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is responsible for over 32 000 infections in the USA yearly. One potential class of novel antimicrobials is extracellular vesicles (EVs), which have been found to have intrinsic antimicrobial and anti-virulence properties. Here, the antimicrobial activity of EVs on P. aeruginosa was explored in the context of biofilms of hyper-virulent strain PA14. We identified the human monocyte cell line THP-1 as a promising source of EVs for this application, inducing reduced PA14 biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. THP-1 EVs were not found to affect P. aeruginosa growth planktonically within the biofilm assay or in shaken culture. Additionally, we demonstrate that anti-biofilm effects were conserved with similar efficacy across THP-1 monocyte and differentiated THP-1 macrophage-derived EVs. Further, EVs from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells also reduced PA14 biofilm formation to a similar extent as THP-1 EVs, while EVs from human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) had a similar effect to its media control. This work indicates that human cell-derived EVs from several sources possess biological and/or physical properties that reduce PA14 biofilm formation.
Insights
Human cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) show promise in combating multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. These EVs effectively reduce biofilm formation without impacting bacterial growth, offering a novel antimicrobial strategy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potential antimicrobial agents with anti-virulence properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of human cell-derived EVs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.
- To identify optimal sources of EVs for anti-biofilm applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hyper-virulent strain PA14 of P. aeruginosa.
- Tested EVs derived from THP-1 monocytes, differentiated THP-1 macrophages, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, and HEK293T cells.
- Assessed biofilm formation and planktonic bacterial growth.
Main Results:
- THP-1 cell-derived EVs significantly reduced PA14 biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner.
- EVs did not inhibit planktonic growth of P. aeruginosa.
- Anti-biofilm efficacy was observed across different human cell-derived EVs, including mesenchymal stem/stromal cells.
Conclusions:
- Human cell-derived EVs, particularly from THP-1 monocytes, are effective in inhibiting P. aeruginosa biofilm formation.
- EVs represent a promising therapeutic avenue for combating resistant bacterial biofilms.
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