Inhibition by EGTA of the formation of a biofilm by clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

The effect of EGTA on the adhesion and on the formation of a biofilm by two reference and eight clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus was studied. All the clinical strains were isolated from patients from Kinshasa. Spa typing confirmed that these clinical strains were distinct. The Biofilm Ring Test (BFRT®) showed that EGTA (100 µM-10 mM) inhibited the adhesion of the four clinical methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains and the crystal violet staining method that it inhibited the formation of a biofilm by all the strains. Divalent cations abolished the effect of EGTA on the formation of a biofilm, specially in the clinical MRSA strains. EGTA had no effect on established biofilms. Only concentrations of EGTA higher than 10 mM were toxic to eukaryotic cells. Our results establish the effectiveness and the safety of lock solutions with EGTA to prevent the formation in vitro of biofilms by S. aureus.

Contribution of the production of quormones to some phenotypic characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains.

The contribution of quorum sensing in some phenotypic and pathogenic characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. The production of acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) by planktonic cultures of eight clinical and reference strains of P. aeruginosa was evaluated using two biosensors. The adhesion of the bacteria on a surface (Biofilm Ring Test ®, BFRT), their capacity to develop a biofilm (crystal violet staining method, CVSM), their sensitivity to tobramycin and their secretion of proteases or of rhamnolipids were also measured. The production and the release of AHL widely varied among the eight strains. An analysis of the extracts by TLC showed that 3-oxo-C8-HSL, 3-oxo-C10-HSL and 3-oxo-C12-HSL were released by the five strains producing the highest amount of Cn≥6-HSL. The genes lasI and lasR involved in the synthesis and response to 3-oxo-C12-HSL were detected in the genomes of all strains. Two clinical strains had deletions in the lasR gene leading to truncation of the protein. One subpopulation of the PAO1 strain had a major deletion (98 bp) of the lasR gene. Strains with significant mutations of lasR secreted the lowest amount of AHL, probably due to deficiencies in the self-induction and amplification of the synthesis of the lactone. These strains formed a biofilm with low biomass. C4-HSL production also differed among the strains and was correlated with rhamnolipid production and biofilm formation. Whereas the production of AHL varied among P. aeruginosa strains, few correlations were observed with their phenotypic properties except with their ability to form a biofilm.

Activation of calcium-insensitive phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)) by P2X(7) receptors in murine peritoneal macrophages.

Free fatty acid releases are triggered by PLA2 activation and are substrates for many enzymes such as cyclooxygenases. These reactions are responsible for the production of many prostaglandins implicated in the inflammation yet many purinergic receptors have been implicated in diseases characterised by chronic inflammation. The role of P2X receptors was evaluated in LPS-primed murine peritoneal macrophages which were labelled with either [(3)H]-oleic acid or [(3)H]-arachidonic acid. Ten µmolar thapsigargin and 1mM ATP stimulated the release of both unsaturated acids. ATP had no effect at 10 µM and ivermectin had no effect on the response to ATP. The response to ATP was inhibited by magnesium and was not observed with cells from P2X(7)(-/-) mice. The response to ATP was not affected by the removal of extracellular calcium and was inhibited by arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone and bromoenol lactone but not by pyrrophenone. The release of the [(3)H]-fatty acids by ATP and thapsigargin was diminished by PD-98058, an inhibitor of MEK-1. It was concluded that in LPS-primed macrophages, P2X(7) receptors, not P2X(4) receptors, activated an iPLA(2) and promoted the release of unsaturated fatty acids secondary to the activation of a kinase. This response might contribute to the inflammation provoked by extracellular ATP.

Distinct regulation by lipopolysaccharides of the expression of interleukin-1ß by murine macrophages and salivary glands.

The regulation of interleukin (IL)-1 expression and secretion by salivary glands and macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was compared. In wild-type mice, injection of LPS significantly decreased the volume of saliva stimulated by pilocarpine and increased its protein and amylase concentration. It did not modify the salivary concentration of IL-1ß. The cytokine was expressed by submandibular acini and ducts. Macrophages also expressed IL-1ß but at lower concentration than salivary glands. The pre-incubation of macrophages with LPS increased the phosphorylation of IκB and the expression of IL-1ß. Adenosine triphosphate also promoted the secretion of the cytokine by these cells. These responses were absent in submandibular gland cells. These glands expressed CD14, TLR4 and MyD88. P2X(7)-KO mice secreted a lower volume of saliva which contained less proteins and amylase. In conclusion, IL-1ß is constitutively expressed by submandibular glands and its secretion is not regulated by a P2X(7) agonist. In these cells, LPS do not activate the nuclear factor-κB-pro-IL-1ß axis in spite of the expression of the proteins involved in their recognition.

Study of the formation of a biofilm by clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

A study on biofilm formation was carried out using five methicillin-sensitive [MSSA] and five methicillin-resistant [MRSA] strains of S. aureus. In each group, there were four strains isolated from patients from Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC) and one reference strain. All of the strains were hydrophobic. The adherence of the bacteria to an abiotic surface was studied with the Biofilm Ring Test (BFRT®) and the crystal violet staining method (CVSM). Both techniques showed that eight of the strains formed biofilms within 2-3 h. The extent of the biofilm formed by one strain could only be observed with the CVSM. Periodate prevented the formation of biofilms and, in separate experiments, destroyed the biofilm pre-formed by the MSSA reference, but not those pre-formed by the clinical strains. Proteinase K destroyed all pre-formed biofilms. Six of the strains were icaA+; the clinical MSSA strains were not. The results also indicated different mechanisms of biofilm development between MSSA and MRSA clinical strains. The BFRT® and the CVSM are complementary techniques to study the adhesion of bacteria and the development of biofilms.

Stimulation by P2X7 receptors of calcium-dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rat submandibular glands.

BACKGROUND: Agonists of P2X7 receptors increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in immunocytes. In this work we tested this response and its effect on mitochondrial inner membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) in exocrine glands. METHODS: The production of ROS by rat submandibular glands was investigated by measuring the oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH), a fluorescent probe. The Deltapsi(m) was estimated with tetramethylrhodamine. RESULTS: Activation of P2X7 receptors by ATP or Bz-ATP increased the production of ROS. This response was not modified by inhibitors of phospholipase A2 or of various kinases. The effect of ATP was calcium-dependent and was blocked by diphenyliodonium, an inhibitor of flavoproteins. It was not affected by rotenone, an inhibitor of the complex I of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain. Scavengers of ROS had no effect on the dissipation of Deltaψ(m) by ATP. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in rat submandibular glands, P2X7 receptors stimulate in a calcium-dependent manner an oxidase generating ROS, suggesting the involvement of the dual oxidase Duox2. The production of ROS does not contribute to the depolarization of mitochondria by purinergic agonists. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Purinergic receptors could be regulators of the bactericidal properties of saliva by promoting both the secretion of peroxidase from acinar cells and by activating Duox2.