Open AccessBiofilm and planktonic E nterococcus faecalis elicit different responses from host phagocytes in vitro
Author(s) -
Daw Kasturee,
Baghdayan Arto S.,
Awasthi Shanjana,
Shankar Nathan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00944.x
Subject(s) - biofilm , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , proinflammatory cytokine , enterococcus faecalis , phagocytosis , phagocyte , virulence , secretion , macrophage , context (archaeology) , bacteria , in vitro , immunology , inflammation , staphylococcus aureus , biochemistry , genetics , gene , paleontology
E nterococcus faecalis is a commensal organism of the gastrointestinal tract but can also cause serious opportunistic infections. In addition to high levels of antibiotic resistance, the ability to form biofilms on abiotic surfaces and on in‐dwelling devices within the host complicates treatment strategies and successful outcomes of antibiotic therapy. Despite rapid advances made in recent years in understanding the genomics and virulence of this organism, much remains to be learned regarding the host response to enterococcal infections. In this study, we investigated the interaction of RAW 264.7 macrophages and JAWS II dendritic cells with biofilm and planktonic E . faecalis , in vitro . Specifically, we compared phagocytosis, intracellular survival, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and the activation and maturation of phagocytes. Our results revealed that both macrophages and dendritic cells phagocytize biofilm mode cells at levels equal to or better than their planktonic counterparts. Internalized biofilm bacteria showed relatively greater survival at 24 h in macrophages than in dendritic cells and led to slightly higher expression of phagocyte activation markers. Macrophages infected with biofilm cells also secreted lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines studied. Overall, these results suggest that biofilm E . faecalis may be better adapted to overcome host defenses in vivo .