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Disruption of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation using a targeted cationic peptide
Author(s) -
Hofmann Christopher M.,
Bednar Kyle J.,
Anderson James M.,
Marchant Roger E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.33273
Subject(s) - biofilm , staphylococcus epidermidis , peptide , microbiology and biotechnology , cationic polymerization , cathelicidin , formazan , bacteria , biochemistry , chemistry , biology , staphylococcus aureus , antimicrobial peptides , polymer chemistry , genetics
This study reports the use of a targeted cationic peptide with the ability to disrupt Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation. Complications due to nosocomial infections of implanted medical devices pose a significant health risk to patients, with Staphylococcus epidermidis often implicated in the case of blood‐contacting biomaterials. S. epidermidis virulence relies mainly on its ability to form a biofilm, the main component of which is polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA). We utilized the synthetic β6‐20 peptide, known to specifically bind S. epidermidis , in order to deliver a cationic polylysine peptide (G 3 K 6 ) to the bacterial surface and disrupt the charge–charge interactions needed for PIA retention and biofilm stability. The effects of the β6‐20‐G 3 K 6 peptide on biofilm formation were assessed using optical density, fluorescently labeled wheat germ agglutinin, nucleic acid stain (SYTO 9), and a metabolic assay (XTT, 2,3‐bis(2‐methoxy‐4‐nitro‐5‐sulfophenyl)‐2 H ‐tetrazolium‐5‐carboxanilide inner salt). Biofilms formed in the presence of β6‐20‐G 3 K 6 peptide (100 μ M ) resulted in a 37.9% reduction in PIA content and a 17.5% reduction of adherent bacteria relative to biofilms grown in the absence of peptide. These studies demonstrate the targeting ability of the β6‐20 peptide towards biomaterial‐adherent S. epidermidis, and highlight the potential for disrupting the early stages of biofilm formation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2012.