organotypic-tissue-model-systems-for-investigating-host-pathogen

Organotypic Tissue Model Systems for Investigating Host-Pathogen Interactions <em>In Vitro</em>

Recapitulating the host-pathogen interface at the epithelial or mucosal barrier in vitro remains a challenging prospect for infection biologists. While ...

Glasgow Biofilm Research Network

Glasgow Caledonian University

It is well-recognized that oral biofilms that occur in health and disease have a polymicrobial composition, though these are poorly reflected in the literature, with many studies focussing on simple mono-species biofilm model systems. The utility of polymicrobial biofilm model systems is that they more accurately reflect the oral cavity and allow researchers to ask relevant questions in basic science studies, pharmaceutical screening, and investigating inflammatory interactions. Here we describe the detailed methodology of how to sequentially construct and maintain polymicrobial biofilm models pertinent to caries, periodontal disease, and denture stomatitis.

Generation of Multispecies Oral Bacteria Biofilm Models.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects approximately 26% of women of childbearing age globally, presenting with 3-5 times increased risk of miscarriage and two-fold risk of pre-term birth Antibiotics (metronidazole and clindamycin) are typically employed to treat BV; however the success rate is low due to the formation of recalcitrant polymicrobial biofilms. As a novel therapeutic, promising results have been obtained  using  endolysins, although to date their efficacy has only been demonstrated against simple biofilm models. In this study, a four-species biofilm was developed consisting of  and . Biofilms were grown in NYC III broth and treated using antibiotics and an anti- endolysin (CCB7.1) for 24 h. Biofilm composition, viability and structure were assessed using colony counts, live/dead qPCR and scanning electron microscopy. All species colonised biofilms to varying degrees, with  being the most abundant. Biofilm composition remained largely unchanged when challenged with escalated concentrations of conventional antibiotics. A targeted endolysin candidate (CCB7.1) showed efficacy against several  species planktonically, and significantly reduced viable  within polymicrobial biofilms at 1 to 4X pMIC (p < 0.05 vs. vehicle control). Collectively, this study highlights the resilience of biofilm-embedded pathogens against the currently used antibiotics and provides a polymicrobial model that allows for more effective pre-clinical screening of BV therapies. The -specific endolysin CCB7.1 demonstrated significant activity against  within polymicrobial biofilms, altering the overall community dynamic and composition.

Article	Year
Generation of Multispecies Oral Bacteria Biofilm Models. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)\| PubMed ID: 36418689	2023
bacterial vaginosis biofilm community manipulation using endolysin therapy. Biofilm\| PubMed ID: 36655001	2023

William Johnston

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