Carbohydrate-independent antibiofilm effect of Bothrops jararacussu lectin BJcuL on Staphylococcus aureus

• Published in: Microbial pathogenesis Vol. 137; p. 103745
• Main Authors: Aguilar, Ananda Pereira, Onofre, Thiago Souza, Fabres-Klein, Mary Hellen, Klein, Raphael Contelli, Feio, Renato Neves, de Oliveira Mendes, Tiago Antônio, de Oliveira Barros Ribon, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibiofilm activity; Biofilms - drug effects; Bothrops; Carbohydrates - chemistry; Ciprofloxacin - pharmacology; CRD domain; Crotalid Venoms - isolation & purification; Crotalid Venoms - pharmacology; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Gentamicins - pharmacology; Lectin; Lectins, C-Type - isolation & purification; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; Staphylococcus aureus - genetics; CRD domain; Lectin; Antibiofilm activity; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 0882-4010; 1096-1208
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103745

The antivirulence approach to fighting biofilm-based infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a promising therapy that has been studied extensively. Here, we compare the antibiofilm activity of a purified lectin from Bothrops jararacussu venom (BJcuL) and commercial lectins obtained from Triticum vulgaris (Wheat Germ Agglutinin, WGA), Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-II, and Maclura pomifera. Only WGA had antibiofilm activity, although no effect was seen on pre-formed biofilms. The pre-incubation of WGA and BJcuL with their preferential sugars inhibited the biological activity of WGA, but not that of BJcuL, suggesting that biofilm disruption does not involve carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs). Quantitative real-time PCR showed that BJcuL promotes modulation of expression of S. aureus genes involved in biofilm formation. Light microscopy revealed cocci and small cell clusters after biofilm formation in the presence of BJcuL, showing that the lectin treatment was unable to completely disrupt biofilm structure. Exposing the free cells to 50 times the minimum inhibitory concentration of gentamicin or ciprofloxacin did not prevent biofilm reestablishment, although inhibition was stronger than in the control (no lectin). This disruption of the biofilm architecture can expose the bacterial cell and may facilitate clearance by the immune system. •WGA lectin has antibiofilm activity but does not disrupt S. aureus pre-formed biofilms.•BJcuL does not depend on the carbohydrate-recognition domain for antibiofilm activity.•BJcuL modulates gene expression in S. aureus.•Biofilm reestablishment was not prevented when BjCuL-treated biofilm was exposed to antibiotics.