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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Host–Biofilm Interactions
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Host–Biofilm Interactions

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Biofilm".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 22390

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ilana Kolodkin-Gal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
Interests: structure and function of microbial communities in complex environments; phenotypic resistance of biofilms to antibiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Yun Chen

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: biofilm; biocontrol; pathogencity; microbial interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Background: In nature, bacteria form complex, differentiated multicellular communities, known as biofilms. The coordinated actions of many cells, communicating and dividing labor, improve the ability of the community to attach to hosts and protect them from environmental assaults. Bacterial biofilms are of extreme clinical importance, as they are inherently associated with many persistent and chronic bacterial infections. For example, the commensal/aquatic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause devastating chronic biofilm infections in compromised hosts, cystic fibrosis patients, and those with burn wounds or medical devices.

In addition to being a leading cause for microbial infections, biofilms can also provide beneficial effects to other organisms, e.g., biocontrol agents such as B. subtilis form biofilms on the surface of plant roots, thereby preventing the growth of bacterial and fungal pathogens. Similarly, our beneficial microbiota is surface-associated and interacts continuously with the host; it is structured like a biofilm, although perhaps not in a classical sense. Thus, developing an experimental framework for the study of biofilm–host interactions will provide medical, nutritional, technological, and agricultural advancements.

Overall Aim: This Special Issue aims to explore fundamental aspects of host–biofilm interactions, including but not limited to:

  1. Defining and quantifying host-associated biofilms
  2. Stages of colonization
  3. Infectious biofilms
  4. Symbiotic biofilm–host interactions
  5. Biological and bioinformatics methods for studying host-associated biofilm communities
  6. Adhesins and toxins
  7. 3D organization of host-associated communities
  8. Biofilm–host communication
  9. Co-feeding and metabolic networks in host-associated biofilm communities

Dr. Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 195 KiB  
Editorial
Host–Biofilm Interactions
by Yun Chen and Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
Microorganisms 2022, 10(8), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10081641 - 13 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1335
Abstract
In most natural, clinical and industrial settings, microorganisms preferentially exist in biofilms, structured communities that associate with biotic and abiotic surfaces [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)

Research

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16 pages, 405 KiB  
Article
Arcobacter butzleri Biofilms: Insights into the Genes Beneath Their Formation
by Adrián Salazar-Sánchez, Itsaso Baztarrika, Rodrigo Alonso, Aurora Fernández-Astorga, Ilargi Martínez-Ballesteros and Irati Martinez-Malaxetxebarria
Microorganisms 2022, 10(7), 1280; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071280 - 23 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1864
Abstract
Arcobacter butzleri, the most prevalent species of the genus, has the demonstrated ability to adhere to various surfaces through biofilm production. The biofilm formation capability has been related to the expression of certain genes, which have not been characterized in A. butzleri [...] Read more.
Arcobacter butzleri, the most prevalent species of the genus, has the demonstrated ability to adhere to various surfaces through biofilm production. The biofilm formation capability has been related to the expression of certain genes, which have not been characterized in A. butzleri. In order to increase the knowledge of this foodborne pathogen, the aim of this study was to assess the role of six biofilm-associated genes in campylobacteria (flaA, flaB, fliS, luxS, pta and spoT) in the biofilm formation ability of A. butzleri. Knockout mutants were constructed from different foodborne isolates, and static biofilm assays were conducted on polystyrene (PS), reinforced glass and stainless steel. Additionally, motility and Congo red binding assays were performed. In general, mutants in flaAB, fliS and luxS showed a decrease in the biofilm production irrespective of the surface; mutants in spoT showed an increase on stainless steel, and mutants in pta and spoT showed a decrease on reinforced glass but an increase on PS. Our work sheds light on the biofilm-related pathogenesis of A. butzleri, although future studies are necessary to achieve a satisfactory objective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
17 pages, 1930 KiB  
Article
Socialization of Providencia stuartii Enables Resistance to Environmental Insults
by Julie Lopes, Guillaume Tetreau, Kevin Pounot, Mariam El Khatib and Jacques-Philippe Colletier
Microorganisms 2022, 10(5), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10050901 - 25 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1846
Abstract
Providencia stuartii is a highly social pathogen responsible for nosocomial chronic urinary tract infections. The bacterium indeed forms floating communities of cells (FCC) besides and prior-to canonical surface-attached biofilms (SAB). Within P. stuartii FCC, cells are riveted one to another owing to by [...] Read more.
Providencia stuartii is a highly social pathogen responsible for nosocomial chronic urinary tract infections. The bacterium indeed forms floating communities of cells (FCC) besides and prior-to canonical surface-attached biofilms (SAB). Within P. stuartii FCC, cells are riveted one to another owing to by self-interactions between its porins, viz. Omp-Pst1 and Omp-Pst2. In pathophysiological conditions, P. stuartii is principally exposed to high concentrations of urea, ammonia, bicarbonate, creatinine and to large variations of pH, questioning how these environmental cues affect socialization, and whether formation of SAB and FCC protects cells against those. Results from our investigations indicate that FCC and SAB can both form in the urinary tract, endowing cells with increased resistance and fitness. They additionally show that while Omp-Pst1 is the main gateway allowing penetration of urea, bicarbonate and ammonia into the periplasm, expression of Omp-Pst2 enables resistance to them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
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10 pages, 5517 KiB  
Communication
The Impact of Norepinephrine on Mono-Species and Dual-Species Staphylococcal Biofilms
by Sergey Vladislavovich Mart’yanov, Ekaterina Alexandrovna Botchkova, Vladimir Konstantinovich Plakunov and Andrei Vladislavovich Gannesen
Microorganisms 2021, 9(4), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9040820 - 13 Apr 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1846
Abstract
The effect of norepinephrine (“NE”) on Gram-negative bacteria is well characterized; however, little is known about the impact of NE on cutaneous Gram-positive skin residents, especially staphylococci. In this study, the impact of NE on monospecies and dual-species biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and [...] Read more.
The effect of norepinephrine (“NE”) on Gram-negative bacteria is well characterized; however, little is known about the impact of NE on cutaneous Gram-positive skin residents, especially staphylococci. In this study, the impact of NE on monospecies and dual-species biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus model strains was investigated for the first time. Biofilms were grown in two different models (on polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) cubes and glass microfiber filters (“GMFFs”)) and additionally kinetic measurements of bacterial growth was performed. We have shown that NE can affect the biofilm formation of both species with a strong dependence on aerobic or anaerobic culture conditions in different models. It was shown that S. epidermidis suppresses S. aureus growth in dual-species biofilms and that NE can accelerate this process, contributing to the competitive behavior of staphylococci. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
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21 pages, 4756 KiB  
Article
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Affects Skin Commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium acnes Dual-Species Biofilms
by Maria Alekseevna Ovcharova, Olga Vyacheslavovna Geraskina, Natalya Dmitrievna Danilova, Ekaterina Alexandrovna Botchkova, Sergey Vladislavovich Martyanov, Alexey Valeryevich Feofanov, Vladimir Konstantinovich Plakunov and Andrei Vladislavovich Gannesen
Microorganisms 2021, 9(3), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9030552 - 08 Mar 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2328
Abstract
The first evidence of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) effect on mono-species and dual-species biofilms of skin commensals Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis was obtained in different model systems. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of hormones on the microbial communities of human [...] Read more.
The first evidence of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) effect on mono-species and dual-species biofilms of skin commensals Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis was obtained in different model systems. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of hormones on the microbial communities of human skin is an important physiological and medical aspect. Under anaerobic conditions, ANP at a concentration of 6.5 × 10−10 M inhibits the growth of S. epidermidis biofilms and stimulates the growth of C. acnes biofilms, and a lesser effect has been demonstrated on planktonic cultures. In biofilms, ANP stimulates aggregation in C. acnes and aggregate dispersion of S. epidermidis, while in S. epidermidis, ANP also stimulates the metabolic activity of cells. Analysis of dual-species biofilms has shown the dominance of S. epidermidis, while ANP increases the ratio of C. acnes biomass in the community. ANP decreases the growth rate of S. epidermidis biofilms and increases that of C. acnes. The effect of ANP is not dependent on the surface type and probably affects other targets in microbial cells. Thus, the potential regulatory effect of human ANP on skin microbe dual-species communities has been shown, and its potential has been demonstrated to change microbiota homeostasis on the skin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
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Review

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10 pages, 439 KiB  
Review
Targeting Persistent Biofilm Infections: Reconsidering the Topography of the Infection Site during Model Selection
by Ilana Kolodkin-Gal, Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh, Gideon Zamir, Igor Tsesis and Eyal Rosen
Microorganisms 2022, 10(6), 1164; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10061164 - 06 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1807
Abstract
The physiology of an organism in the environment reflects its interactions with the diverse physical, chemical, and biological properties of the surface. These principles come into consideration during model selection to study biofilm–host interactions. Biofilms are communities formed by beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, [...] Read more.
The physiology of an organism in the environment reflects its interactions with the diverse physical, chemical, and biological properties of the surface. These principles come into consideration during model selection to study biofilm–host interactions. Biofilms are communities formed by beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, where cells are held together by a structured extracellular matrix. When biofilms are associated with a host, chemical gradients and their origins become highly relevant. Conventional biofilm laboratory models such as multiwall biofilm models and agar plate models poorly mimic these gradients. In contrast, ex vivo models possess the partial capacity to mimic the conditions of tissue-associated biofilm and a biofilm associated with a mineralized surface enriched in inorganic components, such as the human dentin. This review will highlight the progress achieved using these settings for two models of persistent infections: the infection of the lung tissue by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the infection of the root canal by Enterococcus faecalis. For both models, we conclude that the limitations of the conventional in vitro systems necessitate a complimentary experimentation with clinically relevant ex vivo models during therapeutics development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
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10 pages, 2094 KiB  
Review
Bacillus subtilis Cell Differentiation, Biofilm Formation and Environmental Prevalence
by Yuxuan Qin, Leticia Lima Angelini and Yunrong Chai
Microorganisms 2022, 10(6), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10061108 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4861
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis is a soil-dwelling, spore-forming Gram-positive bacterium capable of cell differentiation. For decades, B. subtilis has been used as a model organism to study development of specialized cell types. In this minireview, we discuss cell differentiation in B. subtilis, covering both [...] Read more.
Bacillus subtilis is a soil-dwelling, spore-forming Gram-positive bacterium capable of cell differentiation. For decades, B. subtilis has been used as a model organism to study development of specialized cell types. In this minireview, we discuss cell differentiation in B. subtilis, covering both past research and recent progresses, and the role of cell differentiation in biofilm formation and prevalence of this bacterium in the environment. We review B. subtilis as a classic model for studies of endospore formation, and highlight more recent investigations on cell fate determination and generation of multiple cell types during biofilm formation. We present mechanistic details of how cell fate determination and mutually exclusive cell differentiation are regulated during biofilm formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
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14 pages, 1254 KiB  
Review
Cariogenic Biofilm: Pathology-Related Phenotypes and Targeted Therapy
by Xiuqin Chen, Eric Banan-Mwine Daliri, Akanksha Tyagi and Deog-Hwan Oh
Microorganisms 2021, 9(6), 1311; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9061311 - 16 Jun 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4649
Abstract
The initiation and development of cariogenic (that is, caries-related) biofilms are the result of the disruption of homeostasis in the oral microenvironment. There is a daily accumulation of dental biofilm on the surface of teeth and its matrix of extracellular polymers supports the [...] Read more.
The initiation and development of cariogenic (that is, caries-related) biofilms are the result of the disruption of homeostasis in the oral microenvironment. There is a daily accumulation of dental biofilm on the surface of teeth and its matrix of extracellular polymers supports the host in its defense against invading microbes, thus helping to achieve oral microbial homeostasis. However, the homeostasis can be broken down under certain circumstances such as during long-term exposure to a low pH environment which results in the dominance of acidogenic and acid-tolerating species in the dental biofilm and, thus, triggers the shift of harmless biofilm to an acidic one. This work aims to explore microbial diversity and the quorum sensing of dental biofilm and their important contributions to oral health and disease. The complex and multispecies ecosystems of the cariogenic biofilm pose significant challenges for the modulation of the oral microenvironment. Promising treatment strategies are those that target cariogenic niches with high specificity without disrupting the balance of the surrounding oral microbiota. Here, we summarized the recent advances in modulating cariogenic biofilm and/or controlling its pathogenic traits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Biofilm Interactions)
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