Production of exopolysaccharide by Burkholderia cenocepacia results in altered cell-surface interactions and altered bacterial clearance in mice

• Despite the characterization of some Burkholderia cepacia complex exopolysaccharides (EPSs), little is known about the role of EPSs in the pathogenicity of B. cepacia complex organisms. We describe 2 Burkholderia cenocepacia (genomovar III) isolates obtained from a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF): the nonmucoid isolate C8963 and the mucoid isolate C9343. Both isolates had identical random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns. C9343 produced a capsule composed of the EPSs PS-I and PS-II, as well as alpha -1,6-glucan. These isolates exhibited several phenotypic differences: C8963 synthesized octanoyl-homoserine lactone and produced biofilms, but C9343 did not; in a mouse model of pulmonary infection, C8963 was cleared more rapidly than was C9343; and C9343 interacted poorly with macrophages and neutrophils, compared with C8963, suggesting that the C9343 capsule interfered with cell-surface interactions. Overproduction of EPS by C9343 resulted in a mucoid appearance and interfered with cell-surface interactions and clearance in an animal model. This mucoid colonial appearance could enhance the persistence and virulence of this important CF-related pathogen.

Nyckelord

4-Butyrolactone/analogs & derivatives/biosynthesis

Animals

Bacterial Capsules/*metabolism

Biofilms/growth & development

Burkholderia Infections/immunology/microbiology

development/isolation & purification/*pathogenicity

Cystic Fibrosis/*immunology/*microbiology

Disease Models

Animal

Electrophoresis

Gel

Pulsed-Field

Female

Humans

Mice

Mice

Inbred BALB C

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)