title: Heparin stimulates Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.
abstract: Heparin, known for its anticoagulant activity, is commonly used in catheter locks. Staphylococcus aureus, a versatile human and animal pathogen, is commonly associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections and has evolved a number of mechanisms through which it adheres to biotic and abiotic surfaces. We demonstrate that heparin increased biofilm formation by several S. aureus strains. Surface coverage and the kinetics of biofilm formation were stimulated, but primary attachment to the surface was not affected. Heparin increased S. aureus cell-cell interactions in a protein synthesis-dependent manner. The addition of heparin rescued biofilm formation of hla, ica, and sarA mutants. Our data further suggest that heparin stimulation of biofilm formation occurs neither through an increase in sigB activity nor through an increase in polysaccharide intracellular adhesin levels. These finding suggests that heparin stimulates S. aureus biofilm formation via a novel pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M Q
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Shanks
authors.forename: Niles P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Donegan
authors.forename: Martha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Graber
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Buckingham
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zegans
authors.forename: Ambrose L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: O'Toole
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012808:Sigma Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000925:Anticoagulants; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D012808:Sigma Factor; D006493:Heparin