Human cathelicidin peptide LL37 inhibits both attachment capability and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to investigate the possible effect of human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL37 on biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a major causative agent of indwelling device-related infections.


RESULTS
We performed initial attachment assay and biofilm formation solid surface assay in microtitre plates, as well as growth experiment in liquid medium using laboratory strain Staph. epidermidis ATCC35984. We found that already a low concentration of the peptide LL37 (1 mg l(-1)) significantly decreased both the attachment of bacteria to the surface and also the biofilm mass. No growth inhibition was observed even at 16 mg l(-1) concentration of LL37, indicating a direct effect of the peptide on biofilm production.


CONCLUSIONS
As biofilm protects bacteria during infections in humans and allows their survival in a hostile environment, inhibition of biofilm formation by LL37 may have a key role to prevent bacterial colonization on indwelling devices.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that this host defence factor can be a potential candidate in prevention and treatment strategies of Staph. epidermidis infections in humans.
Hell
E
E
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. eva.hell@ki.se
Giske
C G
CG
Nelson
A
A
Römling
U
U
Marchini
G
G
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D054804:Cathelicidins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000254:growth & development*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins