Future perspective on host-pathogen interactions during bacterial biofilm formation within the nasopharynx.
Nasopharyngeal colonization provides bacteria with a place of residence, a platform for person-to-person transmission and for many opportunistic pathogens it is a prerequisite event towards the development of invasive disease. Therefore, how host factors within the nasopharynx contribute to, inhibit or otherwise shape biofilm formation, the primary mode of existence for colonizing bacteria, and how biofilm bacteria subvert the acute inflammatory response that facilitates clearance, are important topics for future microbiological research. This review proposes the examination of host components as bridging molecules for bacterial interactions during biofilm formation, altered virulence determinant production and cell wall modification as a mechanism for immunoquiescence, and the role of host factors as signals and co-opted mechanisms for bacterial dissemination, together providing an opportunity for disease.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC7758, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Krystle A
KA
Blanchette
Carlos J
CJ
Orihuela
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000821:virology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018441:Biofilms; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D009238:N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D037521:Virulence Factors; D009238:N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase