title: Role of Capsular Polysaccharides in Biofilm Formation: An AFM Nanomechanics Study.
abstract: Bacteria form biofilms to facilitate colonization of biotic and abiotic surfaces, and biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices is a common cause of hospital-acquired infection. Although it is well-recognized that the exopolysaccharide capsule is one of the key bacterial components for biofilm formation, the underlying biophysical mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, nanomechanical measurements of wild type and specific mutants of the pathogen, Klebsiella pneumoniae, were performed in situ using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Theoretical modeling of the mechanical data and static microtiter plate biofilm assays show that the organization of the capsule can influence bacterial adhesion, and thereby biofilm formation. The capsular organization is affected by the presence of type 3 fimbriae. Understanding the biophysical mechanisms for the impact of the structural organization of the bacterial polysaccharide capsule on biofilm formation will aid the development of strategies to prevent biofilm formation.
authors.affiliation: §Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
authors.forename: Huabin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wilksch
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Strugnell
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gee
mesh_terms: D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial
keywords: bacteria; biofilm; capsule; fimbriae; nanomechanics; polysaccharides