title: Nanowire Arrays as Cell Force Sensors To Investigate Adhesin-Enhanced Holdfast of Single Cell Bacteria and Biofilm Stability.
abstract: Surface attachment of a planktonic bacteria, mediated by adhesins and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), is a crucial step for biofilm formation. Some pathogens can modulate cell adhesiveness, impacting host colonization and virulence. A framework able to quantify cell-surface interaction forces and their dependence on chemical surface composition may unveil adhesiveness control mechanisms as new targets for intervention and disease control. Here we employed InP nanowire arrays to dissect factors involved in the early stage biofilm formation of the phytopathogen Xylella fastidiosa. Ex vivo experiments demonstrate single-cell adhesion forces up to 45 nN, depending on the cell orientation with respect to the surface. Larger adhesion forces occur at the cell poles; secreted EPS layers and filaments provide additional mechanical support. Significant adhesion force enhancements were observed for single cells anchoring a biofilm and particularly on XadA1 adhesin-coated surfaces, evidencing molecular mechanisms developed by bacterial pathogens to create a stronger holdfast to specific host tissues.
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Institute of Physics "Gleb Wataghin", State University of Campinas , 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Prasana K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sahoo
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Institute of Physics "Gleb Wataghin", State University of Campinas , 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.|Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology , 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Janissen
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Institute of Physics "Gleb Wataghin", State University of Campinas , 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Moniellen P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Eindhoven University of Technology , 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Institute of Physics "Gleb Wataghin", State University of Campinas , 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Duber M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Murillo
authors.affiliation: Citrus Center APTA "Sylvio Moreira", Agronomic Institute of Campinas , 13490-970, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcus V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Merfa
authors.affiliation: Quantum Electronics Department, Institute of Physics "Gleb Wataghin", State University of Campinas , 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cesar
authors.affiliation: Structural and Functional Biology Department, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas , 13083-865, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hernandes F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Citrus Center APTA "Sylvio Moreira", Agronomic Institute of Campinas , 13490-970, Cordeirópolis, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Eindhoven University of Technology , 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erik P A M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Bakkers
authors.affiliation: Applied Physics Department, Institute of Physics "Gleb Wataghin", State University of Campinas , 13083-859, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Monica A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cotta
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D053770:Nanowires; D044167:Xylella / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial
keywords: Bacterial biofilm; Xylella fastidiosa; adhesin; cell adhesion; force sensor; nanowire arrays