Poly-N-acetylglucosamine mediatesCutibacterium acnesbiofilm formation and biocide resistance

Abstract

ABSTRACTBiofilm formation likely plays an important role in the pathogenesis of implant-related infections caused byCutibacterium acnes. Biofilms protect bacteria from antimicrobials and host defenses which makes biofilm-related infections difficult to treat. Here we demonstrate that the exopolysaccharide poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) contributes toC. acnesbiofilm formationin vitro. By treatingC. acnescells and biofilms with the PNAG-degrading enzyme dispersin B, we found that PNAG mediates the attachment ofC. acnescells to polystyrene rods and the formationC. acnesbiofilms in glass and polypropylene tubes. We further show that PNAG protectsC. acnesbiofilm cells from killing by tetracycline and benzoyl peroxide. PNAG may play an important role in biofilm formation, antibiotic tolerance, and virulence in this opportunistic pathogen.