Cathelicidin inhibits the formation of staph biofilm
Kofi
Human cathelicidin peptide LL37 inhibits both attachment capability and
biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Hell E, Giske CG, Nelson A, Romling U, Marchini G.
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet,
Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract Aims: 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. Methods and 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. Significance and Impact of
the Study: Our findings suggest that this host defence factor can be a
potential candidate in prevention and treatment strategies of Staph.
epidermidis infections in humans.
PMID: 20002576