Assessing the inflammatory response to in vitro polymicrobial wound biofilms in a skin epidermis model

Brown, J. L. , Townsend, E., Short, R. D., Williams, C., Woodall, C., Nile, C. J. and Ramage, G. (2022) Assessing the inflammatory response to in vitro polymicrobial wound biofilms in a skin epidermis model. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 8, 19. (doi: 10.1038/s41522-022-00286-z) (PMID:35393409) (PMCID:PMC8991182)

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Abstract

Wounds can commonly become infected with polymicrobial biofilms containing bacterial and fungal microorganisms. Microbial colonization of the wound can interfere with sufficient healing and repair, leading to high rates of chronicity in certain individuals, which can have a huge socioeconomic burden worldwide. One route for alleviating biofilm formation in chronic wounds is sufficient treatment of the infected area with topical wound washes and ointments. Thus, the primary aim here was to create a complex in vitro biofilm model containing a range of microorganisms commonly isolated from the infected wound milieu. These polymicrobial biofilms were treated with three conventional anti-biofilm wound washes, chlorhexidine (CHX), povidone-iodine (PVP-I), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and efficacy against the microorganisms assessed using live/dead qPCR. All treatments reduced the viability of the biofilms, although H2O2 was found to be the most effective treatment modality. These biofilms were then co-cultured with 3D skin epidermis to assess the inflammatory profile within the tissue. A detailed transcriptional and proteomic profile of the epidermis was gathered following biofilm stimulation. At the transcriptional level, all treatments reduced the expression of inflammatory markers back to baseline (untreated tissue controls). Olink technology revealed a unique proteomic response in the tissue following stimulation with untreated and CHX-treated biofilms. This highlights treatment choice for clinicians could be dictated by how the tissue responds to such biofilm treatment, and not merely how effective the treatment is in killing the biofilm.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The authors would like to thank Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) for their support in funding this project, with the following grants, EP/V005839/1 and BB/R012415/1, respectively.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ramage, Professor Gordon and Williams, Dr Craig and Brown, Dr Jason and Nile, Dr Christopher and Townsend, Miss Eleanor
Authors: Brown, J. L., Townsend, E., Short, R. D., Williams, C., Woodall, C., Nile, C. J., and Ramage, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2055-5008
ISSN (Online):2055-5008
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 8:19
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
308058Plasma-activated antimicrobial hydrogel therapy (PAHT) for combatting infections in diabetic foot ulcersGordon RamageEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/V005839/1Med - Dental School
308058Plasma-activated antimicrobial hydrogel therapy (PAHT) for combatting infections in diabetic foot ulcersGordon RamageEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/V005839/1Med - Dental School
308058Plasma-activated antimicrobial hydrogel therapy (PAHT) for combatting infections in diabetic foot ulcersGordon RamageEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/V005839/1Med - Dental School