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A novel multiplex fluorescent-labeling method for the visualization of mixed-species biofilms in vitro
Malmö University, Faculty of Odontology (OD). Malmö University, Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces. CR Competence, Lund, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0009-0000-9739-2829
Malmö University, Faculty of Odontology (OD). Malmö University, Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces.
CR Competence, Lund, Sweden.
Malmö University, Faculty of Odontology (OD). Malmö University, Biofilms Research Center for Biointerfaces.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8291-8189
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2024 (English)In: Microbiology Spectrum, E-ISSN 2165-0497, Vol. 12, no 7Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In nature, bacteria usually exist as mixed-species biofilms, where they engage in a range of synergistic and antagonistic interactions that increase their resistance to environmental challenges. Biofilms are a major cause of persistent infections, and dispersal from initial foci can cause new infections at distal sites thus warranting further investigation. Studies of development and spatial interactions in mixed-species biofilms can be challenging due to difficulties in identifying the different bacterial species in situ. Here, we apply CellTrace dyes to studies of biofilm bacteria and present a novel application for multiplex labeling, allowing identification of different bacteria in mixed-species, in vitro biofilm models. Oral bacteria labeled with CellTrace dyes (far red, yellow, violet, and CFSE [green]) were used to create single- and mixed-species biofilms, which were analyzed with confocal spinning disk microscopy (CSDM). Biofilm supernatants were studied with flow cytometry (FC). Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were well labeled and CSDM revealed biofilms with clear morphology and stable staining for up to 4 days. Analysis of CellTrace labeled cells in supernatants using FC showed differences in the biofilm dispersal between bacterial species. Multiplexing with different colored dyes allowed visualization of spatial relationships between bacteria in mixed-species biofilms and relative coverage by the different species was revealed through segmentation of the CSDM images. This novel application, thus, offers a powerful tool for studying structure and composition of mixed-species biofilms in vitro. IMPORTANCE Although most chronic infections are caused by mixed-species biofilms, much of our knowledge still comes from planktonic cultures of single bacterial species. Studies of formation and development of mixed-species biofilms are, therefore, required. This work describes a method applicable to labeling of bacteria for in vitro studies of biofilm structure and dispersal. Critically, labeled bacteria can be multiplexed for identification of different species in mixed-species biofilms using confocal spinning disk microscopy, facilitating investigation of biofilm development and spatial interactions under different environmental conditions. The study is an important step in increasing the tools available for such complex and challenging studies. IMPORTANCE Although most chronic infections are caused by mixed-species biofilms, much of our knowledge still comes from planktonic cultures of single bacterial species. Studies of formation and development of mixed-species biofilms are, therefore, required. This work describes a method applicable to labeling of bacteria for in vitro studies of biofilm structure and dispersal. Critically, labeled bacteria can be multiplexed for identification of different species in mixed-species biofilms using confocal spinning disk microscopy, facilitating investigation of biofilm development and spatial interactions under different environmental conditions. The study is an important step in increasing the tools available for such complex and challenging studies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
American Society for Microbiology, 2024. Vol. 12, no 7
Keywords [en]
microscopy, staining, live imaging, flow cytometry, confocal spinning disc microscopy, oral bacteria, oral disease, biofilm growth, biofilm detachment, CellTrace
National Category
Microbiology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-70012DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00253-24ISI: 001231149200001PubMedID: 38785429Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85198017475OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-70012DiVA, id: diva2:1886426
Available from: 2024-08-01 Created: 2024-08-01 Last updated: 2024-11-25Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Exploring the effects of stabilized hypochlorous acid on multi-species oral biofilms
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Exploring the effects of stabilized hypochlorous acid on multi-species oral biofilms
2024 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Periodontitis and dental caries are two of the most prevalent human diseases, affecting nearly 2 billion worldwide. Persistence is largely attributed to the formation of biofilms (plaque) by oral bacteria, which left undisturbed lead to destruction of surrounding tissues and increase the risk for secondary disease. As current treatments such as mechanical removal and adjunctive therapies can be inadequate, there is a need for new anti-plaque chemical agents. Stabilized hypochlorous acid (sHOCl) has emerged as a potential anti-biofilm agent in areas such as wound therapy but its use in treating oral diseases remains unknown. Therefore, our aim in this thesis was to assess the role of sHOCl as an antimicrobial agent for use in the oral cavity.

We found that at low concentrations, sHOCl was effective in killing bacteria within mixed-species in vitro models resembling periodontitis and dental caries. Moreover,  sHOCl  displayed  higher  antibiofilm  activity  compared  to chlorhexidine, whilst not damaging tested oral surfaces. At sub-lethal levels, sHOCl was observed to target multiple cellular components through oxidative stress in Streptococcus biofilms. Simultaneously, work on our models revealed a possible new application of CFSE-based dyes in microscopy for the live-imaging of biofilms. In particular, multi-dye compatibility opens up the possibilities for future research employing mixed-species biofilms. Finally, our preliminary findings also indicate that sHOCl may permit a selective re-growth of biofilms following exposure.

Taken together, the results of this thesis lay the groundwork for investigations of sHOCl as an antibiofilm agent, and continue to push microbial research towardsmore relevant models.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malmö: Malmö University Press, 2024. p. 120
Series
Malmö University Odontological Dissertations, ISSN 1650-6065, E-ISSN 2004-9307
National Category
Dentistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-72397 (URN)10.24834/isbn.9789178775552 (DOI)978-91-7877-554-5 (ISBN)978-91-7877-555-2 (ISBN)
Public defence
2024-12-19, Faculty of Odontology, KL:2370 Aula, Malmö, 09:00 (English)
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Note

Paper 2 and 4 in dissertation as manuscript, not included in the fulltext online.

Available from: 2024-11-25 Created: 2024-11-25 Last updated: 2024-11-28Bibliographically approved

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Aherne, OliviaShannon, OonaghDavies, Julia R

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