Role
of Capsular Polysaccharides in Biofilm Formation: An AFM Nanomechanics
Study
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Abstract
Bacteria
form biofilms to facilitate colonization of biotic and abiotic surfaces,
and biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices is a common cause
of hospital-acquired infection. Although it is well-recognized that
the exopolysaccharide capsule is one of the key bacterial components
for biofilm formation, the underlying biophysical mechanism is poorly
understood. In the present study, nanomechanical measurements of wild
type and specific mutants of the pathogen, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, were performed <i>in situ</i> using atomic force microscopy
(AFM). Theoretical modeling of the mechanical data and static microtiter
plate biofilm assays show that the organization of the capsule can
influence bacterial adhesion, and thereby biofilm formation. The capsular
organization is affected by the presence of type 3 fimbriae. Understanding
the biophysical mechanisms for the impact of the structural organization
of the bacterial polysaccharide capsule on biofilm formation will
aid the development of strategies to prevent biofilm formation