Siderophore-Mediated Iron Acquisition Plays a Critical Role in Biofilm Formation and Survival of Staphylococcus epidermidis Within the Host

TY - JOUR

T1 - Siderophore-Mediated Iron Acquisition Plays a Critical Role in Biofilm Formation and Survival of Staphylococcus epidermidis Within the Host

AU - Oliveira, Fernando

AU - Lima, Tânia

AU - Correia, Alexandra

AU - Silva, Ana Margarida

AU - Soares, Cristina

AU - Morais, Simone

AU - Weißelberg, Samira

AU - Vilanova, Manuel

AU - Rohde, Holger

AU - Cerca, Nuno

N1 - Copyright © 2021 Oliveira, Lima, Correia, Silva, Soares, Morais, Weißelberg, Vilanova, Rohde and Cerca.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Iron acquisition through siderophores, a class of small, potent iron-chelating organic molecules, is a widely spread strategy among pathogens to survive in the iron-restricted environment found in the host. Although these molecules have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several species, there is currently no comprehensive study addressing siderophore production in Staphylococcus epidermidis. Staphylococcus epidermidis is an innocuous skin commensal bacterium. The species, though, has emerged as a leading cause of implant-associated infections, significantly supported by an inherent ability to form biofilms. The process of adaptation from skin niche environments to the hostile conditions during invasion is yet not fully understood. Herein, we addressed the possible role of siderophore production in S. epidermidis virulence. We first identified and deleted a siderophore homolog locus, sfaABCD, and provided evidence for its involvement in iron acquisition. Our findings further suggested the involvement of siderophores in the protection against oxidative stress-induced damage and demonstrated the in vivo relevance of a siderophore-mediated iron acquisition during S. epidermidis infections. Conclusively, this study addressed, for the first time in this species, the underlying mechanisms of siderophore production, highlighting the importance of a siderophore-mediated iron acquisition under host relevant conditions and, most importantly, its contribution to survival within the host.

AB - Iron acquisition through siderophores, a class of small, potent iron-chelating organic molecules, is a widely spread strategy among pathogens to survive in the iron-restricted environment found in the host. Although these molecules have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several species, there is currently no comprehensive study addressing siderophore production in Staphylococcus epidermidis. Staphylococcus epidermidis is an innocuous skin commensal bacterium. The species, though, has emerged as a leading cause of implant-associated infections, significantly supported by an inherent ability to form biofilms. The process of adaptation from skin niche environments to the hostile conditions during invasion is yet not fully understood. Herein, we addressed the possible role of siderophore production in S. epidermidis virulence. We first identified and deleted a siderophore homolog locus, sfaABCD, and provided evidence for its involvement in iron acquisition. Our findings further suggested the involvement of siderophores in the protection against oxidative stress-induced damage and demonstrated the in vivo relevance of a siderophore-mediated iron acquisition during S. epidermidis infections. Conclusively, this study addressed, for the first time in this species, the underlying mechanisms of siderophore production, highlighting the importance of a siderophore-mediated iron acquisition under host relevant conditions and, most importantly, its contribution to survival within the host.

U2 - 10.3389/fmed.2021.799227

DO - 10.3389/fmed.2021.799227

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 35004774

VL - 8

JO - FRONT MED-LAUSANNE

JF - FRONT MED-LAUSANNE

SN - 2296-858X

M1 - 799227

ER -