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PMID: 16040971 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Heparin stimulates Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.

Infection and immunity ·Vol. 73 ·No. 8 ·2005-08-00 ·Pages 4596-606

Shanks RM, Donegan NP, Graber ML, Buckingham SE, Zegans ME, Cheung AL, O'Toole GA

Abstract

Heparin, known for its anticoagulant activity, is commonly used in catheter locks. Staphylococcus aureus, a versatile human and animal pathogen, is commonly associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections and has evolved a number of mechanisms through which it adheres to biotic and abiotic surfaces. We demonstrate that heparin increased biofilm formation by several S. aureus strains. Surface coverage and the kinetics of biofilm formation were stimulated, but primary attachment to the surface was not affected. Heparin increased S. aureus cell-cell interactions in a protein synthesis-dependent manner. The addition of heparin rescued biofilm formation of hla, ica, and sarA mutants. Our data further suggest that heparin stimulation of biofilm formation occurs neither through an increase in sigB activity nor through an increase in polysaccharide intracellular adhesin levels. These finding suggests that heparin stimulates S. aureus biofilm formation via a novel pathway.

MeSH Terms
Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism Anticoagulants/pharmacology Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects Biofilms/drug effects Cell Communication/drug effects Heparin/pharmacology Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/pharmacology Sigma Factor/metabolism Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects,genetics,metabolism Time Factors
Chemicals
Adhesins, Bacterial Anticoagulants Protein Synthesis Inhibitors Sigma Factor Heparin
Authors & Affiliations
7 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Shanks Robert M Q
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA.
Donegan Niles P
Graber Martha L
Buckingham Sarah E
Zegans Michael E
Cheung Ambrose L
O'Toole George A
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Article Info
Journal
Infection and immunity
Abbr.
Infect Immun
ISSN
0019-9567
DOI
10.1128/IAI.73.8.4596-4606.2005
Published
2005-08-00
Pages
4596-606
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
0246127
PMCID
PMC1201187
Subset
IM
Grants
NIAID NIH HHS · T32 AI07363 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · F32 GM66658-01A1 · United States
NIAID NIH HHS · R21 AI055774 · United States
NIAID NIH HHS · R21-AI055774 · United States
NIAID NIH HHS · T32 AI007363 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · F32 GM066658 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1128/IAI.73.8.4596-4606.2005 PMC Full Text View journal details
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