Poly- β -(1→6)- N -acetyl-D-glucosamine mediates surface attachment, biofilm formation, and biocide resistance in Cutibacterium acnes .

Background: The commensal skin bacterium Cutibacterium acnes plays a role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris and also causes opportunistic infections of implanted medical devices due to its ability to form biofilms on biomaterial surfaces. Poly- β -(1→6)- N -acetyl-D-glucosamine (PNAG) is an extracellular polysaccharide that mediates biofilm formation and biocide resistance in a wide range of bacterial pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine whether C. acnes produces PNAG, and whether PNAG contributes to C. acnes biofilm formation and biocide resistance in vitro .
Methods: PNAG was detected on the surface of C. acnes cells by fluorescence confocal microscopy using the antigen-specific human IgG1 monoclonal antibody F598. PNAG was detected in C. acnes biofilms by measuring the ability of the PNAG-specific glycosidase dispersin B to inhibit biofilm formation and sensitize biofilms to biocide killing.
Results: Monoclonal antibody F598 bound to the surface of C. acnes cells. Dispersin B inhibited attachment of C. acnes cells to polystyrene rods, inhibited biofilm formation by C. acnes in glass and polypropylene tubes, and sensitized C. acnes biofilms to killing by benzoyl peroxide and tetracycline.
Conclusion: C. acnes produces PNAG, and PNAG contributes to C. acnes biofilm formation and biocide resistance in vitro . PNAG may play a role in C. acnes skin colonization, biocide resistance, and virulence in vivo .
Competing Interests: JK serves as an advisor for, owns equity in, and receives royalties from Kane Biotech Inc., Winnipeg, Canada. This company is developing antibiofilm applications related to dispersin B. GP is an inventor of intellectual properties (human monoclonal antibody to PNAG and PNAG vaccines) that are licensed by Brigham and Women’s Hospital to Alopexx, Inc., an entity in which GP also holds equity. As an inventor of intellectual properties, GP also has the right to receive a share of licensing-related income (royalties, fees) through Brigham and Women’s Hospital from Alopexx, Inc. GP’s interests were reviewed and are managed by the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Mass General Brigham in accordance with their conflict of interest policies. CC-B is an inventor of intellectual properties (use of human monoclonal antibody to PNAG and use of PNAG vaccines) that are licensed by Brigham and Women’s Hospital to Alopexx, Inc. As an inventor of intellectual properties, CC-B also has the right to receive a share of licensing-related income (royalties, fees) through Brigham and Women’s Hospital from Alopexx, Inc. NY, MS, and ME are employees of Kane Biotech Inc., manufacturer of dispersin B (DispersinB®), and own company stocks and stock options. The remaining author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
(Copyright © 2024 Kaplan, Cywes-Bentley, Pier, Yakandawala, Sailer, Edwards and Kridin.)