Shear rate sensitizes bacterial pathogens to H₂O₂ stress.

ABSTRACT: Cells regularly experience fluid flow in natural systems. However, most experimental systems rely on batch cell culture and fail to consider the effect of flow-driven dynamics on cell physiology. Using microfluidics and single-cell imaging, we discover that the interplay of physical shear rate (a measure of fluid flow) and chemical stress trigger a transcriptional response in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In batch cell culture, cells protect themselves by quickly scavenging the ubiquitous chemical stressor hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) from the media. In microfluidic conditions, we observe that cell scavenging generates spatial gradients of H₂O₂. High shear rates replenish H₂O₂, abolish gradients, and generate

SUBMITTER: Padron GC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10089187 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature