Human tear fluid modulates the Pseudomonas aeruginosa transcriptome to alter antibiotic susceptibility.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Previously, we showed that tear fluid protects corneal epithelial cells against Pseudomonas aeruginosa without suppressing bacterial viability. Here, we studied how tear fluid affects bacterial gene expression.

Methods

RNA-sequencing was used to study the P. aeruginosa transcriptome after tear fluid exposure (5 h, 37 ^oC). Outcomes were further investigated by biochemical and physiological perturbations to tear fluid and tear-like fluid (TLF) and assessment of bacterial viability following tear/TLF pretreatment and antibiotic exposure.

Results

Tear fluid deregulated ~180 P. aeruginosa genes ≥8 fold versus PBS including downregulating lasI, rhlI, qscR (quorum sensing/virulence), oprH, phoP, phoQ (antimicrobial resistance) and arnBCADTEF (polymyxin B r

SUBMITTER: Tabor LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10139757 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature