An rRNA fragment in extracellular vesicles secreted by human airway epithelial cells increases the fluoroquinolone sensitivity of P. aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT: Lung infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are difficult to eradicate in immunocompromised hosts such as those with cystic fibrosis. We previously demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by primary human airway epithelial cells (AECs) deliver microRNA let-7b-5p to P. aeruginosa to suppress biofilm formation and increase sensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics. In this study, we show that EVs secreted by AECs transfer multiple distinct short RNA fragments to P. aeruginosa that are predicted to target the three subunits of the fluoroquinolone efflux pump MexHI-OpmD, thus increasing antibiotic sensitivity. Exposure of P. aeruginosa to EVs resulted in a significant reduction in the protein levels of MexH (-48%), M

SUBMITTER: Koeppen K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10390050 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature