Human neutrophil α-defensin HNP1 interacts with bacterial cell wall components to promote biofilm formation by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a major opportunistic pathogen whose ability to form biofilms significantly enhances its persistence and antibiotic resistance. We previously found that human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP1), a member of the α-defensin family, promotes biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii. Here, we demonstrate that HNP1 enhances biofilm formation across a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with particularly strong effects in S. aureus, which increases its tolerance to multiple antibiotics. Mechanistically, HNP1 promotes bacterial adhesion and self-aggregation, facilitating the early stages of biofilm development. Transcriptomic analysis revealed minimal activation of canonical biofilm-associated genes, suggesting that HNP1 acts through a non

SUBMITTER: Liao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12702023 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature