Sex Steroids Induce Membrane Stress Responses and Virulence Properties in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT: Estrogen, a major female sex steroid hormone, has been shown to promote the selection of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the airways of patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis. This results in long-term persistence, poorer clinical outcomes, and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we demonstrate that at physiological concentrations, sex steroids, including testosterone and estriol, induce membrane stress responses in P. aeruginosa This is characterized by increased virulence and consequent inflammation and release of proinflammatory outer membrane vesicles promoting in vivo persistence of the bacteria. The steroid-induced P. aeruginosa response correlates with the molecular polarity of the hormones and membrane fluidic prop

SUBMITTER: Vidaillac C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7527723 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature