Different Dose-Dependent Modes of Action of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation

• Main Authors: Florie Desriac, Thomas Clamens, Thibaut Rosay, Sophie Rodrigues, Ali Tahrioui, Jérémy Enault, Lucille Roquigny, Pierre-Jean Racine, Laure Taupin, Alexis Bazire, Alain Dufour, Jérôme Leprince, Emeline Bouffartigues, Sylvie Chevalier, Marc G. J. Feuilloley, Olivier Lesouhaitier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-04-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: biofilm; hormones; peptides; bacterial adaptation; lung; cystic fibrosis
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/7/2/47

We have previously shown that the C-type Natriuretic Peptide (CNP), a peptide produced by lungs, is able to impact Pseudomonas aeruginosa physiology. In the present work, the effect of CNP at different concentrations on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation was studied and the mechanisms of action of this human hormone on P. aeruginosa were deciphered. CNP was shown to inhibit dynamic biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting the bacterial growth at any tested concentrations. The most effective concentrations were 1 and 0.1 µM. At 0.1 µM, the biofilm formation inhibition was fully dependent on the CNP sensor protein AmiC, whereas it was only partially AmiC-dependent at 1 µM, revealing the existence of a second AmiC-independent mode of action of CNP on P. aeruginosa. At 1 µM, CNP reduced both P. aeruginosa adhesion on glass and di-rhamnolipid production and also increased the bacterial membrane fluidity. The various effects of CNP at 1 µM and 0.1 µM on P. aeruginosa shown here should have major consequences to design drugs for biofilm treatment or prevention.