Characterization of the Human Plasma Biofilm Model (hpBIOM) to Identify Potential Therapeutic Targets for Wound Management of Chronic Infections

Abstract

The treatment of chronic wounds still represents a major challenge in wound management. Recent estimates suggest that 60–80% of chronic wounds are colonized by pathogenic microorganisms, which are strongly considered to have a major inhibiting influence on the healing process. By means of an innovative biofilm model based on human plasma, the time-dependent behavior of various bacterial strains under wound-milieu-like conditions were investigated, and the growth habits of different cocci species were compared. Undescribed fusion events between colonies of MRSA as well as of Staphylococcus epidermidis were detected, which were associated with the remodeling and reorganization of the glycocalyx of the wound tissue. After reaching a maximum colony size, the spreading of individual bacteria was observed. Interestingly, the combination of different cocci species with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the human plasma biofilm revealed partial synergistic effects in these multispecies organizations. RT-qPCR analyses gave a first impression of the relevant proteins involved in the formation and maturation of biofilms, especially the role of fibrinogen-binding proteins. Knowledge of the maturation and growth behavior of persistent biofilms investigated in a translational human biofilm model reflects a starting point for the development of novel tools for the treatment of chronic wounds.