Biofilm and bacterial membrane vesicles: recent advances

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Bacterial Membrane Vesicles (MVs) play important roles in cell-to-cell communication and transport of several molecules. Such structures are essential components of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) biofilm matrix of many bacterial species displaying a structural function and a role in virulence and pathogenesis.

Areas covered

In this review were included original articles from the last ten years by searching the keywords ‘biofilm’ and ‘vesicles’ on PUBMED and Scopus databases. The articles available in literature mainly describe a positive correlation between bacterial MVs and biofilms formation. The research on Espacenet and Google Patent databases underlines the available patents related to the application of both biofilm MVs and planktonic MVs in inhibiting biofilm formation.

Expert opinion

This review covers and analyzes recent advances in the study of the relationship between bacterial vesicles and biofilm. The huge number of papers discussing the role of MVs confirms the interest aimed at developing new applications in the medical field. The study of the MVs composition and biogenesis may contribute to the identification of components which could be (i) the target for the development of new drugs inhibiting the biofilm establishment; (ii) candidates for the development of vaccines; (iii) biomarkers for the diagnosis of bacterial infections.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofilm
• biofilm formation
• membrane vesicles
• outer membrane vesicles
• extracellular vesicles

Article highlights

• The current status of the relationship between bacterial vesicles and biofilm was elucidated.

• The current status in relation to the role of vesicles derived from the biofilm phenotype was clarified.

• The proteome analysis of the vesicles related to biofilm as well as the use of planktonic MVs in inhibiting biofilm formation was updated.

• The patents related to the application of biofilm vesicles are discussed.

• Knowledge related to membrane vesicles is important to understand how to inhibit the biofilm formation and consequently biofilm-related infections.

Declaration of interests

R. Grande has received a research grant from BioGaia Company. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

One peer reviewer on this manuscript received an honorarium from Expert Opinion on Drug Safety for their review work but has no other relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Authors contribution statement

V. Puca, B. Marinacci, and B. Pellegrini searched for the literature. R. Grande filtered the search results. All the authors analyzed the data. V. Puca, B. Marinacci, B. Pellegrini, and R. Grande wrote the manuscript. F. Campanile, M. Santagati, and R. Grande critically revised the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.