Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
Institute of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Marine Integrated Biomedical Technology Center, The National Key Research Institutes in Universities, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea; Research Center for Marine Integrated Bionics Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
Acta Biomater. 2024 Apr 1;178:13-23. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.029. Epub 2024 Feb 27.
Microbial pathogens cause persistent infections by forming biofilms and producing numerous virulence factors. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are nanostructures produced by various bacterial species vital for molecular transport. BEVs include various components, including lipids (glycolipids, LPS, and phospholipids), nucleic acids (genomic DNA, plasmids, and short RNA), proteins (membrane proteins, enzymes, and toxins), and quorum-sensing signaling molecules. BEVs play a major role in forming extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilms by transporting EPS components such as extracellular polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA. BEVs have been observed to carry various secretory virulence factors. Thus, BEVs play critical roles in cell-to-cell communication, biofilm formation, virulence, disease progression, and resistance to antimicrobial treatment. In contrast, BEVs have been shown to impede early-stage biofilm formation, disseminate mature biofilms, and reduce virulence. This review summarizes the current status in the literature regarding the composition and role of BEVs in microbial infections. Furthermore, the dual functions of BEVs in eliciting and suppressing biofilm formation and virulence in various microbial pathogens are thoroughly discussed. This review is expected to improve our understanding of the use of BEVs in determining the mechanism of biofilm development in pathogenic bacteria and in developing drugs to inhibit biofilm formation by microbial pathogens. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are nanostructures formed by membrane blebbing and explosive cell lysis. It is essential for transporting lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, and quorum-sensing signaling molecules. BEVs play an important role in the formation of the biofilm's extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by transporting its components, such as extracellular polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA. Furthermore, BEVs shield genetic material from nucleases and thermodegradation by packaging it during horizontal gene transfer, contributing to the transmission of bacterial adaptation determinants like antibiotic resistance. Thus, BEVs play a critical role in cell-to-cell communication, biofilm formation, virulence enhancement, disease progression, and drug resistance. In contrast, BEVs have been shown to prevent early-stage biofilm, disperse mature biofilm, and reduce virulence characteristics.
微生物病原体通过形成生物膜和产生大量毒力因子来引起持续性感染。细菌细胞外囊泡 (BEV) 是各种细菌产生的纳米结构，对于分子运输至关重要。BEV 包含多种成分，包括脂质（糖脂、LPS 和磷脂）、核酸（基因组 DNA、质粒和短 RNA）、蛋白质（膜蛋白、酶和毒素）和群体感应信号分子。BEV 通过运输生物膜中细胞外聚合物物质 (EPS) 的各种成分，如细胞外多糖、蛋白质和细胞外 DNA，在 EPS 的形成中发挥主要作用。已经观察到 BEV 携带各种分泌性毒力因子。因此，BEV 在细胞间通讯、生物膜形成、毒力、疾病进展和对抗生素治疗的抗性中发挥关键作用。相比之下，BEV 已被证明会阻碍早期生物膜形成、传播成熟生物膜并降低毒力。本综述总结了目前关于 BEV 在微生物感染中的组成和作用的文献现状。此外，还深入讨论了 BEV 在各种微生物病原体中引发和抑制生物膜形成和毒力的双重功能。本综述有望提高我们对 BEV 在确定致病菌生物膜发育机制以及开发抑制微生物病原体生物膜形成的药物中的作用的理解。
