Lactobacillus Biofilms Influence Anti-Candida Activity

PAROLIN, CAROLA; CROATTI, VANESSA; LAGHI, LUCA; GIORDANI, BARBARA; TONDI, MARIA ROSARIA; DE GREGORIO, PRISCILLA ROMINA; FOSCHI, CLAUDIO; VITALI, BEATRICE

Frontiers in Microbiology

Frontiers

Año: 2021 vol. 12

Lactobacilli are the dominant members of the healthy human vaginal microbiotaand represent the first defense line from pathogen infection, including vulvovaginalcandidiasis. Biofilm is the predominant microbial growth form in nature, and theformation of biofilms inside the human body has important implications in healthand disease. In particular, the formation of biofilm by members of the humanresident microbiota is desirable, as it can improve microbial persistence and influencefunctionality. In the present study, we investigated the capability of 16 vaginalLactobacillus strains (belonging to Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri,Lactobacillus vaginalis, and Lactobacillus plantarum species) to form biofilms, and wecorrelated their mode of growth to anti-Candida activity. L. plantarum strains werethe best biofilm producers, and high variability was registered in the level of biofilmformation among L. crispatus and L. gasseri strains. Culture supernatants derived fromLactobacillus biofilm and planktonic growth were tested toward a panel of Candidaclinical isolates (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae, Candidatropicalis, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis) and their metabolome assessedby 1H-NMR. L. crispatus and L. plantarum strains exhibited the best fungistatic profile,and biofilms enhanced their anti-Candida activity; on the contrary, L. gasseri strainswere more effective when grown in a planktonic mode. Biofilm/planktonic mode ofgrowth also affects Lactobacillus metabolism, mainly influencing nitrogen and aminoacid pathways, and anti-Candida activity is instead strictly related to carbohydratemetabolism. The present study underlined the strict interdependence between microbialmode of growth, metabolism, and functional properties. Biofilm formation by membersof the healthy human microbiota represents a crucial issue in the field of microbialphysiology and host?microbiota interactions, beyond supporting the development ofnew antimycotic strategies based on probiotics grown in adherence.