Human monoclonal antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus surface antigens recognize in vitro and in vivo biofilm

Journal article (2022)

Authors

Lisanne de Vor University Medical Center Utrecht
Bruce van Dijk University Medical Center Utrecht
Kok van Kessel University Medical Center Utrecht
Jeffrey S. Kavanaugh University of Colorado School of Medicine
Carla de Haas University Medical Center Utrecht
Piet C. Aerts University Medical Center Utrecht
R.M. Ramakers University Medical Center Utrecht, MILabs B.V., RST/Technici Pool - AS
F.J. Beekman MILabs B.V., RST/Biomedical Imaging - AS , University Medical Center Utrecht
H. Weinans University Medical Center Utrecht, Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , Biomechanical Engineering
Research Group
RST/Technici Pool (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2022 Lisanne de Vor, Bruce van Dijk, Kok van Kessel, Jeffrey S. Kavanaugh, Carla de Haas, Piet C. Aerts, R.M. Ramakers, F.J. Beekman, Harrie Weinans
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.67301
More Info
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Published Date

2022

Language

English

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

RST/Radiation, Science and Technology

Research Group

RST/Technici Pool

Abstract

Implant-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections are difficult to treat because of biofilm formation. Bacteria in a biofilm are often insensitive to antibiotics and host immunity. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) could provide an alternative approach to improve the diagnosis and potential treatment of biofilm-related infections. Here, we show that mAbs targeting common surface components of S. aureus can recognize clinically relevant biofilm types. The mAbs were also shown to bind a collection of clinical isolates derived from different biofilm-associated infections (endocarditis, prosthetic joint, catheter). We identify two groups of antibodies: one group that uniquely binds S. aureus in biofilm state and one that recognizes S. aureus in both biofilm and planktonic state. Furthermore, we show that a mAb recognizing wall teichoic acid (clone 4497) specifically localizes to a subcutaneously implanted pre-colonized catheter in mice. In conclusion, we demonstrate the capacity of several human mAbs to detect S. aureus biofilms in vitro and in vivo.