Zinc oxide nanoparticles inhibits quorum sensing and virulence in .

BACKGROUND

Quorum sensing inhibitionis an advanced strategy that aims to interfere with bacterial cell-to-cell communication systems (quorum sensing), which regulate virulence factors production in , in order to overcome the globalcrisis of antimicrobial resistance.

OBJECTIVES

Study the potential quorum sensing inhibitory effect of Zinc oxide (ZnO)nanoparticlesin and the impact on production of virulence factors.

METHODS

Quorum sensing inhibitory effect of ZnO was evaluated by assessing its ability to reducePseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors production; rhamnolipids, pyocyanin, pyoverdin, hemolysins, elastase and proteases. Furthermore, qRT-PCR was performed to determine ZnO inhibitory effect onQS-regulatory geneslasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, pqsA and pqsR that control virulence factors secretion. Moreover, mice survival test was conducted to investigate the influence of ZnO on Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced mortality in vivo.

RESULTS

ZnO revealed a statistically significant reduction in the production of QS-controlled virulence factors rhamnolipids, pyocyanin, pyoverdin, hemolysins, elastase and proteases. Furthermore, ZnO exhibited a significant decrease in the relative expression of QS-regulatory geneslasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, pqsA and pqsR. Additionally, ZnO significantly reduced the pathogenesis of in vivo.

CONCLUSION

ZnO nanoparticles can be used as a quorum sensing inhibitor in infections either as an adjuvant or alternative to conventional antimicrobials.