Microbiology Insights

Sputum of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is a nutrient-rich environment. Higher amino acid content of CF sputum compared to normal sputum plays a major role in the CF-specific phenotype of P. aeruginosa. Presence of amino acids in the sputum-like environment influenced P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing activity and the formation of an unknown exopolysaccharide in the biofilm. Lipopolysaccharides isolated from P. aeruginosa grown in the presence of amino acids enhanced the release of cytokine IL-8 by human kidney and lung epithelial cells. The results of this study provide additional evidence on the role of amino acids towards adaptation of P. aeruginosa to the CF lung environment.