IADR Abstract Archives
Molecular And Nanomechanical Characterization Of Honey-derived Exosomes Against Streptococcus mutans
Objectives: Recently, it has been shown that honey contains exosome-like extracellular vesicles (EVs) with strong antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against gram positive bacteria. The aim of our study was to characterize molecular and nanomechanical properties of EVs derived from A. mellifera honey (HEc-EVs) to get an idea of the possible mechanism of action of these EVs on gram positive bacterial strains.
Methods: A. mellifera honey-derived EVs from Eucryphia cordifolia (HEc-EVs) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and molecularly characterized with Western Blot and ELISA. To explore the nanomechanical and ultrastructural properties of HEc-EVs, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed.
Results: The characterization at the molecular level of the HEc-EVs allowed identification of the exosomal markers CD63 and syntenin. In addition, the antibacterial molecules MRJP1, defensin-1 and jellein-3 were found as intra-vesicular cargo. Nanomechanical results revealed that EVs were mostly <150nm, and low elastic modulus values comparable to EVs from other biological sources. AFM nanocharacterization showed alterations consistent with membrane damage on S. mutans when treated with EVs.
Conclusions: This is the first study reporting characterization of HEc-EVs exosomal markers and antibacterial peptides as cargo molecules. AFM nanocharacterization shows structural bacterial membrane alterations that explain potential mechanisms for bacterial viability inhibition when treated with HEc-EVs.
Methods: A. mellifera honey-derived EVs from Eucryphia cordifolia (HEc-EVs) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and molecularly characterized with Western Blot and ELISA. To explore the nanomechanical and ultrastructural properties of HEc-EVs, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed.
Results: The characterization at the molecular level of the HEc-EVs allowed identification of the exosomal markers CD63 and syntenin. In addition, the antibacterial molecules MRJP1, defensin-1 and jellein-3 were found as intra-vesicular cargo. Nanomechanical results revealed that EVs were mostly <150nm, and low elastic modulus values comparable to EVs from other biological sources. AFM nanocharacterization showed alterations consistent with membrane damage on S. mutans when treated with EVs.
Conclusions: This is the first study reporting characterization of HEc-EVs exosomal markers and antibacterial peptides as cargo molecules. AFM nanocharacterization shows structural bacterial membrane alterations that explain potential mechanisms for bacterial viability inhibition when treated with HEc-EVs.