Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing inhibition by clinical isolate Delftia tsuruhatensis 11304: involvement of N-octadecanoylhomoserine lactones

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens that use quorum sensing (QS) system to regulate virulence factors expression and biofilm development. Delftia sp. 11304 was selected among 663 Gram-negative clinical isolates based on its QS inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa MMA83 clinical isolate. Whole genome sequencing identified this isolate as D. tsuruhatensis and revealed genetic armamentarium of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance determinants. Ethyl acetate extract of D. tsuruhatensis 11304 culture supernatant (QSI extract) prevented biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa MMA83, but was unable to cause biofilm decomposition. QSI extract showed a synergistic effect in combination with meropenem and gentamycin, against P. aeruginosa MMA83. A dose-dependent reduction of the virulence factors: elastase, rhamnolipid and pyocyanin production by P. aeruginosa MMA83 and significant downregulation of lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, pqs and mvfR expression were observed. Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of D. tsuruhatensis 11304 QSI extract revealed the presence of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) with chain lengths of C12 to C18. The main ion peak was identified as N-octadecanoylhomoserine lactone (C(18)-HSL). Commercial C(18)-HSL (20 µM) reduced pyocyanin production as well as mRNA level of the lasI gene. A novel AHL species, dihydroxy-N-octadecanoylhomoserine lactone, was also described.