The Role of Bps Polysaccharide in Bordetella Resistance to Host Innate Defenses

Abstract

Bacteria face many challenges during infection of the host. Initiation of infection requires attachment to host surfaces. <italic>Bordetella</italic> species possess several virulence factors that mediate binding to the host such as filamentous hemagglutinin and pertactin. A crucial component of successful colonization is evasion of host defenses. Biofilms have been proposed to promote bacterial persistence by suppressing the effectiveness of host responses. A hallmark of mature biofilms is the production of a matrix composed of extracellular polymers including proteins, DNA and polysaccharides. We have shown that the <italic>bps</italic> locus is required for biofilm formation and production of the <italic>Bordetella</italic> polysaccharide (Bps), a major constituent of <italic>Bordetella</italic> biofilms.