The removal of biofilms made up of two or more bacterial communities is thus critical to decrease the incidences of gene transfer between bacteria. This may significantly decrease the formation of new multiple antibiotic-resistant strains (Johnson et al.,
2006). Based on the present study, we show the ability of A. baumannii isolates obtained from UTI to adhere to different abiotic surfaces under experimental conditions. The role of plasmids with antibiotic-resistant characteristics in gene transfer and resistance towards antibiotics in biofilm-forming strains check details has been established. Finally, biofilm formation as well as the potential ability of spreading the antibiotic-resistant markers to other pathogens has been highlighted. The authors would like to acknowledge Dr R.B. Patwardhan, Professor K.B. Niphalkar, Mrs M.G. Satpute, Miss N.V. Telang and Miss A. Engineer for their constant help. D.H.D. would like to acknowledge
Bhabha Atomic selleck screening library Research Centre – University of Pune collaborative research programme for senior research fellowship (SRF). “
“There is increasing evidence that inflammation in the synovium plays a major role in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the immunogenic properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which are considered to regulate immunity in various diseases, remain largely unknown in OA. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of MSCs from OA patients on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in an allogeneic co-culture model. Bone marrow (BM) and synovial membrane (SM) were harvested from hip joints of OA patients and co-cultured with lymphocytes enriched in CD4+CD25+CD127– regulatory T cells (Treg+LC) from healthy donors. Treg proportions and MSC markers were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytokine levels CYTH4 were assessed after 2 and 5 days of co-cultivation. Additionally, Treg+LC cultures were analysed in the presence of interleukin (IL)-6 and MSC-supernatant complemented medium. B-MSCs and S-MSCs were able to retain
the Treg proportion compared to lymphocyte monocultures. T cell–MSC co-cultures showed a significant increase of IL-6 compared to MSC cultures. S-MSCs produced higher amounts of IL-6 compared to B-MSCs, both in single and T cell co-cultures. The effect of retaining the Treg percentage could be reproduced partially by IL-6 addition to the medium, but could only be observed fully when using MSC culture supernatants. Our data demonstrate that retaining the Treg phenotype in MSC–T cell co-cultures can be mediated by MSC derived from OA patients. IL-6 plays an important role in mediating these processes. To our knowledge, this study is the first describing the interaction of MSCs from OA patients and Tregs in an allogeneic co-culture model.