Mixed-Species Biofilm Compromises Wound Healing by Disrupting Epidermal Barrier Function

In chronic wounds, biofilm infects host tissue for extended periods of time. This work establishes the first chronic pre-clinical model of wound biofilm infection aimed at addressing long-term host response. Although biofilm infected wounds did not show marked differences in wound closure, the repaired skin demonstrated compromised barrier function. This observation is clinically significant because it leads to the notion that even if a biofilm infected wound is closed as observed visually, it may be complicated by the presence of failed skin which is likely to be infected and or further complicated post-closure. Study of underlying mechanisms recognized for the first time biofilm-inducible miR-146a and miR-106b in the host skin wound-edge tissue. These miRs silenced ZO-1 and ZO-2 to compromise tight junction function resulting in leaky skin as measured by transepidermal water loss. Intervention strategies aimed at inhibiting biofilm-inducible miRNAs may be productive in restoring barrier function of host skin.