Learning from Nature: Bacterial Spores as a Target for Current Technologies in Medicine (Review)

Abstract

The capability of some representatives of Clostridium spp . and Bacillus spp . genera to form spores in extreme external conditions long ago became a subject of medico-biological investigations. Bacterial spores represent dormant cellular forms of gram-positive bacteria possessing a high potential of stability and the capability to endure extreme conditions of their habitat. Owing to these properties, bacterial spores are recognized as the most stable systems on the planet, and spore-forming microorganisms became widely spread in various ecosystems. Spore-forming bacteria have been attracted increased interest for years due to their epidemiological danger. Bacterial spores may be in the quiescent state for dozens or hundreds of years but after they appear in the favorable conditions of a human or animal organism, they turn into vegetative forms causing an infectious process. The greatest threat among the pathogenic spore-forming bacteria is posed by the causative agents of anthrax ( B. anthracis ), food toxicoinfection ( B. cereus ), pseudomembranous colitis ( C. difficile ), botulism ( C. botulinum ), gas gangrene ( C. perfringens ). For the effective prevention of severe infectious diseases first of all it is necessary to study the molecular structure of bacterial spores and the biochemical mechanisms of sporulation and to develop innovative methods of detection and disinfection of dormant cells. There is another side of the problem: the necessity to investigate exo- and endospores from the standpoint of obtaining similar artificially synthesized models in order to use them in the latest medical technologies for the development of thermostable vaccines, delivery of biologically active substances to the tissues and intracellular structures. In recent years, bacterial spores have become an interesting object for the exploration from the point of view of a new paradigm of unicellular microbiology in order to study microbial heterogeneity by means of the modern analytical tools.

Bacteria‐Based Living Probes: Preparation and the Applications in Bioimaging and Diagnosis

“…[139,140] Given their merits of unique physiological characteristics including loading capacity, nanosize, communications to bacteria and mammalian cells, and dual internal and external modifiability, OMVs serve as a versatile platform for a variety of bioimaging, such as optical imaging. [141][142][143] [138] Copyright 2018, American Chemical Society.…”

“…These characteristics endow bacterial spores with resistance against heat, chemical resistance, and radiation. [ 143 ] Moreover, bacterial spores are dormant and basically thought to be devoid of biological activity, but can germinate to new vegetative cells once the surrounding environment changing to a condition that is suitable for bacterial growth. [ 144 ] Given these advantages, bacterial spores have been extensively studied and used as carriers in a variety of biomedical applications, including bioimaging and disease therapy.…”

Features of anthrax natural foci and Bacillus anthracis ecology

“…Данные гены ответствен ны за конструирование споры. После завершения фор мирования эндоспоры материнская клетка подвергает ся запрограммированному аутолизу, выпуская зрелую спору в окружающую среду [3].…”

SpoIVA is an essential morphogenetic protein for the formation of heat- and lysozyme-resistant spores in Clostridium sporogenes NBRC 14293

“…Clostridium species are anaerobic Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria that are widely present in the intestines of animals and humans and in the environment. Clostridium botulinum , Clostridium tetani , Clostridium perfringens , and C. difficile are important pathogenic bacteria ( Shen et al, 2019 ; Andryukov et al, 2021 ). Therefore, studies on the sporulation and germination of these Clostridium species are important.…”