Relationship between capsule production and biofilm formation by Mannheimia haemolytica, and establishment of a poly-species biofilm with other Pasteurellaceae

<i>Mannheimia haemolytica</i> is one of the bacterial agents responsible for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The capability of <i>M. haemolytica</i> to form a biofilm may contribute to the development of chronic BRD infection by making the bacteria more resistant to host innate immunity and antibiotics. To improve therapy and prevent BRD, a greater understanding of the association between <i>M. haemolytica</i> surface components and biofilm formation is needed. <i>M. haemolytica</i> strain 619 (wild-type) made a poorly adherent, low-biomass biofilm. To examine the relationship between capsule and biofilm formation, a capsule-deficient mutant of wild-type <i>M. haemolytica</i> was obtained following mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate to obtain mutant E09. Loss of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) in mutant E09 was supported by transmission electron microscopy and Maneval's staining. Mutant E09 attached to polyvinyl chloride plates more effectively, and produced a significantly denser and more uniform biofilm than the wild-type, as determined by crystal violet staining, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy with COMSTAT analysis. The biofilm matrix of E09 contained predominately protein and significantly more eDNA than the wild-type, but not a distinct exopolysaccharide. Furthermore, treatment with DNase I significantly reduced the biofilm content of both the wild-type and E09 mutant. DNA sequencing of E09 showed that a point mutation occurred in the capsule biosynthesis gene <i>wecB</i>. The complementation of <i>wecB in trans</i> in mutant E09 successfully restored CPS production and reduced bacterial attachment/biofilm to levels similar to that of the wild-type. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization microscopy showed that <i>M. haemolytica</i> formed a poly-microbial biofilm with <i>Histophilus somni</i> and <i>Pasteurella multocida</i>. Overall, CPS production by <i>M. haemolytica</i> was inversely correlated with biofilm formation, the integrity of which required eDNA. A poly-microbial biofilm was readily formed between <i>M. haemolytica</i>, <i>H. somni</i>, and <i>P. multocida</i>, suggesting a mutualistic or synergistic interaction that may benefit bacterial colonization of the bovine respiratory tract.