Quorum sensing crosstalk and dynamics in polymicrobial biofilms: implications for pathogenesis and emerging therapeutic strategies

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication system that regulates bacterial behavior, including biofilm formation, virulence, and antibiotic resistance. While QS has been extensively studied in single-species biofilms, emerging evidence highlights the complexity of QS crosstalk in polymicrobial biofilms, where multiple bacterial species coordinate or compete through interspecies signaling molecules. QS-mediated interactions in polymicrobial biofilms significantly influence disease progression by enhancing microbial adaptability, resistance to antimicrobial agents, and immune evasion. Crosstalk between different QS systems can either promote synergistic cooperation, leading to increased virulence, or trigger antagonistic responses that affect microbial dynamics. Understanding QS crosstalk in polymicrobial biofilms is crucial for developing innovative therapeutic interventions. Emerging approaches include quorum quenching strategies, targeting QS signals to disrupt biofilm formation, advanced drug delivery systems, and combination therapies that enhance bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobials. Future research should focus on revealing the intricate molecular mechanisms of QS interactions and identifying novel inhibitors to combat polymicrobial infections. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of QS crosstalk in polymicrobial biofilms, emphasizing its impact on disease progression and therapeutic challenges. Addressing this phenomenon could be used for next-generation antimicrobial strategies, offering new hope for managing chronic infections and antibiotic resistance.