Giant Extracellular Matrix Binding Protein Expression in Staphylococcus epidermidis is Regulated by Biofilm Formation and Osmotic Pressure

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic bacterium that thrives as a commensal cutaneous organism and as a vascular pathogen. The S. epidermidis extracellular matrix binding protein (Embp) has been reported to be a virulence factor involved in colonization of medical device implants and subsequent biofilm formation. Here, we characterize the expression patterns of Embp in planktonic and biofilm cultures, as well as under high osmotic stresses that typify the commensal environment of the skin. Embp expression without osmotic stress was similar for planktonic and adherent cultures. Addition of osmotic stress via NaCl caused slight increases in embp expression in planktonic cultures. However, in adherent cultures a 100-fold increase in embp expression with NaCl versus controls occurred and coincided with altered biofilm morphology. Results suggest that the central role of Embp lies in commensal skin colonization, stabilizing the cell wall against osmotic stresses, rather than as a virulence factor promoting adhesion.