AUTHOR=Yin Hongmei , Yan Qiaohua , Cheng Guoqiang , Zhang Li , Li Meiqing , Hu Tingting , Gao Sihui , Chen Yuanhang , Tang Huaqiao , Luo Jie 

TITLE=The antivirulence activity, transcriptomics of EGCG and its protective effects on zebrafish infected by Aeromonas hydrophila

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1271448

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2023.1271448

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p><italic>Aeromonas hydrophila</italic> is an important pathogen that mainly harms aquatic animals and exhibits resistance to a variety of antibiotics. This study investigated the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the virulence factors of <italic>A.hydrophila</italic> and its impact on adhesion, invasion, and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. The potential mechanism of antibacterial activity of EGCG was investigated by transcriptomic analysis.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>EGCG not only inhibited the production of biofilm, hemolytic activity, motility, and protease activity of <italic>A.hydrophila</italic>, but also reduced its adhesion, invasion, and cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the antimicrobial activity of EGCG may be achieved by weakening the chemotaxis and stress response of the bacteria, as well as inhibiting the TonB system. Animal studies demonstrated that EGCG can significantly improve the survival rate and organs damage of zebrafish infected with <italic>A.hydrophila</italic>.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>EGCG would be a potential alternative drug for the prevention and treatment of <italic>A. hydrophila</italic> infections by anti-virulence mechanism.</p></sec>