Biofilm-associated molecular patterns: BAMPs

Chronic infections involving bacterial biofilms are a major clinical challenge due to the ability of biofilm to resist antimicrobial treatments and host immune responses. The resulting persistent infections are often accompanied by collateral damage mainly executed by activated components of the innate immune system in response to the infectious biofilm. The innate immune system responds to the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are broadly expressed by both planktonic and biofilm-forming bacteria. However, the expression of special PAMPs in association with biofilms remains poorly defined. Here, we review prior studies that provide experimental evidence of the existence of immune-activating molecular patterns that are expressed at immunostimulatory levels in biofilms but not in planktonic bacteria. Accordingly, we introduce the concept of biofilm-associated molecular patterns (BAMPs) as a subset of PAMPs that are expressed in biofilms. Identifying BAMPs and elucidating their role in innate immune activation may inform the development of targeted therapies to reduce collateral tissue damage in biofilm-associated infections.