Quorum sensing molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone: An all-rounder in mammalian cell modification

Background: Bacteria exhibit multi-cellular social behavior, such as biofilm formation, virulence generation, bioluminescence, or sporulation, through cell-to-cell communication involving a quorum sensing (QS) system capable of sensing species density. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a ubiquitous gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is frequently isolated from immunocompromised patients. It is particularly detected in patients with severe periodontitis and persistent endodontic infections, forcing a rethink of the role of this opportunistic pathogen in oral lesions. Highlight: N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL) is a pivotal QS molecule, which regulates numerous virulence genes in P. aeruginosa and exhibits broad biological modulation effects in mammalian cells. In this review, we highlight the diverse OdDHL-mediated apoptosis and immunomodulatory effects on host cells. The structural properties, signaling pathways, targeted genes and proteins, and intracellular metabolism of OdDHL are also discussed to clarify the interactions between P. aeruginosa and the host. Conclusion: The purpose of this review is to identify a valid target for quenching OdDHL, which could potentially eliminate the pathogenic effect of P. aeruginosa.