Adhesins of Escherichia coli associated with extra-intestinal pathogenicity confer binding to colonic epithelial cells.

Abstract

Escherichia coli adhesins are virulence factors in intestinal and extra-intestinal infections, but their role in normal intestinal colonization has not been defined. We investigated the intestinal adherence of E. coli with Dr hemagglutinin, S fimbriae, CFA/I or CFA/II, using freshly isolated ileal or colonic enterocytes and cells from the human colonic cell line HT-29. E. coli with S-fimbrial adhesins (Sfa I or Sfa II), P or type 1 fimbriae, adhered in a non-polarized manner, and in similar numbers to colonic and ileal enterocytes. S fimbriae of the variety Sfa II (originating from a meningitis isolate), mediated a stronger binding than Sfa I (of uropathogenic origin). Strains expressing Dr hemagglutinin adhered preferentially to the brush borders, slightly better to colonic than ileal enterocytes. Strains expressing CFA/I or II adhered to colonic and ileal enterocytes, although brush border adherence was predominantly observed with ileal cells. Binding to HT-29 cells paralleled binding to colonic enterocytes for all adhesin specificities except CFA/I. The results suggest that Dr hemagglutinin, P-, type 1- and S-fimbrial adhesins mediate binding to both colonic and ileal enterocytes. These specificities may contribute to the establishment of E. coli in the intestinal microflora, which precedes their spread to extra-intestinal sites.

• Authors: I Adlerberth, L A Hanson, C Svanborg, A M Svennerholm, S Nordgren, A E Wold
• Journal: Microbial pathogenesis (Microb Pathog) Vol. 18 Issue 6 Pg. 373-85 (Jun 1995) ISSN: 0882-4010 [Print] England
• PMID: 8551941 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adhesins, Escherichia coli
• Bacterial Proteins
• Hemagglutinins
• colonization factor antigens
• Fimbriae Proteins

Topics

• Adhesins, Escherichia coli (metabolism)
• Bacterial Adhesion
• Bacterial Proteins (metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured
• Colon (cytology, microbiology)
• Epithelial Cells
• Escherichia coli (isolation & purification, metabolism, pathogenicity)
• Fimbriae Proteins
• HT29 Cells
• Hemagglutinins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Ileum (cytology, microbiology)