Binding of extracellular matrix proteins to the surface of anaerobic bacteria

Abstract

The binding of fibronectin, vitronectin, collagen and sialoprotein to 65 anaerobic strains was investigated by means of latex agglutination tests. The binding of fibronectin, collagen and lactoferrin to the same strains was also tested by means of '251-labelled proteins. The strains were isolated from abdominal infections (55%), from the faeces of healthy subjects (29%) or from the depths of tonsils removed at tonsillectomy (16%). The binding of fibronectin and collagen to Bacteroides fragilis strains, tested by the latex agglutination assay, was stronger than their binding to other species. The vitronectin binding of the strains was less common, but was always accompanied by fibronectin binding. Binding to fibronectin-coated beads was inhibited by pre-incubation of the bacterial cells with soluble fibronectin and by heat or protease treatment of the bacterial suspension. No inhibition of the binding was observed with carbohydrates. None of the 65 strains exhibited any binding to fetuin or asialofetuin; 8% of the strains had a binding site for mucin. The binding to mucin-coated beads was inhibited by preincubation of the cells with mucin. The radiolabelling method indicated a low binding to 1251-fibronectin. The binding of '251-collagen-I and 1251-lactoferrin was higher for the anaerobic strains tested.

Human secretory immunoglobulin A may contribute to biofilm formation in the gut

“…This idea is supported by the observations that sIgA (1) is equipped with carbohydrates that are recognized by bacterial receptors 27 and (2) contains a secretory component that can also bind to certain bacteria 28 . A second indication that bacteria may be indirectly anchored by host molecules is that mucins, which were found to facilitate biofilm formation in vitro , are anchored to gut epithelium 29 and bind to a variety of enteric bacteria 24–26 . Finally, studies suggest that sIgA, which binds to enteric bacteria, also binds to the adherent mucus layer of the respiratory tract in an interaction that is mediated by the secretory component 30 .…”

“…2a) provides further support for the importance of agglutination in aIgA‐mediated biofilm formation. If indeed bacterial agglutination is a prerequisite for biofilm formation, then it is perhaps not surprising that mucin, which binds a variety of bacterial species, 24–26 facilitates biofilm formation.…”

Influence of extracellular matrix proteins in enhancing bacterial adhesion to titanium surfaces

“…Pathogens colonize host tissues and in order to be successful, they have evolved different strategies to do this. It has been found that many microorganisms express cell surface adhesins, which mediate adhesion between the microorganism and the ECM of host tissues 16. Increased understanding of the role of ECM proteins in facilitating bacterial adherence and propagation of the biofilm may lead to strategies for preventing and managing peri‐implantitis.…”

Identification of a Collagen Type I Adhesin of Bacteroides fragilis

“…The ability of B. fragilis whole cells to adhere to collagen has been previously demonstrated by us and others [16], [15], [10], but the cell surface structures responsible for this adhesion were not known. In order to identify such proteins, the collagen adhesion profile of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of the B. fragilis clinical isolate GSH18 was examined by collagen Far Western analysis (Lane 2, Fig.…”

“…Szoke et al . [15] demonstrated collagen type I binding associated with cell surface proteinaceous receptors. Fifteen of 24 B. fragilis isolates from infected sites and 9 out of the 13 of strains isolated from faecal material were able to adhere to collagen type I [10] indicating that adhesion was strain specific.…”