Abstract
A common feature of E.Coli strains causing sepsis and meningitis in the newborn period are K1 capsules and S-fimbriae. Because adhesion of pathogenic microorganisms to mucosal surfaces is a fundamental prerequisite for infection we investigated adhesion of S-fimbriated E.Coli to buccal epithelial cells obtained from newborn babies. FITC-labelled E.Coli (strain HB101 pANN 801-4) carrying plasmid pANN 801-4 encoding for S-fimbriae were incubated with mucosal epithelial cells. Analysis by fluorescence mikroskopy showed that bacteria had been bound to 75 - 90% of epithelial cells. This binding was specifically mediated by glycoproteins containing neuraminic acid which could be shown by inhibition experiments using fetuin, α1-acid glykoprotein, methyl-α-D-mannoside and sialic acid. Using this test system the inhibitory activity of saliva on bacterial adhesion was analyzed. The capacity of newborn saliva to inhibit bacterial adhesion was much higher than that of adult saliva: newborn saliva could be diluted 4 - 5 fold to show inhibitory activity equal to adult saliva. Chemical analysis of newborn saliva specimens revealed a 4-5 fold increased total content of sialic acid (mostly protein bound). Using Western blot analysis of newborn and adult saliva we identified sialoglycoprotein bands with relative molecular masses > 200 KD reactive with wheat germ agglutinin which, accordingly, have to be classified as mucins. These data suggest that saliva mucins could represent a major defense mechanism against bacterial infections at a stage of ontogeny were the secretory IgA system is not yet developed.
Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgeme inschaft Schr 381/3-1
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Schroten, H., Hanisch, F., Plogmann, R. et al. 128 BINDING OF CLONED S-FIMBRIATEO E.COLI TO HUMAN BUCCAL EPITHELIAL CELLS -INCREASED ABILITY OF NEONATAL SALIVA TO INTERFERE WITH BACTERIAL ADHESION COMPARED TO ADULT SALIVA. Pediatr Res 28, 298 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00152
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00152