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Binding of Clostridium difficile surface layer proteins to gastrointestinal tissues
Emanuela Calabi1, Franco Calabi, Alan D Phillips
1Department of Biological Sciences, Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2AY, United Kingdom.
Infection and Immunity
|September 14, 2002
Summary
Clostridium difficile surface layer proteins (SLPs) mediate bacterial adherence to gut tissues. This binding, primarily by high-molecular-weight SLP, suggests a role in C. difficile colonization and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridium difficile causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea, particularly in elderly patients.
- Gut colonization mechanisms and bacterial adherence to the mucosa require clarification.
- Previous studies suggested multiple adhesins, with only one characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of C. difficile surface layer proteins (SLPs) in tissue binding and adherence.
- Identify potential ligands and extracellular matrix components involved in C. difficile adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis of C. difficile adherence to HEp-2 cells.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of human gastrointestinal tissue sections.
- Western blotting and binding assays with purified recombinant SLPs and extracellular matrix components.
Main Results:
- Antibodies to high-molecular-weight (MW) SLP inhibited C. difficile adherence to HEp-2 cells.
- SLPs strongly bound to gastrointestinal epithelium and lamina propria in human and mouse tissues.
- SLP binding was mediated by high-MW SLP and occurred with collagen I, thrombospondin, and vitronectin.
Conclusions:
- C. difficile SLPs, particularly high-MW SLP, play a significant role in bacterial adherence to the gut mucosa.
- SLP interactions with host tissues may contribute to initial gut colonization and subsequent inflammatory responses.
- Identified potential gut-specific ligands and extracellular matrix interactions for C. difficile SLPs.