Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model
Published on: June 23, 2015
Tamm-Horsfall protein facilitates catheter associated urinary tract infection
Hajamohideen S Raffi1, James M Bates, Dayl J Flournoy
1Department of Medicine/Nephrology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 920 SL Young Blvd, WP 2250, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Background:
Urinary catheters are associated, commonly with bacteriuria and frequently with urinary tract infection. Tamm-Horsfall Protein (THP) is urine's most abundant protein and is known to bind to uropathogenic bacteria. The role of THP in the pathogenesis of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is not clear. We examined the role of THP in facilitating bacterial binding to urinary catheters in vivo and in vitro.
Findings:
Twenty one urinary catheters were obtained from 20 hospitalized patients. THP was eluted from the catheter surface and catheter segments were cultured. Additional studies were performed in vitro on unused silicone and latex catheters to determine the binding of THP, and the effect of THP on the binding of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), to the catheter surface.On catheters obtained from patients, the THP deposition was significantly more on culture positive catheters than on culture negative catheters. In the in vitro studies, THP bound to both silicone and latex catheters, and THP enhanced the adherence of E. coli and P. aeruginosa to both types of catheters.
Conclusion:
THP binds to urinary catheters and facilitates the binding of uropathogenic bacteria to catheters.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
Cotranslational Protein Translocation
Sec61 channel partners for cotranslational translocation
During cotranslational translocation, the Sec61 channel partners with the signal recognition particle (SRP), the signal recognition particle receptor (SR), and the ribosomes to transport the nascent polypeptide chain...
Bacterial Translocation and Protein Secretion
Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

