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Published on: September 21, 2012
Sialic acid-dependent attachment of mucins from three mouse strains to Entamoeba histolytica
Kentaro Kato1, Yasuhiro Takegawa, Katherine S Ralston
1Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan. katoken@nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Mouse strain-specific differences in the carbohydrate composition of intestinal mucins were hypothesized to account for strain-dependent susceptibility to Entamoeba histolytica. To test this hypothesis, intestinal mucins from susceptible and resistant inbred strains of mice were analyzed for their O-glycan content and for their ability to inhibit amoebic adherence to (GalNAc)12-27-HSA neo-glycoproteins. The results showed that the colorectal mucin O-glycan of susceptible CBA mice was lower in sialic acid content than that of resistant C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. Mucins from CBA mice were more potent inhibitors of E. histolytica adherence to neo-glycoproteins than were mucins from C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice. Consistent with the role of terminal Gal/GalNAc as a receptor for amoebic adherence, sialidase treatment of C57BL/6 and BALB/c colorectal mucins increased their ability to inhibit E. histolytica adherence to the neo-glycoproteins. These results provide evidence of mouse strain-specific differences in the sialic acids content of mucin O-glycans. These dissimilarities likely contribute to the differential susceptibility of the three mouse strains to E. histolytica infection.
Insights
Mouse strain differences in intestinal mucin carbohydrates affect susceptibility to Entamoeba histolytica. Lower sialic acid in susceptible mice mucins correlates with increased amoebic adherence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Glycobiology
Background:
- Mouse strain-specific differences in intestinal mucin carbohydrate composition are hypothesized to influence susceptibility to Entamoeba histolytica infections.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between intestinal mucin O-glycan composition and Entamoeba histolytica susceptibility in different mouse strains.
- To analyze the inhibitory effects of mucins on amoebic adherence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of O-glycan content in intestinal mucins from susceptible (CBA) and resistant (C57BL/6, BALB/c) mouse strains.
- Assay of mucin's ability to inhibit Entamoeba histolytica adherence to (GalNAc)12-27-HSA neo-glycoproteins.
- Sialidase treatment of mucins to assess the role of terminal sugars.
Main Results:
- Susceptible CBA mice exhibited lower sialic acid content in colorectal mucin O-glycans compared to resistant C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice.
- Mucins from CBA mice demonstrated greater inhibition of Entamoeba histolytica adherence than those from resistant strains.
- Sialidase treatment enhanced the inhibitory capacity of resistant mouse mucins, confirming the role of terminal Gal/GalNAc in amoebic adherence.
Conclusions:
- Significant mouse strain-specific variations exist in the sialic acid content of intestinal mucin O-glycans.
- These compositional differences in mucins likely contribute to the observed differential susceptibility of mouse strains to Entamoeba histolytica infection.
