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Adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to tracheal epithelium
Abstract:
Adherence of mucoid and nonmucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to tracheal epithelium was studied with a perfused-trachea model. The species specificity of adherence was studied by infecting tracheas from hamsters, guinea pigs, or mice. Perfused tracheas from hamsters were infected with strains of P. aeruginosa in the presence of various sugars, lectins, cations, or charged polymers. Adherence of mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa was greatest for guinea pigs; that for hamsters and mice was approximately the same. Nonmucoid strains did not adhere well to epithelium from any of the species tested. N-Acetylglucosamine, galactose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid were the best inhibitors of adherence of mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa. Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin and Arachis hypogaea agglutinin enhanced adherence of mucoid strains. Adherence of mucoid strains was also enhanced by the presence of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. Poly-L-lysine, poly-L-aspartic acid, and polyglycine inhibited adherence of a mucoid strain by 96, 86, and 52%, respectively. In general, the adherence of nonmucoid strains was not affected. The results indicate that carbohydrates are involved in the interaction of mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa with tracheal cells and that divalent cations may enhance this interaction. The lectin data show that lectins can interact with the mucoid organisms and the host and suggest that lectins may play a role in the adhesion process.
Insights
Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa adheres best to guinea pig tracheas, with carbohydrates and calcium ions enhancing this interaction. Nonmucoid strains showed poor adherence across all species tested.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes significant respiratory infections.
- The adherence of P. aeruginosa to host cells is a critical step in establishing infection.
- Understanding the factors influencing adherence is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adherence of mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to tracheal epithelium.
- To determine the species specificity of P. aeruginosa adherence.
- To identify host and bacterial factors involved in the adherence process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a perfused-trachea model using tracheas from hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice.
- Infected tracheas with P. aeruginosa strains in the presence of sugars, lectins, cations, and charged polymers.
- Quantified bacterial adherence to the tracheal epithelium.
Main Results:
- Mucoid P. aeruginosa strains exhibited greatest adherence to guinea pig tracheas, with similar adherence to hamster and mouse tracheas.
- Nonmucoid strains showed poor adherence to all tested species.
- N-Acetylglucosamine, galactose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid inhibited adherence, while certain lectins and Ca2+ enhanced it.
- Charged polymers differentially affected adherence, with Poly-L-lysine showing significant inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Carbohydrates play a significant role in the interaction between mucoid P. aeruginosa and tracheal cells.
- Divalent cations, such as Ca2+, may enhance the adherence of P. aeruginosa.
- Lectins can interact with both the bacteria and host cells, suggesting a role in the adhesion process.