Eikenella corrodens adherence to human buccal epithelial cells

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Cell Biology
• Bacterial Adherence Mechanisms

Background:

• Eikenella corrodens is a bacterium known to colonize human mucosal surfaces.
• Understanding bacterial adherence is critical for studying host-pathogen interactions and developing preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the adherence of Eikenella corrodens to human buccal epithelial cells.
• To identify specific bacterial and host cell factors involved in the E. corrodens adherence process.

Main Methods:

• Optimizing adherence conditions (time, temperature, concentration, pH).
• Investigating the role of bacterial and epithelial cell surface components using enzymatic treatments (trypsin, neuraminidase) and chemical inhibitors (EDTA).
• Assessing the effect of specific sugars (D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine) and enzymes (sodium metaperiodate, alpha- and beta-galactosidase) on adherence.

Main Results:

• Adherence was dependent on time, temperature, bacterial concentration, and pH, with strain 1073 showing maximal adherence.
• Bacterial adherence was abolished by heat or trypsin treatment of E. corrodens, and by trypsin treatment of epithelial cells.
• Neuraminidase treatment enhanced adherence, which was inhibited by EDTA and restored by Ca2+.
• D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine significantly inhibited adherence, while subsequent enzymatic treatments did not reduce it.

Conclusions:

• Eikenella corrodens adherence to buccal epithelial cells involves lectin-like bacterial surface proteins.
• Galactose-like receptors on epithelial cells are likely involved in mediating E. corrodens attachment.
• The findings provide insights into the initial stages of E. corrodens colonization and potential therapeutic targets.