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Cell surface appendages of lactobacilli

J A McGroarty1

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|December 15, 1994
PubMed
Summary
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Most vaginal lactobacillus isolates possess flagella and fimbriae. Fimbriation significantly enhances lactobacillus adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells, suggesting a role in colonization.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Vaginal Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Lactobacillus species are dominant in the healthy vaginal microbiota.
  • The adherence mechanisms of vaginal lactobacilli to epithelial cells are not fully understood.
  • Surface structures like flagella and fimbriae may play a role in bacterial adhesion and colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of flagella and fimbriae in vaginal Lactobacillus isolates.
  • To determine the effect of fimbriation on the in vitro adhesion of lactobacilli to vaginal epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Negative staining with 1% phosphotungstic acid.
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for ultrastructural analysis.
  • Culturing lactobacilli on solid and liquid MRS medium under anaerobic conditions.

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  • In vitro adhesion assays using vaginal epithelial cells.

    • Main Results:

    • Flagella (12 nm diameter, up to 12 µm long) were observed in 14 of 17 vaginal Lactobacillus isolates.
    • Fimbriae (3.5 nm diameter, 0.1–1.0 µm long) were present on 15 of 17 isolates, with maximal production on solid medium under anaerobic conditions.
    • Fimbriation significantly increased the adhesion of lactobacilli to vaginal epithelial cells in vitro.

    Conclusions:

    • Vaginal Lactobacillus isolates frequently possess both flagella and fimbriae.
    • Fimbriae are critical for enhancing Lactobacillus adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells.
    • These findings suggest a role for fimbriae in the colonization and persistence of lactobacilli in the vaginal environment.