Collagen binding of Bifidobacterium adolescentis

In this study, 13 bifidobacterial strains were tested for their ability to adhere to immobilized extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Only two Bifidobacterium adolescentis strains adhered to immobilized type I and type V collagens, but not to laminin, fibronectin, and type III and IV collagens. The adhesion of B. adolescentis BB-119 to type V collagen was inhibited by type I and V collagens and gelatin, and was diminished after protease treatment of the cells. Periodate treatment of immobilized collagen and the presence of galactose inhibited the adhesion of strain BB-119 to type V collagen. Two cell surface proteins with molecular masses of 36 kDa and 52 kDa from strain BB-119 were found to bind to horseradish peroxidase-conjugated type V collagen by ligand blotting. We concluded that B. adolescentis BB-119 binds to type V collagen at galactose chains as target via these two cell surface proteins by their lectin-like activity.