Uropathogenic Escherichia coli: molecular mechanisms of adherence

Ablation of the Tamm-Horsfall protein gene increases susceptibility of mice to bladder colonization by type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli

The adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to the urothelial surface of the bladder is a prerequisite for the establishment of bladder infections. This adhesion process relies on E. coli adhesins and their cognate urothelial receptors, and it also is influenced by an intricate array of defense mechanisms of the urinary system. In this study, we examined the in vivo role of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), the most abundant urinary protein, in innate urinary defense. We genetically ablated the mouse THP gene and found that THP deficiency predisposes mice to bladder infections by type 1-fimbriated E. coli. Inoculation of too few type 1-fimbriated E. coli to colonize wild-type mice caused significant bladder colonization in THP-knockout mice. In contrast, THP deficiency did not enhance the ability of P-fimbriated E. coli to colonize the bladder. Our results provide the first in vivo evidence indicating that under physiological conditions, the mannosylated THP can serve as an effective soluble "receptor," binding to the type 1-fimbriated E. coli and competitively inhibiting them from adhering to the uroplakin Ia receptors present on the urothelial surface. These results suggest that potential THP defects, either quantitative or qualitative, could predispose the urinary bladder to bacterial infections. The generation of THP-deficient mice established the role of THP as a first line of urinary defense and should help elucidate other potential functions of this major protein in urinary tract physiology and diseases.

Tamm-Horsfall protein binds to type 1 fimbriated Escherichia coli and prevents E. coli from binding to uroplakin Ia and Ib receptors

The adherence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to the urothelial surface, a critical first step in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection (UTI), is controlled by three key elements: E. coli adhesins, host receptors, and host defense mechanisms. Although much has been learned about E. coli adhesins and their urothelial receptors, little is known about the role of host defense in the adherence process. Here we show that Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) is the principal urinary protein that binds specifically to type 1 fimbriated E. coli, the main cause of UTI. The binding was highly specific and saturable and could be inhibited by d-mannose and abolished by endoglycosidase H treatment of THP, suggesting that the binding is mediated by the high-mannose moieties of THP. It is species-conserved, occurring in both human and mouse THPs. In addition, the binding to THP was much greater with an E. coli strain bearing a phenotypic variant of the type 1 fimbrial FimH adhesin characteristic of those prevalent in UTI isolates compared with the one prevalent in isolates from the large intestine of healthy individuals. Finally, a physiological concentration of THP completely abolished the binding of type 1 fimbriated E. coli to uroplakins Ia and Ib, two putative urothelial receptors for type 1 fimbriae. These results establish, on a functional level, that THP contains conserved high-mannose moieties capable of specific interaction with type 1 fimbriae and strongly suggest that this major urinary glycoprotein is a key urinary anti-adherence factor serving to prevent type 1 fimbriated E. coli from binding to the urothelial receptors.

In vitro binding of type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroplakins Ia and Ib: relation to urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections, caused mainly by Escherichia coli, are among the most common infectious diseases. Most isolates of the uropathogenic E.coli can express type 1 and P fimbriae containing adhesins that recognize cell receptors. While P fimbriae recognize kidney glycolipid receptors and are involved in peyelonephritis, the urothelial for type 1 fimbriae were not identified. We show that type 1-fimbriated E. coli recognize uroplakins Ia and Ib, two major glycoproteins of urothelial apical plaques. Anchorage of E. coli to urothelial surface via type 1 fimbriae-uroplakin I interactions may play a role in its bladder colonization and eventual ascent through the ureters, against urine flow, to invade the kidneys.

Carbohydrate specificity of the Escherichia coli P-pilus papG protein is mediated by its N-terminal part

The adherence of pyelonephritic Escherichia coli isolates to mammalian host cells is mediated by the P-pili structures on the bacterial surface. The protein constituting the distal part of the pili structure, papG, interacts with glycan receptors on the host cell. Variation in specificity for different glycoconjugates between the isolates, that may reflect variation in host tropism, has been correlated to three different classes of papG. Truncated variants of the class I, II and III papG adhesins were produced as fusion protein in E. coli and analysed for carbohydrate binding. The results showed that both carbohydrate binding and specificity of the papG adhesin resided in a linear part of the N-terminus of the protein.