High susceptibility prevalence for F4+ and F18+Escherichia coli in Flemish pigs

F4 and/or F18 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (F4⁺/F18⁺ ETEC) are responsible for diarrhea while F18⁺ verotoxigenic E. coli (F18⁺ VTEC) cause edema disease in pigs. Both infections can result in severe economic losses, which are mainly the result of the medication, growth retardation and mortality. The susceptibility of piglets to these pathogens is determined by the presence of F4 and F18 receptors (F4R and F18R). Understanding the composition of the susceptibility phenotypes of pigs is useful for animal health and breeding management. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the F4 ETEC susceptibility phenotypes and F18⁺E. coli susceptibility among Flemish pig breeds by using the in vitro villous adhesion assay. In this study, seven F4 ETEC susceptibility phenotypes were found, namely A (F4_abR⁺,_acR⁺,_adR⁺; 59.16%), B (F4_abR⁺,_acR⁺,_adR^-; 6.28%), C (F4_abR⁺,_acR^-,_adR⁺; 2.62%), D (F4_abR^-,_acR^-,_adR⁺; 6.28%), E (F4_abR^-,_acR^-,_adR^-; 24.08%), F (F4_abR⁺,_acR^-,_adR^-; 1.05%) and G (F4_abR^-,_acR⁺,_adR^-; 0.52%). F4ab and F4ac E. coli showed a stronger degree of adhesion to the intestinal villi (53.40% and 52.88% strong adhesion, respectively), compared to F4ad E. coli (43.46% strong adhesion). Furthermore, the correlation between F4ac and F4ab adhesion was higher (r=0.78) than between F4ac and F4ad adhesion (r=0.41) and between F4ab and F4ad adhesion (r=0.57). For F18⁺E. coli susceptibility, seven out of 82 pigs were F18R negative (8.54%), but only two of these seven pigs (2.44%) were also negative for F4R. As such, the chance to identify a pig that is positive for a F4 ETEC variant or F18⁺E. coli is 97.56%. Therefore, significant economic losses will arise due to F4⁺ and/or F18⁺E. coli infections in the Flemish pig population due to the high susceptibility prevalence.

F4-related mutation and expression analysis of the aminopeptidase N gene in pigs

Intestinal infections with F4 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are worldwide an important cause of diarrhea in neonatal and recently weaned pigs. Adherence of F4 ETEC to the small intestine by binding to specific receptors is mediated by F4 fimbriae. Porcine aminopeptidase N (ANPEP) was recently identified as a new F4 receptor. In this study, 7 coding mutations and 1 mutation in the 3′ untranslated region (3' UTR)were identified in ANPEP by reverse transcriptase (RT–) PCR and sequencing using 3 F4 receptor-positive (F4R+) and 2 F4 receptor-negative (F4R–) pigs, which were F4 phenotyped based on the MUC4 TaqMan, oral immunization, and the in vitro villous adhesion assay. Three potential differential mutations (g.2615C > T, g.8214A > G, and g.16875C > G) identified by comparative analysis between the 3 F4R+ and 2 F4R– pigs were genotyped in 41 additional F4 phenotyped pigs. However, none of these 3 mutations could be associated with F4 ETEC susceptibility. In addition, the RT-PCR experiments did not reveal any differential expression or alternative splicing in the small intestine of F4R+ and F4R– pigs. In conclusion, we hypothesize that the difference in F4 binding to ANPEP is due to modifications in its carbohydrate moieties.

Erythrocyte and porcine intestinal glycosphingolipids recognized by F4 fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic F4-fimbriated Escherichia coli is associated with diarrheal disease in neonatal and postweaning pigs. The F4 fimbriae mediate attachment of the bacteria to the pig intestinal epithelium, enabling an efficient delivery of diarrhea-inducing enterotoxins to the target epithelial cells. There are three variants of F4 fimbriae designated F4ab, F4ac and F4ad, respectively, having different antigenic and adhesive properties. In the present study, the binding of isolated F4ab, F4ac and F4ad fimbriae, and F4ab/ac/ad-fimbriated E. coli, to glycosphingolipids from erythrocytes and from porcine small intestinal epithelium was examined, in order to get a comprehensive view of the F4-binding glycosphingolipids involved in F4-mediated hemagglutination and adhesion to the epithelial cells of porcine intestine. Specific interactions between the F4ab, F4ac and F4ad fimbriae and both acid and non-acid glycosphingolipids were obtained, and after isolation of binding-active glycosphingolipids and characterization by mass spectrometry and proton NMR, distinct carbohydrate binding patterns were defined for each fimbrial subtype. Two novel glycosphingolipids were isolated from chicken erythrocytes, and characterized as GalNAcα3GalNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer and GalNAcα3GalNAcß3Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer. These two compounds, and lactosylceramide (Galß4Glcß1Cer) with phytosphingosine and hydroxy fatty acid, were recognized by all three variants of F4 fimbriae. No binding of the F4ad fimbriae or F4ad-fimbriated E. coli to the porcine intestinal glycosphingolipids occurred. However, for F4ab and F4ac two distinct binding patterns were observed. The F4ac fimbriae and the F4ac-expressing E. coli selectively bound to galactosylceramide (Galß1Cer) with sphingosine and hydroxy 24:0 fatty acid, while the porcine intestinal glycosphingolipids recognized by F4ab fimbriae and the F4ab-fimbriated bacteria were characterized as galactosylceramide, sulfatide (SO(3)-3Galß1Cer), sulf-lactosylceramide (SO(3)-3Galß4Glcß1Cer), and globotriaosylceramide (Galα4Galß4Glcß1Cer) with phytosphingosine and hydroxy 24:0 fatty acid. Finally, the F4ad fimbriae and the F4ad-fimbriated E. coli, but not the F4ab or F4ac subtypes, bound to reference gangliotriaosylceramide (GalNAcß4Galß4Glcß1Cer), gangliotetraosylceramide (Galß3GalNAcß4Galß4Glcß1Cer), isoglobotriaosylceramide (Galα3Galß4Glcß1Cer), and neolactotetraosylceramide (Galß4GlcNAcß3Galß4Glcß1Cer).

Characterization of the binding specificity of K88ac and K88ad fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli by constructing K88ac/K88ad chimeric FaeG major subunits

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains expressing K88 (F4) fimbriae are the major cause of diarrhea in young pigs. Three antigenic variants of K88 fimbriae (K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad) have been identified among porcine ETEC strains. Each K88 fimbrial variant shows a unique pattern in binding to different receptors on porcine enterocytes. Such variant specificity in fimbrial binding is believed to be controlled by the major subunit (FaeG) of the K88 fimbriae, because the genes coding for the only other fimbrial subunit are identical among the three variants. Uniqueness in binding to host receptors may be responsible for differences in the virulence levels of porcine diarrhea disease caused by K88 ETEC strains. To better understand the relationships between the structure of FaeG proteins and fimbrial binding function, and perhaps virulence in disease, we constructed and expressed various K88ac/K88ad faeG gene chimeras and characterized the binding activity of each K88 chimeric fimbria. After verifying biosynthesis of the chimeric fimbriae, we examined their binding specificities in bacterial adherence assays by using porcine brush border vesicles that are specific to either the K88ac or K88ad fimbria. Results showed that each fimbria switched binding specificity to that of the reciprocal type when a peptide comprising amino acids 125 to 163 was exchanged with that of its counterpart. Substitutions of a single amino acid within this region negatively affected the binding capacity of each fimbria. These data indicate that the peptide including amino acids 125 to 163 of the FaeG subunit is essential for K88 variant-specific binding.

PCR assay for detection and differentiation of K88ab(1), K88ab(2), K88ac, and K88ad fimbrial adhesins in E. coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets

Primers were designed and prepared and conditions were determined for PCR detection and differentiation of enterotoxigenic E. coli bacterial strains isolated from diarrheic pigs. Primers K88/1 and K88/2 are 25 bp oligomers that correspond to a region of genes encoding one of serological variants of the K88 antigen (K88ab(1), K88ab(2), K88ac or K88ad). A positive result of PCR is an amplificate of 792 bp in size for K88ab and K88ad variant or 786 bp for K88ac variant. The individual serological variants of genes of the K88 antigen could be differentiated by cutting the obtained PCR amplificates by restriction endonucleases. The PCR analysis of 674 E. coli strains isolated from diarrheic pigs showed that 184 strains were K88 positive. By using restriction endonucleases the K88-positive strains were in 4 cases classified as K88ab variant, 180 as K88ac variant and none contained gene for the K88ad variant. Ninety-five % coincidence with serological examination using K88ab, K88ac and K88ad specific antibodies was shown.

Conserved regions in the sequence of the F4 (K88) fimbrial adhesin FaeG suggest a donor strand mechanism in F4 assembly

Oral immunization of newly weaned piglets with recombinant F4 (K88) fimbrial adhesin FaeG induces a F4-specific immune response, significantly reducing F4+ Escherichia coli excretion following challenge. In order to use FaeG subunits in an oral vaccine against F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli, it is necessary to determine the conservation of the adhesin subunit. Hereto, the faeG sequence was determined of 21 F4ac+ E. coli field isolates from piglets with diarrhoea and subsequently compared with these of the reference strain GIS26 and previously reported FaeG sequences from F4ab, F4ac and F4ad antigenic variant strains. The FaeG amino acid sequence was 96-100% homologous within each F4 serotype, but only 92 and 88% when the F4ab and F4ad antigenic variants were compared with the F4ac antigenic variant. Furthermore, the conserved regions of the adhesin suggest a donor strand mechanism in F4 fimbriae assembly as reported for type 1 and P pili. In conclusion, the results of the reported experiments support the usefulness FaeG in an oral subunit vaccine against F4+ E. coli infections or as a mucosal carrier since the adhesin is conserved among F4+ E. coli field isolates.

Inhibition of adhesion of Escherichia coli k88ac fimbria to its receptor, intestinal mucin-type glycoproteins, by a monoclonal antibody directed against a variable domain of the fimbria

Strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli that express K88 fimbriae are among the most common causes of diarrhea in young pigs. Adhesion of bacteria to receptors on intestinal epithelial cells, mediated by K88 fimbriae, is the initial step in the establishment of infection. Three antigenic variants of K88 fimbriae exist in nature: K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad. K88ac is the most prevalent and may be the only variant of significance in swine disease. Each K88 fimbrial variant is composed of multiple antigenic determinants. Some of these determinants are shared among the three variants and may be referred to as conserved epitopes, whereas others are unique to a specific variant and may be referred to as variable epitopes. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to either variable or conserved epitopes of K88ac fimbriae were produced. The specificity of each MAb was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and immunoblot assays. Fab fragments were prepared from these MAbs and were tested for their ability to block the binding of K88-positive bacteria and purified fimbriae to porcine enterocyte brush border vesicles and purified K88 receptors, respectively. The purified receptors were intestinal mucin-type sialoglycoproteins (IMTGP) isolated from porcine enterocytes (A. K. Erickson, D. R. Baker, B. T. Bosworth, T. A. Casey, D. A. Benfield, and D. H. Francis, Infect. Immun. 62:5404-5410, 1994). Fab fragments prepared from MAbs specific for variable epitopes blocked the binding of bacteria to brush borders and of fimbriae to IMTGP. However, those from MAbs specific for a conserved epitope did not. These observations indicate that the receptor-binding domain of a K88ac fimbria is contained, at least in part, within the antigenically variable epitopes of that fimbria. Epitope mapping for one of the MAbs, which recognizes a linear epitope on K88ac fimbriae, indicated that this MAb binds to the region from amino acid no. 64 to no. 107 on the major subunit of K88ac fimbriae.

K88 adhesins of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and their porcine enterocyte receptors

The three antigenic variants of the K88 fimbrial adhesin (K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) each exhibit unique specificity with regard to their hemagglutination characteristics. The variants are also unique in the specificity of their binding to the brush borders of enterocytes isolated from pigs with different genetic backgrounds. Diversity in enterocyte binding specificity suggests the existence of several K88 receptors, expressed individually or in various combinations on porcine enterocytes. Three candidate receptors have been identified that may explain the adhesion of K88 fimbrial variants to various porcine enterocytes. These receptors are an intestinal mucin-type sialoglycoprotein (IMTGP), an intestinal transferrin (GP74), and an intestinal neutral glycosphingolipid (IGLad). The IMTGP binds K88ab and K88ac, but not K88ad. The GP74 binds K88ab, but not K88ac or K88ad, and the IGLad binds K88ad, but not K88ab or K88ac. Each of the candidate receptors has been found in brush borders that are adhesive for the fimbriae that bind the respective receptor. They have not been found in brush borders that are not adhesive for those same fimbriae. The presence of IMTGP was highly correlated with susceptibility of neonatal gnotobiotic pigs to ETEC expressing K88ab or K88ac.

The F4 fimbrial antigen of Escherichia coli and its receptors

F4 or K88 fimbriae are long filamentous polymeric surface proteins of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), consisting of so-called major (FaeG) and minor (FaeF, FaeH, FaeC, and probably FaeI) subunits. Several serotypes of F4 have been described, namely F4ab, F4ac, and F4ad. The F4 fimbriae allow the microorganisms to adhere to F4-specific receptors present on brush borders of villous enterocytes and consequently to colonize the small intestine. Such ETEC infections are responsible for diarrhea and mortality in neonatal and recently weaned pigs. In this review emphasis is put on the morphology, genetic configuration, and biosynthesis of F4 fimbriae. Furthermore, the localization of the different a, b, c, and d epitopes, and the localization of the receptor binding site on the FaeG major subunit of F4 get ample attention. Subsequently, the F4-specific receptors are discussed. When the three variants of F4 (F4ab, F4ac, and F4ad) are considered, six porcine phenotypes can be distinguished with regard to the brush border adhesiveness: phenotype A binds all three variants, phenotype B binds F4ab and F4ac, phenotype C binds F4ab and F4ad, phenotype D binds F4ad, phenotype E binds none of the variants, and phenotype F binds F4ab. The following receptor model is described: receptor bcd is found in phenotype A pigs, receptor bc is found in phenotype A and B pigs, receptor d is found in phenotype C and D pigs, and receptor b is found in phenotype F pigs. Furthermore, the characterization of the different receptors is described in which the bcd receptor is proposed as collection of glycoproteins with molecular masses ranging from 45 to 70 kDa, the bc receptor as two glycoproteins with molecular masses of 210 an 240 kDa, respectively, the b receptor as a glycoprotein of 74 kDa, and the d receptor as a glycosphingolipid with unknown molecular mass. Finally, the importance of F4 fimbriae and their receptors in the study of mucosal immunity in pigs is discussed.

Isolation of K88 antigen variants (ab, ac, ad) from porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli belonging to different serotypes

Fimbriae isolation by means of thermal shock was applied to fifteen K88-positive (three K88ab, nine K88ac and three K88ad) Escherichia coli reference strains belonging to serotypes O8:K87, O32, O45, O138:K81, O141:K85, O147:K89, O149:K91, and O157, as well as to ten K88-positive enterotoxigenic strains isolated from porcine diarrhea in Spain, all of them belonging to the O149 serogroup. Fimbriae were removed from the bacterial cells by thermal shock at 60 C and then precipitated using ammonium sulfate. The final amount of K88 antigen and the purification degree were not related to the serogroup of the bacteria or to the antigen variant but were related to the buffer used for isolation. Phosphate buffer containing urea was shown to be more effective than Tris-HCl for isolation of K88 antigen. The molecular weights by SDS-PAGE for K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad were 28.5, 29.2, and 31.0 kDa, respectively. All enterotoxigenic E. coli strains isolated in Spain showed the K88ac variant.

Vaccines for preventing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections in farm animals

Fimbrial vaccines are routinely given parenterally to pregnant cattle, sheep and swine to protect suckling newborn calves, lambs and pigs against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections. Such vaccines are practical and effective because (1) most fatal ETEC infections in farm animals occur in the early neonatal period when the antibody titres in colostrum and milk are highest; (2) more than 90% of the ETEC in farm animals belong to a small family of fimbrial antigen types; (3) fimbriae consist of good protein antigens on the bacterial surface where they are readily accessible to antibody; (4) fimbriae are required for a critical step (adhesion-colonization) early in the pathogenesis of the disease. ETEC infections continue to be a significant clinical problem in farm animals in spite of extensive use of fimbriae-based vaccines. Definitive data on the efficacy of the commercial vaccines in field use are not available. The prevailing perception among animal health professionals is that the vaccines are effective, that the problem occurs chiefly among non-vaccinated animals, and that in some herds vaccination moves peak prevalence of disease from the first to the second or third week after birth, when mortality is lower. It has been suggested that extensive use of vaccines will rapidly select for the emergence of novel or previously low prevalence fimbrial antigen types. There is no evidence that this has happened after a decade of routine vaccine use in the United States. However, there is no active direct surveillance for such emergence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age and serotype dependent binding of K88 fimbriae to porcine intestinal receptors

The porcine small intestine contains several polypeptides that could function as receptors for K88-positive Escherichia coli. The mucus fraction contained three proteins with molecular weights of 25, 35 and 60 kDa respectively, which showed a high affinity for K88-positive E. coli cells, whereas brush borders contained a 16 kDa protein and a set of proteins ranging from 40-70 kDa. Depending on the K88 serotype tested, differences in binding to these proteins were observed. In particular, E. coli cells carrying K88ad fimbriae exhibited only a rather weak binding to mucus proteins. The influence of age of the pig on the presence of K88 receptors was also investigated. One-week-old and 35-days-old post-weaning piglets were shown to contain K88 receptors in their mucus while these receptors were hardly detectable in the mucus of 6-month-old pigs. The presence of receptors in the brush border fraction was shown to be independent of age. The binding of K88 fimbriae to mucus proteins was blocked using a lectin of Euonymus europeaus which specifically recognizes the Gal alpha(1-3)Gal sequence, indicating that this disaccharide forms a significant part of the receptor structure.

Deletion and duplication of specific sequences in the K88ab fimbrial subunit protein from porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Small, defined in-frame deletions and in-frame duplications of specific sequences were made within the faeG gene encoding the K88ab fimbrial subunit protein from porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. The cellular localization and proteolytic stability of the different mutated fimbrial subunit proteins were determined, and compared with those of the wild-type protein. Based upon these results, we predict a functional role of specific structures in the K88ab fimbrial subunit protein in subunit-subunit interactions as well as in interactions between FaeG and the other proteins encoded by the K88ab operon. The results obtained were further compared with results obtained from operon deletions, linker insertion mutagenesis and the current model for biogenesis of K88 fimbriae. One of the mutated fimbrial subunit genes was used to construct a secreted in-frame fusion between FaeG and a characterized epitope (lacking cysteine) from the Hepatitis B pre-S2 protein. Such fusion proteins might be useful in the design of recombinant vaccines.

K88 fimbriae as carriers of heterologous antigenic determinants

The K88 fimbriae of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli are strongly immunogenic antigens that can be used to evoke protective immunity. To find out whether these fimbriae can be used as carriers for foreign epitopes, a highly variable region present in the primary structure of the different K88 variants was replaced with five different heterologous epitopes to investigate to what extent these insertions affected the expression, assembly (biogenesis), stability and immunogenic properties of the resulting hybrid fimbriae. Amino acid residues 163-173, were replaced using site-directed in vitro mutagenesis and the hybrid fimbriae were tested for these aspects using ELISA, immunoelectronmicroscopy and immunoblotting. Replacement of this highly variable region did not affect the biosynthesis of fimbriae, although all mutations tested resulted in a reduced expression depending on the epitope inserted. Testing of the different hybrid fimbriae with a panel of monoclonal antibodies raised against the various K88 serotypes K88ab, K88ac and K88ad indicated that replacement of amino acid sequence 163-173 did not affect conserved or K88ab specific epitopes but the K88ac and K88ad specific conformation was lost. Immunization with hybrid fimbriae raises antibodies specific for the inserted heterologous epitopes.

Nucleotide sequence of the structural gene, tcpA, for a major pilin subunit of Vibrio cholerae

The toxin co-regulated pilus (Tcp) of Vibrio cholerae appears to be a major protective antigen. By cosmid cloning we have isolated a number of clones capable of converting Tcp- El Tor strains of V. cholerae to Tcp+. A synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe based upon the N-terminal amino acid sequence of TcpA, has been used to localize the structural gene within the cosmid clones. Using suitable subclones, the nucleotide sequence of the tcpA gene has been determined. The gene encodes a 23.3-kDa pre-protein which in its mature form has a size of 20.3 kDa. The N-terminal leader peptide or signal sequence is atypical and does not conform with the usual rules of such sequences. The TcpA protein shows some similarities to the major pilins of the methylated phenylalanine type or type-4 pili from other bacteria; however, it is sufficiently different that it may represent a new class.

Purification and N-terminal sequence of the alpha subunit of antigen 43, a unique protein complex associated with the outer membrane of Escherichia coli

Antigen 43 has been identified as a unique protein complex in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. The complex contains two different polypeptides, alpha (Mr, 60,000) and beta (Mr, 53,000), in equal stoichiometry (P. Owen, P. Caffrey, and L.-G. Josefsson, J. Bacteriol. 169:3770-3777, 1987). The alpha subunit was released in a water-soluble form upon heating of outer membranes to 60 degrees C and was purified to apparent homogeneity by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The purified protein was acidic (pI 4.6) and had a polarity of 49.2%. The N-terminal sequence showed homology with the N termini of certain enterobacterial fimbrial subunits. In addition, antigen 43 underwent a reversible phase variation similar to that of type 1 fimbriae. By use of subunit-specific antisera, it was shown that the purified alpha subunit was capable of reassociating with the beta polypeptide. However, electron microscopic examination indicated that antigen 43 does not form a recognizable surface structure. The available evidence supports the view that antigen 43 is a complex consisting of a peripheral membrane protein (alpha) anchored to a subunit (beta) that is integral to the outer membrane.

Cloning of DNA sequences encoding foreign peptides and their expression in the K88 pili

A genetic system that allows the cloning of a peptide-coding sequence in the Escherichia coli K88ac and K88ad pilin genes and their expression as recombinant pili has been constructed. Two insertion vectors were created by subcloning the pilin genes in a pBR322 plasmid and replacing the coding sequence of two nonconserved clusters by a linker. The K88ac helper genes were subcloned in the compatible pACYC184 plasmid, and expression of pili by bacteria carrying both plasmids occurred by complementation. Two peptide-coding sequences of the influenza hemagglutinin were cloned in both insertion vectors, and recombinant pilins were shown to be assembled in pili. One recombinant pilus was shown to elicit antibodies against the synthetic peptide in immunized rats. The somatostatin-coding sequence was cloned in both vectors and led in one case to detectable pilus production. The fused somatostatin was shown to be recognized by specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies.

Functional and structural homology among regulatory cistrons of pili-adhesin determinants in Escherichia coli

Expression of the digalactoside-binding Pap pili involves two trans-acting regulatory genes, papB and papI. Using pap-lac operon fusions and DNA hybridization probes derived from pap DNA we tested whether or not other pili-adhesin determinants from different Escherichia coli strains encode homologs to the pap regulatory genes. Digalactoside-specific clones of serotypes F72 and F11 complemented papB and papI mutants of the Pap (serotype F13) clone and DNA hybridization analysis showed that the clones are homologous in the DNA sequences encoding the two regulatory genes. Similar results were obtained with an S-pili determinant which mediates binding to sialic acid-containing receptors and the findings suggest that the regulatory regions may be more conserved than other genes in different pili-adhesin gene clusters. Determinants for type 1-pili (mannose-specific binding) and for pili associated with enterotoxigenic E. coli (K88, K99, CFAI, CFAII) did not appear to contain DNA sequences homologous to papB or papI. E. coli strain J96, which was the origin of the pap DNA, was found to carry two additional copies of papB-papI homologous sequences in the chromosome. In strains expressing more than one kind of pili the trans-active gene products thereby may allow for regulatory interaction between separate pili-adhesin gene systems.

Role of phenylalanine 150 in the receptor-binding domain of the K88 fibrillar subunit

Recently, we reported the isolation of three peptides, Ile-83-Ala-Phe-85, Ser-148-Leu-Phe-150, and Ala-156-Ile-Phe-158, derived from the K88 fibrillar subunit and found to inhibit the binding of K88 fibrillae to cavia erythrocytes or pig intestinal epithelial cells (A. A. C. Jacobs, J. Venema, R. Leeven, H. van Pelt-Heerschap, and F. K. de Graaf, J. Bacteriol. 169:735-741, 1987). The gene encoding the K88 fibrillar adhesin was modified by oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis such that each of the phenylalanine residues at positions 85, 150, and 158 were replaced by serine. Replacement of phenylalanine 85 or 158 had no apparent effect on the biosynthesis of the fibrillae or on their adhesive capacity. In contrast, substitution of phenylalanine 150 with serine resulted in a dramatic decrease in adhesive capacity of the K88 fibrillae. Apparently, phenylalanine 150 plays an essential role in the interaction of the adhesin with receptor molecules present on eucaryotic cells.

K88 fimbrial antigens: identification of antigenic determinants by the use of synthetic peptides

Identification of antigenic determinants of K88 fimbriae was approached by immunization of rabbits with BSA conjugated synthetic peptides mimicking either a predicted common determinant or type specific determinants. Anti-peptide sera were assayed by ELISA and sandwich ELISA. It was shown that sera raised against the peptides corresponding to the K88ab and K88ad variants of the 213-219 segment were able to recognize the corresponding antigenic variant of the native fimbriae whereas the rest of the antisera did not to any significant degree react with intact fimbriae. In Western blots all anti-peptide sera were able to recognize the K88 proteins. Similarly in ELISA assays all raised sera showed affinity to denatured K88 proteins.

Evolutionary origin of pathogenic determinants in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae O1

Three families of the evolutionarily related pathogenic determinants in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae O1, a family of cholera enterotoxin (CT) and heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) including CT, LTh, and LTp, a family of heat-stable enterotoxin I (STI) including STIa and STIb, and a family of K88 enteroadhesion fimbriae including K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad were analyzed for synonymous (silent) nucleotide substitutions by using the gene nucleotide sequences of earlier reports and the LTp gene nucleotide sequence presented in this paper. The data suggested that the divergences between LT and CT and between STIa and STIb occurred in the remote past, whereas those between LTh and LTp and between members of the K88 family occurred very recently. We concluded that the LT gene is a foreign gene that has been acquired by E. coli to form an enteropathogen. This provides evolutionary evidence of species-to-species transfer of pathogenic determinants in procaryotes.

Inhibition of adhesive activity of K88 fibrillae by peptides derived from the K88 adhesin

A cyanogen bromide fragment derived from the K88ab adhesin inhibited the hemagglutinating activity of K88 fibrillae. Smaller fragments which inhibited the adherence of K88 fibrillae to erythrocytes or to intestinal epithelial cells were obtained by digestion of K88ab fibrillae with alpha-chymotrypsin. Active peptides were isolated from the digestion mixture and identified as Ser-Leu-Phe and Ala-Ile-Phe. Both tripeptides correspond to the peptide stretches Ser-148-Leu-Phe-150 and Ala-156-Ile-Phe-158, respectively, which are part of conserved regions in the primary structure of the K88 variants ab, ac, and ad. The isolated tripeptides inhibited the hemagglutinating activity of purified K88 fibrillae in the 1 to 5 microM range, while adherence of the fibrillae to intestinal epithelial cell brush borders was inhibited in the 10 to 50 microM range. Furthermore, the tripeptides were capable of eluting attached bacteria from agglutinated erythrocytes. The inhibitory activity of the isolated peptides was confirmed by testing various synthetic peptides for their ability to inhibit the interaction of the different K88 variants with various species of erythrocytes. The significance of these findings for the localization of the receptor-binding domain is discussed.

Monoclonal antibodies to K88ab, K88ac and K88ad fimbriae from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

K88ab, K88ac and K88ad fimbriae derived from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains involved in porcine colibacillosis were used to immunize BALB/c mice. Several hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the three intact K88 fimbriae subtypes were produced by fusion of spleen cells from these mice with P3-X63-Ag8.653 myeloma cells. Hybridomas producing MAbs with affinity for all 3 E. coli K88 subtypes proved to be the most frequent (248/303), but subtype-specific monoclonals (39/303) as well as MAbs reacting with two but not with the third subtype (16/303) were also produced. The antibody-containing culture supernatants from 71 selected hybridomas were characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titrations, ELISA inhibition experiments and further examined by immunoblotting. Derivation of several MAbs specific for one of the E. coli fimbrial antigens, K88ab, K88ac or K88ad, was of interest in view of the extensive sequence homology in their primary structures. Specific binding of the MAbs to fimbriae on the surface of K88-positive E. coli strains was indicated by agglutination tests and visualized by immuno gold labeling and electron microscopy. The present MAbs against K88 fimbriae have potential veterinary applications for diagnosis and treatment of porcine colibacillosis. Preliminary results indicate the therapeutic value of oral administration of murine ascitic fluid containing anti-K88 MAbs to piglets experimentally infected with E. coli K88.

Effect of chemical modifications on the K99 and K88ab fibrillar adhesins of Escherichia coli

The role of specific amino acid residues of the K88ab and K99 fibrillar adhesins in the binding to erythrocytes and antibodies has been studied by chemical modification. It appeared that: (1) The integrity of the single disulfide bridge in the K99 subunits is essential for the binding of the fibrillae to the glycolipid receptors, but not for the recognition and binding of specific anti-K99 antibodies. (2) Modification of one lysine residue per subunit with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzoate results in the loss of the adhesive capacity of K99 fibrillae. Lysine residue are not important for the adhesive activity of K88ab fibrillae. Three or five lysine residues per subunit, respectively, can be modified without an effect on the immunological properties of the K99 and K88ab fibrillae. (3) Limited reaction of K99 and K88ab fibrillae with 2,3-butanedione destroys the adhesive activity of both fibrillae. This inactivation corresponds with the loss of one (K99) or two (K88ab) arginine residues per subunit. Ultimately, in K99 three, and in K88ab four, arginine residues per subunit can be modified without affecting the binding of specific antibodies. (4) Modification of five out of the nine carboxyl groups contained in the K99 subunit suppresses the recognition of specific anti-K99 antibodies, but carboxylates are not important for the adhesive activity of K99 fibrillae. Modification of two additional carboxylates in K99 results in an insoluble product. (5) Tyrosine residues are most probably not present in the adhesive or antigenic sites of K99 fibrillae. Modification of six out of the ten tyrosine residues in the K88ab subunit results in a decrease in adhesive activity but has no effect on the reaction with anti-K88ab antibodies.

Nucleotide sequences of four variants of the K88 gene of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

The nucleotide sequences of four variants of the Escherichia coli K88 antigen gene, K88ab1, K88ab2, K88ac, and K88ad, have been determined. The K88ab2 and K88ac sequences have not been reported previously. The K88ab1 sequence is very similar to that determined by other workers, but the K88ad sequence differs considerably from that described in a previous report. Comparison of the amino acid sequences inferred from the gene sequences revealed certain clusters of amino acid substitutions which have been correlated with areas of potential antigenicity in the mature proteins.