Characterization of O-glycan moieties of the 210 and 240 kDa pig intestinal receptors for Escherichia coli K88ac fimbriae

The porcine brush border glycoproteins of 210 and 240 kDa, recognized by Escherichia coli K88ac fimbriae, contained O-linked oligosaccharides. The carbohydrate moieties were analysed by deglycosylation, lectin-binding and agglutination assays. Neuraminidase susceptibility of the 210 kDa receptor suggested that a sialoglycoprotein may act as receptor for the K88ac fimbriae. In contrast, K88ac-binding to the 210 and 240 kDa glycoproteins totally disappeared after fucosidase treatment, indicating the critical role of fucosyl residues at the receptor sites. Among the oligosaccharides extracted from these O-glycoproteins, K88ac fimbriae showed affinity for neutral sugar chains while sialylated species were not recognized. Our data suggest a possible role of the polypeptide backbone in the definition of receptor sites. Specific agglutination by K88ac-fimbriated E. coli of the erythrocytes of the hamster Mesocricetus auratus was inhibited by the anti-T peanut lectin and the lectins of Datura stramonium, Aleuria aurantia and Maackia amurensis. Hence, we propose that Gal beta 1-3GalNAc- and Fuc alpha 1-2Gal beta 1-3/4GlcNAc- are the main sequences mediating K88ac fimbrial binding. These structures were not detected in the non-adhesive piglet brush borders characterized by a high carbohydrate content. Additional oligosaccharides probably masked the underlying receptor structures.

Adhesion of K99 fimbriated Escherichia coli to pig intestinal epithelium: correlation of adhesive and non-adhesive phenotypes with the sialoglycolipid content

Evidence for the existence of two phenotypes of piglets born to experimental herds was obtained based on the susceptibility of intestinal brush borders to adhesion of K99-positive Escherichia coli. The enterocytes of the K99-receptive piglets displayed a characteristic sialoglycolipid pattern, with a higher content of the monosialoglycolipids II3NeuGc-LacCer (GM3Gc), IV3NeuGc-nLcOse4Cer (SPGGc) and IV3NeuAc-nLcOse4Cer (SPG) and the oligosialogangliosides IV3NeuAc,II3NeuAc-GgOse4Cer (GD1a), II3(NeuAc)2-GgOse3Cer (GD2), II3(NeuAc)2-GgOse4Cer (GD1b) and IV3NeuAc,II3(NeuAc)2-GgOse4Cer (GT1b) when compared to the gangliosides of non-receptive piglets. The gangliosides from enterocytes of the non-receptive piglets were mainly the monosialogangliosides II3NeuAc-GgOse3Cer (GM2) and II3NeuAc-LacCer (GM3), only traces of the other sialoglycolipids being detected. Adhesion of 14C-labelled K99-positive E. coli cells to the piglet small intestinal sialoglycolipids, as tested by the thin-layer chromatogram overlay assay, revealed that the receptive enterocyte membrane was richer in glycolipids containing K99 receptor structures than the non-receptive enterocyte. Adhesion of K99-positive E. coli correlated with the degree of sialylation of the brush border glycolipids.