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Binding of Haemophilus influenzae to purified mucins from the human respiratory tract

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Author

Summary, in English

Mucins are high-molecular-weight glycoproteins and major constituents of the mucus layer which covers the airway surface. We have studied the interactions between bacteria, mucins, and epithelial cells from the human respiratory tract. Nontypeable strains of Haemophilus influenzae were found to bind to purified airway mucins in suspension and on solid phase. Mucins in suspension inhibited the attachment of these strains to nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, while mucin coating of the cells enhanced their binding. In contrast, strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and encapsulated and other nontypeable H. influenzae strains failed to interact with mucins. These H. influenzae strains used other strategies for adherence to epithelial cells. The type b strain 770235 attached via fimbriae but also expressed a subcapsular adhesin that was detected in a capsule- and fimbria-defective mutant. Mucin pretreatment of these bacteria did not inhibit adherence, but mucin pretreatment of epithelial cells inhibited adherence, probably by shielding of the receptors for these adhesins. Non-mucin-binding nontypeable and encapsulated H. influenzae strains would, therefore, adhere only after disruption of the mucus layer and exposure of cellular receptors. Differences in tissue toxicity and invasiveness among H. influenzae strains may also be influenced by the mucin interactions of the strains.

Publishing year

1995-07

Language

English

Pages

92-2485

Publication/Series

Infection and Immunity

Volume

63

Issue

7

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

American Society for Microbiology

Topic

  • Microbiology in the medical area

Keywords

  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Epithelium
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Humans
  • Mucins
  • Nasopharynx
  • Respiratory System
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae

Status

Published

Research group

  • Diabetic Complications
  • Experimental Infection Medicine, Malmö

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0019-9567