P-fimbriae in the presence of anti-PapA antibodies: new insight of antibodies action against pathogens.

ABSTRACT: Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli establish urinary tract infections by attaching to host epithelial cells using adhesive organelles called fimbriae. Fimbriae are helix-like structures with a remarkable adaptability, offering safeguarding for bacteria exposed to changing fluid forces in the urinary tract. We challenged this property of P-fimbriae by cross-linking their subunits with shaft-specific antibodies and measuring the corresponding force response at a single organelle level. Our data show compromised extension and rewinding of P-fimbriae in the presence of antibodies and reduced fimbrial elasticity, which are important properties of fimbriae contributing to the ability of bacteria to cause urinary tract infections. The reduced elasticity found by cross-linking fimbrial subu

SUBMITTER: Mortezaei N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3848023 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature