Caspr1 is a host receptor for meningitis-causing Escherichia coli

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04637-3
• Publication Date: 2018-06-06T11:43:09Z
• Authors: Wei-Dong Zhao; Dong-Xin Liu; Jia-Yi Wei; Zi-Wei Miao; Ke Zhang; Zheng-Kang Su; Xue-Wei Zhang; Qiang Li; Wen-Gang Fang; Xiao-Xue Qin; De-Shu Shang; Bo Li; Qing-Chang Li; Liu Cao; Kwang Sik Kim; Yu-Hua Chen
• Keywords: Internalization; Penetration (warfare)

Escherichia coli is the leading cause of neonatal Gram-negative bacterial meningitis, but pathogenesis E. meningitis remains elusive. penetration blood-brain barrier (BBB) critical step for development meningitis. Here, we identify Caspr1, a single-pass transmembrane protein, as host receptor virulence factor IbeA to facilitate BBB penetration. Genetic ablation endothelial Caspr1 and blocking IbeA-Caspr1 interaction effectively prevent into brain during in rodents. interacts with extracellular domain activate focal adhesion kinase signaling causing internalization cells BBB. can invade hippocampal neurons apoptosis dependent on interaction. Our results indicate that exploits resulting might be useful target prevention or therapy