Effects of Psa and F1 on the Adhesive and Invasive Interactions ofYersinia pestiswith Human Respiratory Tract Epithelial Cells

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.00612-06
• Publication Date: 2006-09-20T23:06:35Z
• Authors: Fengzhi Liu; Huaiqing Chen; Estela M. Galván; Melissa A. Lasaro; Dieter M. Schifferli
• Keywords: Yersinia pestis; Respiratory tract

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, expresses Psa fimbriae (pH 6 antigen) in vitro and vivo. To evaluate potential virulence properties for pneumonic an Escherichia coli strain expressing was engineered shown to adhere three types human respiratory tract epithelial cells. binding specificity confirmed with Psa-coated polystyrene beads by inhibition assays. Individual Y. pestis cells were found be able express capsular antigen fraction 1 (F1) concomitantly on their surface when analyzed flow cytometry. better separate effects F1 adhesive invasive isogenic Deltacaf (F1 genes), Deltapsa, Deltapsa mutants constructed studied The mutant bound significantly less all compared parental wild-type mutants, indicating that acts as adhesin An antiadhesive effect clearly detectable only absence Psa, underlining dominance Psa+ phenotype. Both inhibited intracellular uptake pestis. Thus, inhibits bacterial inhibiting adhesion cells, whereas seems block interacting a host receptor doesn't direct internalization. double invaded cell well, revealing presence undefined adhesin(s) invasin(s).