Adherence of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae to Cells and Substrates of the Airway Is Differentially Regulated by Individual ModA Phasevarions

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04093-22
• Publication Date: 2022-12-13T09:03:02Z
• Authors: Preeti Garai; John M. Atack; Brandon M. Wills; Michael P. Jennings; Lauren O. Bakaletz; Kenneth L. Brockman
• Keywords: Mucociliary clearance

Adherence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) to the host airway is an essential initial step for asymptomatic colonization nasopharynx, as well development disease. NTHi relies on strict regulation multiple adhesins adherence substrates encountered in airway. encode a phase-variable cytoplasmic DNA methyltransferase, ModA, that regulates expression genes; phasevarion (phase-variable regulon). Multiple modA alleles are present NTHi, which different methylate target, and each controls set genes. However, role ModA phasevarions regulating not understood. This study therefore sought investigate four most prevalent Four clinical isolates with unique were tested this study. The mucus, middle ear epithelial cells, vitronectin was regulated substrate-specific manner dependent allele encoded. Protein E P4 found contribute ModA-regulated distinct substrates. A better understanding by will allow identification populations at site disease within facilitate more directed vaccines therapeutics. IMPORTANCE Nontypeable predominant pathogen human causes respiratory infections such otitis media (OM) exacerbations lungs patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD). Due lack licensed vaccine against emergence antibiotic-resistant strains, it extremely challenging target treatment. considered potential candidates or other therapeutic approaches. play rapid adaptation environmental stress conditions. addressed specific tract. findings improve our airway, may further be used enhance antigens targets NTHi.