Chaperone-usher pathway pili are a widespread family of extracellular, Gram-negative bacterial fibers with important roles in bacterial pathogenesis. Type 1 pili are important virulence factors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which cause the majority of urinary tract infections (UTI). FimH, the type 1 adhesin, binds mannosylated glycoproteins on the surface of human and murine bladder...

FimH, the adhesive subunit of type 1 fimbriae expressed by many enterobacteria, mediates mannose-sensitive binding to target host cells. At the same time, fine receptor-structural specificities of FimH from different species can be substantially different, affecting bacterial tissue tropism and, as a result, the role of the particular fimbriae in pathogenesis. In this study, we compared functio...

The binding of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to the urothelial surface is a crucial initial event for establishing urinary tract infection because it allows the bacteria to gain a foothold on the urothelial surface, thus preventing them from being removed by micturition. In addition, it triggers bacterial invasion as well as host urothelial defense. This binding is mediated by the FimH adhesin...

Type 1 fimbriae are one of the most important factors of Escherichia coli adaptation to different niches in the host. Our study indicated that the genetic marker--fimH gene occurred commonly in commensal E. coli derived from healthy humans but expression of the type 1 fimbriae was not observed. Identification of fim structural subunit genes (fimA-fimH) and recombinase fimE and fimB genes showed...

The capsular polysaccharide and type 1 fimbriae are two of the major surface-located virulence properties associated with the pathogenesis of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The capsule is an elaborate polysaccharide matrix that encases the entire cell surface and provides resistance against many host defense mechanisms. In contrast, type 1 fimbriae are thin adhesive thread-like surface organelles that ...

In this study we sequenced and analysed the fimH and fimA genes of 24 avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolates, in order to investigate their possible conserved nature. Additional parameters (serotype, presence of aerobactin receptor, expression of F1 pili and virulence for chickens) were investigated to look for correlations with the obtained sequences. The sequence analysis demonstra...

BACKGROUND Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of main health problems caused by many microorganisms, including uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC strains are the most frequent pathogens responsible for 85% and 50% of community and hospital acquired UTIs, respectively. UPEC strains have special virulence factors, including type 1 fimbriae, which can result in worsening of UTIs. O...

The FimH subunit of type 1-fimbriated Escherichia coli has been implicated as an important determinant of bacterial adherence and colonization of the urinary tract. Here, we sought to localize the functionally important domain(s) within the FimH molecule and to determine if antibodies against this domain would block adherence of type 1-fimbriated E. coli to the bladder mucosa in situ and in viv...

UNLABELLED Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the primary cause of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs). UPEC bind the bladder using type 1 pili, encoded by the fim operon in nearly all E. coli. Assembled type 1 pili terminate in the FimH adhesin, which specifically binds to mannosylated glycoproteins on the bladder epithelium. Expression of type 1 pili is regulated in part ...

Inhibiting antibodies targeting receptor-binding pockets in proteins is a major focus in the development of vaccines and in antibody-based therapeutic strategies. Here, by using a common mannose-specific fimbrial adhesin of Escherichia coli, FimH, we demonstrate that locking the adhesin in a low-binding conformation induces the production of binding pocket-specific, adhesion-inhibiting antibodi...