Environmental regulation and colonization attributes of the long polar fimbriae (LPF) of Escherichia coli O157:H7

Alfredo G. Torres, Lorena Milflores-Flores, J. Gerardo Garcia-Gallegos, Shilpa D. Patel, Angus Best, Roberto M. La Ragione, Ygnacio Martinez-Laguna, Martin J. Woodward

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to colonize the intestinal epithelia is dependent on the expression of intimin and other adhesins. The chromosome of E. coli O157:H7 carries two loci encoding long polar fimbriae (LPF). These fimbriae mediate adherence to epithelial cells and are associated with colonization of the intestine. In order to increase our knowledge about the conditions controlling their expression and their role in colonization of an animal model, the environmental cues that promote expression of lpf genes and the role of E. coli O157:H7 LPF in intestinal colonization of lambs were investigated. We found that expression of lpf1 was regulated in response to growth phase, osmolarity, and pH; that lpf2 transcription was stimulated during late exponential growth and iron depletion; and that LPF impacts the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to persist in the intestine of infected 6-week-old lambs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)177-185
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Medical Microbiology
Volume297
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 11 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • E. coli O157:H7
  • LP fimbriae
  • Lamb model

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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