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Aggregation Factor as an Inhibitor of Bacterial Binding to Gut Mucosa

  • Host Microbe Interactions
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Abstract

Modern research in the area of probiotics is largely devoted to discovering factors that promote the adherence of probiotic candidates to host mucosal surfaces. The aim of the present study was to test the role of aggregation factor (AggL) and mucin-binding protein (MbpL) from Lactococcus sp. in adhesion to gastrointestinal mucosa. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments in rats were used to assess the adhesive potential of these two proteins expressed in heterologous host Lactobacillus salivarius BGHO1. Although there was no influence of MbpL protein expression on BGHO1 adhesion to gut mucosa, expression of AggL had a negative effect on BGHO1 binding to ileal and colonic rat mucosa, as well as to human HT29-MTX cells and porcine gastric mucin in vitro. Because AggL did not decrease the adhesion of bacteria to intestinal fragments in ex vivo tests, where peristaltic simulation conditions were missing, we propose that intestinal motility could be a crucial force for eliminating aggregation-factor-bearing bacteria. Bacterial strains expressing aggregation factor could facilitate the removal of pathogens through the coaggregation mechanism, thus balancing gut microbial ecosystems in people affected by intestinal bacteria overgrowth.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, grant No. 173019.

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None declared

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444/a, P.O. Box 23, 11010, Belgrade, Serbia

    Jovanka Lukic, Ivana Strahinic, Milica Nikolic, Maja Tolinacki, Milan Kojic & Jelena Begovic

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia

    Marina Milenkovic

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  1. Jovanka Lukic
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  2. Ivana Strahinic
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  3. Marina Milenkovic
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  6. Milan Kojic
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  7. Jelena Begovic
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Correspondence to Jelena Begovic.

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Lukic, J., Strahinic, I., Milenkovic, M. et al. Aggregation Factor as an Inhibitor of Bacterial Binding to Gut Mucosa. Microb Ecol 68, 633–644 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-014-0426-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-014-0426-1

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