title: Morphological and immunocytochemical analysis of Escherichia coli-specific surface antigens in wildtype strains and in recombinant Vibrio cholerae.
abstract: Adhesion is the first step in the pathogenesis of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections. The genes encoding the most prevalent adhesion factors CFA/I, CS3 and CS6 were cloned into Vibrio cholerae strain CVD 103-HgR and expression of fimbriae was investigated in wildtype and recombinant strains by transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with immunolabelling and negative staining. Negative staining was effective in revealing CFA/I and CS3, but not CS6. Although morphology of fimbriae differed between wildtype and recombinant strains, corresponding surface antigens were recognized by specific antibodies. The present study provides evidence that ETEC-specific fimbriae can adequately be expressed in an attenuated V. cholerae vaccine strain and that immunoelectron microscopy is a critical tool to validate the surface expression of antigens in view of their possible suitability for recombinant vaccines.
authors: Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Berne, P.O. Box 8466, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Lüdi
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Frey
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Favre
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Viret
authors: Verena
authors: V
authors: Ziethlow
authors: Kathrin Kühni
authors: KK
authors: Boghenbor
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Stoffel
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005838:Genotype; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004274:DNA, Recombinant