Blocking of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectins by human milk glycans

Efrat Lesman-Movshovich, Batia Lerrer, Nechama Gilboa-Garber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a D-galactophilic (PA-IL) lectin and another lectin (PA-IIL) that binds L-fucose > D-arabinose > D-mannose in close association with its host-attacking factors. These lectins contribute to the virulence of P. aeruginosa by their involvement in the production, adhesion, and pathogenic effects of its biofilm on host cells. Therefore, they are considered targets for anti-Pseudomonas therapy. The present study compares their blocking by human milk samples with that of the plant lectin Con A. It demonstrates that human milk inhibits the hemagglutinating activities of the three lectins, with PA-IIL much more strongly inhibited than PA-IL or Con A. Using these lectins, Western blots of the milk samples accord with ithe hemagglutination inhibition data and disclose the distribution of the human milk glycoproteins that inhibit each lectin. The data of this paper reveal the high efficiency of human milk components in blocking the P. aeruginosa lectins and the usefulness of these lectins for detecting milk glycoprotein saccharides, which may protect the infant against infections.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)230-235
Number of pages6
JournalCanadian Journal of Microbiology
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2003

Keywords

  • Glycoproteins
  • Human milk
  • Lectins
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Western blotting

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