Human airway mucin glycosylation: a combinatory of carbohydrate determinants which vary in cystic fibrosis.

Human airway mucins represent a very broad family of polydisperse high molecular mass glycoproteins, which are part of the airway innate immunity. Apomucins, which correspond to their peptide part, are encoded by at least 6 different mucin genes (MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC5AC and MUC7). The expression of some of these genes (at least MUC2 and MUC5AC) is induced by bacterial products, tobacco smoke and different cytokines.

Recognition of Lewis x derivatives present on mucins by flagellar components of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa binds to human respiratory mucins by mechanisms involving flagellar component-receptor interactions. The adhesion of P. aeruginosa strain PAK is mediated by the flagellar cap protein, FliD, without the involvement of flagellin.

Sialyl-Le(x) and sulfo-sialyl-Le(x) determinants are receptors for P. aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the main pathogen in the airways of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF), binds to carbohydrate chains of respiratory mucins. Using flow cytometry and polyacrylamide based fluorescent glycoconjugates, it was previously demonstrated that several strains of P. aeruginosa recognize a set of neutral and acidic carbohydrate epitopes found at the periphery of respiratory mucins, especially sialyl-Le(x).

Pseudomonas aeruginosa binds to neoglycoconjugates bearing mucin carbohydrate determinants and predominantly to sialyl-Lewis x conjugates.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays an important role in the colonization of the airways of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. It binds to the carbohydrate part of respiratory and salivary mucins and its binding to cystic fibrosis mucins is even higher, suggesting that qualitative or/and quantitative modifications of the carbohydrate chains may be involved in this process. In order to find out the best carbohydrate receptors for P.

Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to respiratory mucins and expression of mucin-binding proteins are increased by limiting iron during growth.

The attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to human respiratory mucus represents an important step in the development of lung infection, especially in cystic fibrosis. Local factors in the respiratory tract, such as osmolarity or iron concentration, might influence this colonization. In the present work, we have observed that overall levels of adhesion of two nonmucoid, nonpiliated strains of P.