Molecular mimicry in Campylobacter jejuni: role of the lipo-oligosaccharide core oligosaccharide in inducing anti-ganglioside antibodies.

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as the most common identifiable pathogen associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an acute autoimmune-mediated disease affecting the peripheral nervous system. The immune response to ganglioside-like structures in lipo-oligosaccharides (LOSs) of certain C. jejuni strains is thought to cross-react with human nerve gangliosides and induce GBS.

Expression of the htrB gene is essential for responsiveness of Salmonella typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni to harsh environments.

In Campylobacter jejuni, an htrB homologous gene is located in the lipo-oligosaccharide synthesis gene cluster. This study examined the effects of htrB expression on the responsiveness of Salmonella typhimurium and C. jejuni to harsh environments.

Evaluation of eight RNA isolation methods for transcriptional analysis in Campylobacter jejuni.

DNA-free RNA samples are essential to investigate gene regulation using real-time RT-PCR. This study evaluated eight RNA isolation methods in combination with TURBO DNase treatment and acid phenol extractions for their ability to produce DNA-free RNA from Campylobacter jejuni strains.

Exchange of lipooligosaccharide synthesis genes creates potential Guillain-Barre syndrome-inducible strains of Campylobacter jejuni.

Human ganglioside-like structures, such as GM1, found on some Campylobacter jejuni strains have been linked to inducing the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). This study shows that a C. jejuni strain without GM1-like molecules acquired large DNA fragments, including lipooligosaccharide synthesis genes, from a strain expressing GM1-like molecules and consequently transformed into a number of potential GBS-inducible transformants, which exhibited a high degree of genetic and phenotypic diversity.