Role of Two-Partner Secretion System dependent FhaB۱ and FhaB۲ Proteins in Adhesion of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC۱۹۶۰۶ to Human Epithelial Cells

Objective: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has a good potential to colonize on various surfaces. As a virulence factor, adhesion to surfaces is the first step in colonization. The Two-Partner Secretion System (TPS) proteins are key factors for bacterial attachment. The purpose of this study is to identify and study the role of this family of proteins in adhesion of A. baumannii to human epithelial cells. Methods: Gene homologues that encoded the TPS were analyzed by bioinformatics tools and the primers were designed accordingly. The constructs synthesized in the pET۲۲b vector were transferred to BL۲۱(DE۳). The transformed cells were named FhaB۱ and FhaB۲. The protein expression on the cell membrane was studied in addition to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation by recombinant strains, A. baumannii and E.coli BL۲۱(DE۳). Results: Bioinformatic studies showed the bacterial potential of producing two exoproteins (FhaB۱ and FhaB۲). Expression of the recombinant proteins on the outer membrane was confirmed by Western Blot Analysis and whole cell ELISA. The results revealed an association between the recombinant cells and bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. FhaB۱, FhaB۲  and A. baumannii exhibited enhanced adherence to human lung epithelial cells compared to E.coli BL۲۱(DE۳) Conclusion: TPS in A.baumannii is of adherence and colonization factors and is one of the bacterial virulence factors.

کلیدواژه ها:

Acinetobacter baumannii ، Adhesion ، Two-Partner Secretion System ، اسنیتوباکتربومانی ، سیستم ترشحی دوجزئی ، چسبندگی