Lactobacillus adhesion to epithelial cells from bovine vagina

MARIA CLAUDIA OTERO; MARIA ELENA NADER-MACIAS

Biomicroworld. Communicating Current Research and Educational Topics and Trends in Applied Microbiology

Formatex

Lugar: Badajoz. España; Año: 2007; p. 749 - 757

Bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells is one of the characteristics available to support the capability of microorganisms to colonize the specific tract of the host. This property is studied both in pathogens and probiotic bacteria. The aim of this work was to evaluate and characterize the adhesion to vaginal bovine epithelial cells of three bovine probiotic Lactobacillus strains with different surface properties. An in vitro assay was set up and optimised by incubation of the microorganisms with fresh vaginal epithelial cells. The evaluation of the bacteria adhered was observed by sacanning electron microscopy and quantified through Gram stains. Previous treatments with proteolytic enzymes and sodium periodate were applied to determine the chemical nature of the responsible factors. The adhesion patterns were different for each one of the strain and coincident with the autoaggregative phenotype of strains that showed also to be the more adherent. The factors associated with adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells in the three strains are glycoproteins in nature. The projection of the results in a product for veterinarian proposes is discussed.