Modulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa adherence to collagen type I and type II by carbohydrates

Abstract This study was undertaken to examine if receptor recognizing saccharides may be involved in the adherence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to collagen type I and type II. We performed an adherence inhibition assay: cells of individual P. aeruginosa isolates attached to immobilized collagen type I or type II in the presence of monosaccharides, which could serve as blockers of bacterial receptors. Bacterial binding to collagen type I molecules was inhibited to the highest degree by sugar composition d -galactose/ d -mannose/ N -acetylneuraminic acid (5:5:1), whereas attachment of P. aeruginosa to collagen type II was inhibited by composition d -glucose/ d -galactose (1:1). The same strains which were sensitive to inhibition of binding to collagen type II by both collagen types, were also sensitive to blocking by composition d -glucose/ d -galactose. It suggests that saccharides play a role in adherence of P. aeruginosa to collagen type I and type II, and a common receptor for both types of collagen may be available on the surface of P. aeruginosa cells.