Direct Evaluation of Live Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Adhesion and Efficiency of Antiadhesive Compounds Using a Simple Microarray Approach

Anal Chem. 2018 Oct 16;90(20):12314-12321. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04235. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Abstract

Many pathogens use host glycans as docking points for adhesion. Therefore, the use of compounds blocking carbohydrate-binding adhesins is a promising strategy for fighting infections. In this work, we describe a simple and rapid microarray approach for assessing the bacterial adhesion and efficiency of antiadhesive compounds targeting uropathogenic Escherichia coli UTI89, which displays mannose-specific adhesin FimH at the tip of fimbriae. The approach consisted in direct detection of live fluorescently labeled bacteria bound to mannan printed onto microarray slides. The utility of the arrays for binding/inhibition assays was first validated by comparing array-derived results for the model mannose-binding lectin concanavalin A with data obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry. Growth phase-dependent binding of UTI89 to the arrays was observed, proving the usefulness of the setup for detecting differences in FimH expression. Importantly, bacteria labeling and binding assays entailed minimal manipulation, helping to preserve the integrity of fimbriae. The efficiency of three different dodecamannosylated fullerenes as FimH-targeted antiadhesives was next evaluated in competition assays. The results revealed a superior activity of the mannofullerenes (5- to 18-fold per mannose residue) over methyl α-d-mannopyranoside. Moreover, differences in activity were detected for mannofullerenes differing in the structure/length of the spacer used for grafting mannose onto the fullerene core, further demonstrating the sensitivity of the assay. Overall, the approach combines straightforward and time-saving protocols for microarray preparation, bacteria labeling, and binding assays, and it can be easily tailored to other bacteria bearing carbohydrate-binding adhesins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects*
  • Calorimetry
  • Concanavalin A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Fullerenes / pharmacology*
  • Microarray Analysis*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / growth & development

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Concanavalin A