Human colostrum contains IgA antibodies reactive to colonization factors I and II of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2006 Jul;47(2):199-206. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2006.00082.x.

Abstract

Diarrhea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality amongst infants of low socio-economic levels in developing countries and in travelers who visit such areas. Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains express two sets of virulence-associated factors: enterotoxins (heat-stable toxins or heat-labile toxins) and colonization factors. Studies have shown that breast-feeding protects infants against infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, as it presents a great variety of immunological components. The aim of this study was to analyze the reactivity of immunoglobulin A from human colostrum to colonization factor antigens I and II. The colostrum ability in preventing enterotoxigenic E. coli adhesion to Caco-2 cells was also evaluated. Colostrum samples were collected from 32 healthy women, and a human colostrum pool was prepared. Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains expressing colonization factor antigens I and II were utilized. The colostrum pool and individual samples showed variable antienterotoxigenic E. coli immunoglobulin A titers, that were reactive with colonization factor antigen I and CS1/CS3 (colonization factor antigen II). The human colostrum pool and individual samples inhibited enterotoxigenic E. coli colonization factor antigen I and II adhesion to Caco-2 cells, at variable levels, and this ability was a result of immunoglobulin A antibodies reactive to these colonization factors. The immunoglobulin A-depleted pool lost this inhibitory ability. As bacterial adhesion is the initial mechanism of enterotoxigenic E. coli infection, breast-feeding could protect the offspring against diarrhea caused by this agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Colostrum / immunology*
  • Enterotoxins / immunology*
  • Escherichia coli / immunology*
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Female
  • Fimbriae Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Enterotoxins
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • colonization factor antigens
  • Fimbriae Proteins