The binding of outer membrane (OM) ghosts derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 492c to human buccal epithelial cells (BECs) was examined. Electron microscopic examination of the binding of OM ghosts to BECs revealed direct OM ghost–BEC interaction. Equilibrium analysis of the binding of OM ghosts to trypsinized BECs employing the Langmuir adsorption isotherm indicated the number of binding sites (iV) to be 1.3 × 10−1 μg protein per BEC with an apparent association constant (Ka) of 3.4 × 10−2 mL/μg protein. The Langmuir analysis of binding of OM ghosts to untrypsinized BECs was complex, suggesting two possible classes of receptors, a high affinity–low copy number class (Ka, 1.8 × 10−2 mL/μg protein; N, 8.6 × 10−5 μg protein per BEC) and a low affinity – high copy number class(Afa, 3.7 × 10−3 mL/μg protein; N, 9.2 × 10−4 μg protein per BEC). Sugar inhibition studies incorporating D-galactose enhanced binding to each BEC type. N-Acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetyl-glucosamine both enhanced binding of OM ghosts to untrypsinized BECs, while inhibiting binding to trypsinized BECs. D-Arabinose inhibited binding to both BEC types. Binding of OM ghosts to both BEC types was greatly inhibited by D-fucose, while L-fucose only greatly inhibited binding to untrypsinized BECs. These sugar inhibition data demonstrated a difference in the binding of OM ghosts to trypsinized and untrypsinized BECs and possibly reveal the nature of the receptor(s), free of possible bacterial metabolic effects. These data indicated that OM ghosts from 492c appear to bind to BECs in a similar manner to the intact bacteria and represent a simple model system to study the adhesion of P. aeruginosa to BECs.
Cell-adhesion molecule uvomorulin is localized in the intermediate junctions of adult intestinal epithelial cells.
