Smani, YounesMcConnell, Michael JPachón, Jerónimo2013-03-182013-03-182012-04-13Smani Y, McConnell MJ, Pachón J. Role of fibronectin in the adhesion of Acinetobacter baumannii to host cells. PLoS ONE; 7(4):e33073http://hdl.handle.net/10668/848Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;Adhesion to host cells is an initial and important step in Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis. However, there is relatively little information on the mechanisms by which A. baumannii binds to and interacts with host cells. Adherence to extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, affords pathogens with a mechanism to invade epithelial cells. Here, we found that A. baumannii adheres more avidly to immobilized fibronectin than to control protein. Free fibronectin used as a competitor resulted in dose-dependent decreased binding of A. baumannii to fibronectin. Three outer membrane preparations (OMPs) were identified as fibronectin binding proteins (FBPs): OMPA, TonB-dependent copper receptor, and 34 kDa OMP. Moreover, we demonstrated that fibronectin inhibition and neutralization by specific antibody prevented significantly the adhesion of A. baumannii to human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells). Similarly, A. baumannii OMPA neutralization by specific antibody decreased significantly the adhesion of A. baumannii to A549 cells. These data indicate that FBPs are key adhesins that mediate binding of A. baumannii to human lung epithelial cells through interaction with fibronectin on the surface of these host cells.enProteínas de la Matriz ExtracelularFibronectinasProteínas de la Membrana Bacteriana ExternaAcinetobacter baumanniiMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Microbiological Phenomena::Bacterial Physiological Phenomena::Bacterial Processes::Bacterial AdhesionMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Proteins::Bacterial Proteins::Bacterial Outer Membrane ProteinsMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Cells::Cells, Cultured::Cell LineMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Chemistry Techniques, Analytical::Electrophoresis::Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide GelMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Proteins::Scleroproteins::Extracellular Matrix ProteinsMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Proteins::Globulins::Serum Globulins::FibronectinsMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Chemical Phenomena::Biochemical Phenomena::Biochemical Processes::Protein BindingMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Bacteria::Gram-Negative Bacteria::Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria::Gram-Negative Aerobic Rods and Cocci::Moraxellaceae::Acinetobacter::Acinetobacter baumanniiresearch article22514602open access10.1371/journal.pone.00330731932-6203PMC3326023