Open AccessBacterial self‐defence: how E scherichia coli evades serum killing
Author(s) -
Miajlovic Helen,
Smith Stephen G.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6968.12419
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , complement system , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , innate immune system , antimicrobial , antibody , immunology , immune system , biochemistry , gene
The ability to survive the bactericidal action of serum is advantageous to extraintestinal pathogenic E scherichia coli that gain access to the bloodstream. Evasion of the innate defences present in serum, including complement and antimicrobial peptides, involves multiple factors. Serum resistance mechanisms utilized by E . coli include the production of protective extracellular polysaccharide capsules and expression of factors that inhibit or interfere with the complement cascade. Recent studies have also highlighted the importance of structural integrity of the cell envelope in serum survival. These survival strategies are outlined in this review with particular attention to novel findings and recent insights into well‐established resistance mechanisms.