Bacterial fimbrial adhesin (PapG and FimH) (PapG/FimH)

Bacterial adhesins, such as P-fimbriae (PapG) and Type 1 fimbriae (FimH), are critical virulence factors found on the surface of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) (Howell et al., 2005). These proteins facilitate the attachment of bacteria to specific carbohydrate receptors on the human urothelium, a necessary first step for the colonization and subsequent infection of the urinary tract (Foo et al., 2000). Cranberry proanthocyanidins (PACs), particularly those with A-type linkages, act as anti-adhesion agents by binding to these fimbrial proteins (Lavigne et al., 2008). This interaction prevents the bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, allowing them to be flushed out during urination (Gupta et al., 2007). Unlike traditional antibiotics, this mechanism does not kill the bacteria directly, which may help mitigate the development of antimicrobial resistance (NIH NCCIH, 2023). Consequently, these adhesins are primary targets for non-pharmacological interventions and dietary supplements aimed at preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (Howell et al., 2005).

Other names

P-fimbrial adhesinType 1 fimbrial adhesinUropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesinP-pili adhesinFimH adhesinPapG adhesinFimbrial lectin

Competitive inhibition of bacterial fimbriae binding to host cell surface receptors, preventing adherence and colonization (Howell et al., 2005; Foo et al., 2000).