Clostridioides difficile surface receptors

Clostridioides difficile surface receptors (formerly Clostridium difficile) refer to a group of proteins that facilitate the bacterium's colonization and the subsequent entry of its potent toxins into host cells. The primary bacterial surface components are the surface layer proteins (SLPs), most notably SlpA, which form a paracrystalline array that mediates adhesion to the intestinal mucosa and provides a scaffold for other cell wall proteins (Cwps) like Cwp66 and FbpA (Kirk et al., 2017, PubMed: 29153330). On the host side, C. difficile toxins TcdA and TcdB exploit specific cell surface receptors to trigger endocytosis. TcdB binds to Frizzled proteins (FZD1, 2, and 7), Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), and Poliovirus Receptor-Related 3 (PVRL3) (Tao et al., 2016, PubMed: 27657135). TcdA utilizes receptors such as glycoprotein 96 (gp96) and sucrase-isomaltase (Yuan et al., 2015, PubMed: 25938225). These interactions are critical for the development of C. difficile infection (CDI), which is characterized by severe diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Therapeutic strategies targeting these receptors include the monoclonal antibody Bezlotoxumab, which prevents TcdB from binding to host receptors (Wilcox et al., 2017, PubMed: 28121507). Experimental vaccines like VLA84 target bacterial SLPs to inhibit colonization and provide a narrow-spectrum approach to treatment.

Other names

Clostridium difficile surface receptorsC. diff surface proteinsS-layer proteinsSlpACell wall proteins (Cwps)Host toxin receptorsTcdB receptorsTcdA receptors

Neutralization of toxin-receptor binding; Inhibition of bacterial adhesion to intestinal epithelium; Induction of mucosal immunity against surface antigens.