Colonization factor antigen I fimbrial adhesin (CfaE) (CfaE)

The Colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) fimbrial adhesin, specifically the minor subunit CfaE, is a critical virulence factor of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (Baker et al., 2009, PMID: 19126710). ETEC is a leading cause of secretory diarrhea in children in low-income countries and a primary cause of traveler's diarrhea (Poole et al., 2018, PMID: 30104361). The CfaE protein is located at the distal tip of the CFA/I fimbriae and mediates the initial attachment of the bacteria to the intestinal epithelium by binding to specific glycoconjugate receptors (Seidman et al., 2022, PMID: 35413195). This adhesion is a prerequisite for colonization and the subsequent delivery of heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins that cause fluid secretion. Because of its essential role in the infection cycle, CfaE is a primary target for vaccine development, including whole-cell inactivated vaccines like ETVAX and various subunit vaccines (Sjökvist Saers et al., 2022, PMID: 35124117). Therapeutic strategies also explore the use of monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule adhesion inhibitors to prevent ETEC-mediated disease by blocking the binding pocket of the adhesin (Vidal et al., 2019, PMID: 31110054).

Other names

CFA/I adhesinCfaE subunitColonization factor antigen I minor subunitETEC adhesin CfaEFimbrial adhesin CfaE

Inhibition of bacterial attachment to host intestinal epithelial cells by blocking the adhesin binding site or inducing neutralizing antibodies (Baker et al., 2009, PMID: 19126710).