CS17 fimbriae minor tip adhesin CsbD (CsbD) (CsbD)

CsbD is the minor tip adhesin protein of the CS17 fimbriae, which are expressed by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). ETEC is a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea in children in developing countries and a major cause of traveler's diarrhea worldwide (UniProt P0CL58). The CS17 fimbriae belong to the CFA/I-like family of pili and are essential for the bacteria's ability to adhere to and colonize the human small intestine (PubMed: 9264057). CsbD is located at the distal tip of the fimbrial shaft and is responsible for the specific recognition and binding of host cell receptors, a critical step in the pathogenesis of ETEC (PubMed: 28808153). Because it is vital for the initial stages of infection, CsbD is a significant target for the development of vaccines and anti-adhesion therapies. Targeting CsbD aims to prevent the establishment of infection by neutralizing the bacteria's ability to attach to the gut wall, thereby preventing toxin delivery and subsequent disease (PubMed: 31406100). Current research focuses on including CsbD or related fimbrial antigens in multivalent oral vaccines to provide broad protection against various ETEC strains. Anti-adhesive drugs that mimic host receptors are also being explored to competitively inhibit CsbD-mediated binding.

Other names

CsbD proteinCS17 minor pilinCS17 adhesin subunit

Inhibition of bacterial attachment to host intestinal epithelium by blocking the interaction between the fimbrial tip and host receptors.