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Target intelligence / Profile preview
O-polysaccharide antigen of Escherichia coli (O-antigen)
- Target
- O-antigen
- Molecular classification
- Other (surface polysaccharide), Bacterial antigen
01
Overview
The O-polysaccharide antigen of Escherichia coli refers to the O-specific polysaccharide chain of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposed on the bacterial surface, consisting of repeating oligosaccharide units that vary in structure among serogroups (over 180 O-antigen types are known)[4][3][1]. This antigenic diversity enables E. coli strains to evade host immune responses and serves as the basis for serotyping. In extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), O-antigens play a central role in virulence, facilitating resistance to serum killing, immune evasion, and persistence within the host[4]. O-antigen biosynthesis is specified by clusters of genes encoding glycosyltransferases and related enzymes[1][2], and the antigens are highly immunogenic, making them a focal point in the design of vaccines and serological diagnostics.
- Other names
- O-specific polysaccharideO-antigenO-polysaccharide
02
Mechanism of action
Induction of adaptive immunity via antibody recognition of surface-exposed O-antigen Antibody-dependent bacterial clearance
03
Biological functions
Immune response (major antigenic determinant)Mediates host-pathogen interactionsContributes to bacterial virulenceProtection against environmental stress
04
Disease associations
Infection (primarily urinary tract infections, sepsis, meningitis by extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli)Other (used for epidemiological serotyping)
05
Safety considerations
High antigenic variability complicates universal vaccine designPossible immunological cross-reactivity with structurally similar antigens of other bacteria
06
Interacting drugs
Vaccines (e.g., candidate O-antigen conjugate vaccines under development, but no approved drugs directly target the O-antigen)
1 more in the full profile.
07
Biomarkers
Serogroup-specific O-antigen (used in clinical and epidemiological typing)
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