Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigens (P. aeruginosa antigens)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigens are a heterogeneous group of molecular components derived from the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are recognized by the host immune system. These antigens include structural surface molecules like lipopolysaccharides (LPS), flagella, and pili, as well as secreted virulence factors such as Exotoxin A and the Type III secretion system (T3SS) protein PcrV [1, 4, 6, 22]. They are essential for the bacterium's ability to adhere to host tissues, evade immune clearance, and form protective biofilms, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis or those in critical care [4, 11, 21]. Therapeutically, these antigens are targeted by vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to prevent or treat multidrug-resistant infections [2, 13, 15]. Drugs targeting these antigens typically work through neutralizing bacterial toxins or facilitating opsonophagocytic killing by host immune cells [8, 13, 22]. However, the high degree of antigenic variation among different pseudomonal strains remains a major obstacle to the clinical success of broadly effective therapies [1, 22].

Other names

Pseudomonal antigensBacterial antigens (P. aeruginosa)P. aeruginosa virulence factorsLipopolysaccharide (LPS)O-antigenOuter membrane proteins (OMP)Flagellar antigensPilus antigensExotoxin A (ETA)PcrV proteinAlginateType III secretion system (T3SS) antigens

Neutralization of bacterial toxins, induction of opsonophagocytosis, blocking of bacterial adhesion, and stimulation of active or passive adaptive immunity [8, 13, 22].