Electron microscopic study of coexpression of adhesive protein capsules and polysaccharide capsules in Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli 21535 (O21:K4:H4 with nonfimbrial adhesin NFA-6) and 21511 (O7:K98:H6 with nonfimbrial adhesin NFA-4) were analyzed by immunoelectron microscopy with a K98-specific antiserum and K4- and NFA-4-specific and NFA-6-reactive monoclonal antibodies. The bacteria were analyzed in ultrathin sections after stabilization of the capsules with specific antibodies by embedding in Epon 812 as well as in Lowicryl K4M. With the Lowicryl-embedded samples, the polysaccharide K antigens were labeled by the immunogold technique. It was found that with both strains all bacteria expressed the polysaccharide capsule, while in each case about 20% expressed the protein capsule in addition. Thus, in both invasive E. coli strains, bacteria are present which express composite capsules with the adhesin (recognition protein) at the cell-distal outer region and the K antigen (acidic polysaccharide) at the cell-proximal inner region. These findings are discussed with respect to the participation of the capsular compartments in unspecific host defense.