Characterization of the attachment of Treponema hyodysenteriae to Henle intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.

Properties of the attachment of Treponema hyodysen­ ter iae to Henle intestinal cells (HEI 407) were examined. Frequency of attachment was dependent on motility and viability of the spirochetes. Rabbit hyperimmune and swine convalescent antisera inhibited attachment, but immune colonic secretions did not. Pretreatment of HEI cells with protease, phospholipase C,and sodium metaperiodate decreased attachment. Post-attachment treatment of cells and spirochetes with neuraminidase decreased adherence. Attachment was inhibited by N-acetylneuraminic acid, colominic acid, D-glucuronic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine, and fetuin. Adherence was increased with Nacetylglucosamine or yeast mannan. Surface antigens of T. hyodysenteriae and concentrated culture supernatants competitively inhibited adherence. Sialic acid was isolated from T_j_ hyodysenter iae and culture supernatants, in higher concentrations than from washed spirochetes or HEI cells. Fluorescent wheat germ'agglutinin lectin detected Nacetylglucosamine on the HEI cell surface. Our results suggest that the binding adhesins on T^ hyodysenteriae contain sialic acid, and the HEI cell receptor is a glycoprotein.