Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses multiple receptors for adherence to laminin during infection of the respiratory tract and skin wounds

Pseudomonas aeruginosa efficiently adheres to human tissues, including the lungs and skin, causing infections that are difficult to treat. Laminin is a main component of the extracellular matrix, and in this study we defined bacterial laminin receptors on P. aeruginosa. Persistent clinical P. aeruginosa isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis, wounds or catheter-related urinary tract infections bound more laminin compared to blood isolates. Laminin receptors in the outer membrane were revealed by 2D-immunblotting, and the specificities of interactions were confirmed with ELISA and biolayer interferometry. Four new high-affinity laminin receptors were identified in the outer membrane; EstA, OprD, OprG and PA3923. Mutated bacteria devoid of these receptors adhered poorly to immobilized laminin. All bacterial receptors bound to the heparin-binding domains on LG4 and LG5 of the laminin alpha chain as assessed with truncated laminin fragments, transmission electron microscopy and inhibition by heparin. In conclusion, P. aeruginosa binds laminin via multiple surface receptors, and isolates from lungs of cystic fibrosis patients bound significantly more laminin compared to bacteria isolated from the skin and urine. Since laminin is abundant in both the lungs and skin, we suggest that laminin binding is an important mechanism in P. aeruginosa pathogenesis.