Evaluating the role of the linker element of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 flagellin in immunomodulation

01.01.2021 bis 31.12.2021

The probiotic bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is well known to reduce intestinal inflammation. We previously showed that it can ameliorate inflammation in a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced acute colitis. More precisely, we demonstrated that EcN’s flagellin protein – the monomeric component of the bacterial flagella – is largely responsible for this protective effect. Structural analysis revealed an additional domain between the conserved and the hypervariable region of the EcN-flagellin. This so-called “linker” element might have a strong effect on the steric configuration of the protein and, thus, on interaction with host toll-like receptor 5. This project aims on evaluation of the immunomodulatory properties of this linker and its role in promoting intestinal immune homeostasis.