Figure 4.

FimH-mediated internalization of latex beads. Native FimH can be purified from bacteria in complex with the type 1 pilus chaperone FimC (14). Transmission EM (and other data not shown) demonstrate that latex beads coated with FimC-FimH complexes are readily internalized by bladder epithelial cells (5637 cells) grown in culture. Beads coated with FimC alone or with BSA are not internalized (23). The envelopment of FimC-FimH-coated beads by 5637 cells is similar in appearance to the envelopment of type 1-piliated E. coli by bladder epithelial cells. (Bar = 1 μm.)