Fig. 5.

Schematic representation of initial attachment of ETEC and its inhibition by anti-CofJ antibody. (A) ETEC entering the small intestine first secretes CofJ molecules. These secreted CofJ molecules bind to the intestinal epithelial cell surface. (B) ETEC achieves adhesion to the intestinal cells by interaction between the N-terminal fragment of CofJ and the CofB trimer present at the tip of type IVb pilus. (C) A number of CofJ molecules on the cell surface are utilized for attachment of another ETEC. Multivalent binding is also possible using several pili to tightly adhere to cells. (D) Polyclonal anti-CofJ antibody inhibits the attachment of ETEC by blocking the interaction between CofJ and the CofB trimer.