Binding of extracellular matrix proteins by lactobacilli

Ten gut and ten vaginal Lactobacillus strains were investigated for their a bility to bind type I collagen (Cn-l) and four selected gut lactobacilli we re investigated for their binding to other extracellular matrix (ECM) molec ules. Immobilized Cn-1 (100 mg/L) in wells of microtitre plates was bound b y all 10 autoaggregating vaginal strains and by 3 strains of gut lactobacil li from piglets in the range of A(570) readings 0.114-1.806 L. acidophilus strain SV31 was much more adherent than the rest of strains. All four gut l actobacilli tested for binding to other ECM molecules displayed good bindin g to porcine fibronectin and heparin and some of them bound weakly to fetui n and porcine mucin. No binding of these strains was observed to bovine muc in. bovine fibrinogen and bovine lactoferrin.