Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Antibody-Mediated Immunity To Vibrio Cholerae At Epithelial Surfaces, Kara Jeanette Levinson
Antibody-Mediated Immunity To Vibrio Cholerae At Epithelial Surfaces, Kara Jeanette Levinson
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the severe diarrheal disease cholera, has an estimated worldwide disease burden in the millions and remains a significant public health threat. Immunity to V. cholerae is primarily antibody-mediated and though V. cholerae colonization evokes a mucosal immune response, it is the secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies produced against bacterial surface antigens, specifically lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that confer protective immunity. SIgA antibodies are thought to function by inhibiting colonization by cross-linking and agglutination of pathogens, thereby limiting access to the epithelium, a process known as immune exclusion. Recent studies in other enteric pathogens have demonstrated that SIgA …