The glycobiology of uropathogenic <i>E. coli</i> infection: the sweet and bitter role of sugars in urinary tract immunity

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases and common cause of nosocomial infections, worldwide. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) responsible for approximately 80% all UTI, which commonly affect bladder. UPEC colonize urinary by ascension urethra, followed cell invasion, proliferation inside outside urothelial cells, thereby causing symptomatic quiescent intracellular reservoirs that may lead to recurrence. Sugars, or glycans, key molecules host–pathogen interactions, UTI no exception. Surface glycans regulate many events associated with adhesion infection, as well induction host immune response. While bacterial protein FimH binds mannose-containing glycoproteins initiate infection UPEC-secreted polysaccharides block mechanisms favour replication, on surface secreted prevent limit inhibiting adhesion. Given importance during here we review glycobiology highlight fundamental sugar-mediated processes immunological interest their potential clinical applications. Interdisciplinary approaches incorporating glycomics biology help develop novel non-antibiotic-based therapeutic strategies spread antimicrobial-resistant uropathogens is currently threatening modern healthcare systems.