This study shows ETEC heat-labile toxin stabilizes β-catenin and alters intestinal epithelial differentiation, leading to impaired nutrient absorption and growth issues.

bioRxiv · Oct 2, 2025 · PreprintMicrobiology

Parenteral Vaccination with recombinant EtpA glycoprotein impairs enterotoxigenic E. coli colonization

Tim J. Vickers, David P. Buckley, Nazia Khatoon, Alaullah Sheikh, Bipul Setu, Zachary T. Berndsen, James M. Fleckenstein

This study shows that parenteral vaccination with recombinant EtpA glycoprotein can protect against ETEC intestinal colonization in mice, with protection dependent on vaccination schedule and adjuvant type.

Infection and Immunity · May 1, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Repeat modules and N-linked glycans define structure and antigenicity of a critical enterotoxigenic E. coli adhesin

Zachary T. Berndsen, Marjahan Akhtar, Mahima Thapa, Tim J. Vickers, Aaron J. Schmitz, Jonathan L. Torres, Sabyasachi Baboo, Pardeep Kumar, Nazia Khatoon, Alaullah Sheikh, Melissa Hamrick, Jolene K. Diedrich, Salvador Martínez‐Bartolomé, Patrick T. Garrett, John R. Yates, , James M. Fleckenstein

This study identifies key structural and glycosylation features of EtpA, an ETEC adhesin, and shows how antibodies target different epitopes to influence immune responses and pathogen-host interactions.

PLoS Pathogens · Sep 16, 2024Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Host-derived CEACAM-laden vesicles engage enterotoxigenic E. coli for elimination and toxin neutralization.

Alaullah Sheikh, Debayan Ganguli, Tim J. Vickers, Bernhard B. Singer, Jennifer D. Foulke-Abel, Marjahan Akhtar, Nazia Khatoon, Bipul Setu, Supratim Basu, Clayton D. Harro, Nicole Maier, Wandy L. Beatty, Subhra Chakraborty, Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Firdausi Qadri, , James M. Fleckenstein

The paper shows that host-derived CEACAM-laden vesicles capture ETEC and its toxins, reducing pathogen load and neutralizing toxins during infection.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Sep 12, 2024Peer-reviewedMicrobiology