Short Lecture “New strategies for the treatment of urinary tract infections: Equisetum arvense herb extract as inductor of Tamm-Horsfall Protein against E. coli”

Abstract

Tamm-Horsfall Protein (syn. THP, Uromodulin) is secreted in the epithelial cells of the thick ascending limb of the Henle loop. THP is capable of binding uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and therefore prevents interaction with eucariotic host cells [1], [2]. Stimulation of THP secretion represents a new strategy for the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTI). Recently, Cranberry extracts have been shown to exert antiadhesive activity against UPEC by strong THP-stimulation after oral intake, correlated with significant antiadhesive effects of UPEC against bladder cells [3].