Premium
Induction of phagocytic behaviour in human epithelial cells by Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor type1
Author(s) -
Falzano Loredana,
Fiorentini Carla,
Donelli Gianfranco,
Michel Eric,
Kocks Christine,
Cossart Pascale,
Cabanié Lucien,
Oswald Eric,
Boquet Patrice
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1993.tb01254.x
Subject(s) - biology , listeriolysin o , microbiology and biotechnology , phagocytosis , cytotoxic t cell , escherichia coli , listeria monocytogenes , pathogenic bacteria , intracellular , bacteria , listeria , in vitro , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Summary Cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 (CNF1) from strains of pathogenic Escherichia coli induces in human epithelial HEp‐2 cells, a profound reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton into prominent stress fibres and membrane ruffles. We report here that this process is associated with induction of phagocytic‐like activity. CNF1‐treated cells acquired the ability to ingest latex beads as well as non‐invasive bacteria such as Listeria innocua , which were taken as a model system. Uptake of bacteria was similar to pathogen‐induced phagocytosis, since L. innocua transformed with DNA coding for the pore‐forming toxin listeriolysln O behaved, with respect to intracellular growth, like the invasive, pathogenic species L. monocytogenes. Our results raise the possibility that, in vivo , pathogenic CNF1 ‐producing E. coli may invade epithelia by this novel induced phagocytic‐like mechanism.