Responses of brain and non-brain endothelial cells to meningitis-causing Escherichia coli K1.
Bacterial interaction with specific host tissue may contribute to its propensity to cause an infection in a particular site. In this study, we examined whether meningitis-causing Escherichia coli K1 interaction with human brain microvascular endothelial cells, which constitute the blood-brain barrier, differed from its interaction with non-brain endothelial cells derived from skin and umbilical cord. We showed that E. coli K1 association was significantly greater with human brain microvascular endothelial cells than with non-brain endothelial cells. In addition, human brain microvascular endothelial cells maintained their morphology and intercellular junctional resistance in response to E. coli K1. In contrast, non-brain endothelial cells exhibited decreased transendothelial electrical resistance and detachment from the matrix upon exposure to E. coli K1. These different responses of brain and non-brain endothelial cells to E. coli K1 may form the basis of E. coli K1's propensity to cause meningitis.
Paul-Satyaseela
Maneesh
M
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe St., Park 256, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. bacteriologist@mikrobe.org
Xie
Yi
Y
Di Cello
Francescopaolo
F
Kim
Kwang Sik
KS
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000166:cytology; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017097:Electric Impedance; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*
D018830:Adhesins, Escherichia coli; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C058769:fimH protein, E coli; C060296:cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins