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.
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe St., Park 256, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. bacteriologist@mikrobe.org
Maneesh
M
Paul-Satyaseela
Yi
Y
Xie
Francescopaolo
F
Di Cello
Kwang Sik
KS
Kim
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