Norepinephrine increases the pathogenic potential of Campylobacter jejuni.
BACKGROUND
Campylobacter jejuni can cause a spectrum of diseases in humans, ranging from enteritis and diarrhoea to severe inflammation, profuse bloody diarrhoea and chronic relapsing infection. Norepinephrine (NE) levels in the intestine increase under conditions of stress and trauma, and are thought to result in spill over of NE into the intestinal lumen. NE is known to stimulate the growth of a range of bacterial species, and to increase the pathogenicity of Escherichia coli.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of NE on the pathogenic potential of C jejuni in a model system.


METHODS
C jejuni was grown in iron-replete and iron-limited media in the presence and absence of 100 microM NE. Several virulence-associated characteristics, including motility and cell invasion, were measured.


RESULTS
When C jejuni was grown in iron-limited media in the presence of NE, growth rate, motility and invasion of cultured epithelial cells were increased compared with cultures grown in the absence of NE. Bacteria exposed to NE during growth also caused greater subsequent disruption of cultured epithelial cell monolayers, inducing widespread breakdown of tight junctions.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to NE causes an increase in the virulence-associated properties of Campylobacter. Stress and concomitant infection could therefore be contributory factors to the variable presentation of this disease.
Cogan
T A
TA
Division of Veterinary Pathology, Infection and Immunity, School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK. tristan.cogan@bristol.ac.uk
Thomas
A O
AO
Rees
L E N
LE
Taylor
A H
AH
Jepson
M A
MA
Williams
P H
PH
Ketley
J
J
Humphrey
T J
TJ
D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003470:Culture Media; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008954:Models, Biological; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
D003470:Culture Media; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D007501:Iron; D009638:Norepinephrine