title: Decoctions from Citrus reticulata Blanco seeds protect the uroepithelium against Escherichia coli invasion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional usage suggests Citrus reticulata Blanco seeds have beneficial effects against infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Citrus reticulata on the uroepithelium and to determine the mechanisms responsible for protection against urinary tract infection (UTI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Human bladder cell lines T24 and 5637 were employed in a cell culture infection model to determine the effects of Citrus reticulata treatment on Escherichia coli adherence and invasion of the uroepithelium. β1 integrin and caveolin-1 mRNA expression was assessed using RT real-time PCR. β1 integrin protein expression was confirmed by Western Blot. The effect of Citrus reticulata on bacteria was investigated using antibacterial sensitivity, yeast agglutination and biofilm assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Citrus reticulata treatment decreased β1 integrin expression and reduced bacterial invasion while adhesion of uroepithelial cells was not affected. Caveolin-1 expression was not influenced either and Citrus reticulata did neither exhibit any direct antimicrobial effect nor interfered with type 1 fimbriae binding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that Citrus reticulata has a protective effect on the uroepithelium as seen by reduced bacterial invasion of uroepithelial cells. These properties suggest that seeds from Citrus reticulata may have therapeutic potential in preventing UTI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Vollmerhausen
authors.forename: Nubia L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Dang Thi Ngoc
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Dzung
authors.forename: Annelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brauner
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D058491:Bacterial Load; D018441:Biofilms; D051242:Caveolin 1 / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D002957:Citrus; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000235:genetics; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D019459:Urothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D051242:Caveolin 1; D019012:Integrin beta1; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Bacterial invasion; Citrus reticulata Blanco; Urinary tract infection; Uropathogenic Escherichia coli; β1 integrin