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An apoptotic response by J774 macrophage cells is common upon infection with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli
1Department of Microbiology, Umeå University, Sweden. lai.x-h@micro.umu.se
Abstract:
Representative strains of the different diarrheagenic Escherichia coli virotypes were tested for their potential cytotoxicity in the J774 macrophage cell line. All the seven virotypes of E. coli were cytotoxic to J774 macrophages, and in most cases the bacteria induced an apoptotic response. With the exception of the enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strain, all the other six virotypes caused induction of apoptosis as evidenced by quantitative analysis of the characteristic DNA fragmentation at the individual cell level. These results suggest that apoptosis could be one of the mechanisms contributing to the diarrheal disease development.
Insights
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli virotypes are cytotoxic to macrophages, often inducing apoptosis. This programmed cell death may contribute to diarrheal disease development, except in enterotoxigenic E. coli strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes significant global health burdens.
- Understanding the host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxic effects of different diarrheagenic E. coli virotypes on macrophages.
- To determine if these bacteria induce apoptosis in the J774 macrophage cell line.
Main Methods:
- Testing representative strains of seven diarrheagenic E. coli virotypes.
- Utilizing the J774 macrophage cell line to assess cytotoxicity.
- Quantitatively analyzing DNA fragmentation to detect apoptosis.
Main Results:
- All seven E. coli virotypes exhibited cytotoxicity towards J774 macrophages.
- Six out of seven virotypes induced apoptosis, confirmed by DNA fragmentation.
- Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was an exception, not consistently inducing apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Diarrheagenic E. coli, except for ETEC, induces apoptosis in macrophages.
- Apoptosis is a potential mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of diarrheal diseases caused by E. coli.