Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Use of Galleria mellonella as a Model Organism to Study Legionella pneumophila Infection
Published on: November 22, 2013
Campylobacter upsaliensis exerts a cytolethal distending toxin effect on HeLa cells and T lymphocytes
Sandra Trott1, Reinhard Bauer1, Hans-Joachim Knackmuss1
1Institut für Mikrobiologie, Universität Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany1.
Abstract:
Campylobacter upsaliensis is an emerging human enteropathogen. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of C. upsaliensis infection. In this study the authors demonstrate that C. upsaliensis whole-cell preparations and extracts produce a cytolethal distending toxin (CDT)-like effect on HeLa cells characterized by progressive distension and nuclear fragmentation culminating in cell death over 5 d. To further delineate the nature of this toxic effect in relation to CDT from other pathogens, the effect of C. upsaliensis on cellular events in epithelial cells and immunocytes was investigated. C. upsaliensis lysate-treated HeLa cells subjected to FACScan analysis using carboxyfluorescein diacetete succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) as a cell tracer demonstrated cell division arrest. Propidium iodide (PI) staining of HeLa cells revealed that cell cycle arrest occurred in G(2)/M. Human T lymphocytes exposed to C. upsaliensis lysates also showed cell cycle arrest in G(2)/M. Using a combination of Annexin V/PI staining and TUNEL assay, cytodistended HeLa cells were shown to undergo apoptotic cell death. These data provide the first insights into the virulence mechanisms of this novel enteropathogen.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Bacterial Toxins
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

