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High-throughput Assay to Phenotype Salmonella enterica Typhimurium Association, Invasion, and Replication in Macrophages
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Commensal bacteria increase invasion of intestinal epithelium by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi

Jeffrey B Lyczak1

  • 1The Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. jlyczak@channing.harvard.edu

Infection and Immunity
|October 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Gut bacteria products can alter cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein distribution, increasing Salmonella Typhi invasion and potentially influencing typhoid fever susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The intestinal microflora comprises diverse microorganisms impacting host health.
  • The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein plays a role in epithelial cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how commensal gut bacteria influence the interaction between epithelial cells and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi.
  • To determine if bacterial products can alter CFTR protein localization and affect pathogen invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of CFTR protein redistribution in epithelial cells induced by commensal bacterial products.
  • Assessment of Salmonella Typhi adhesion and invasion following CFTR redistribution.

Main Results:

  • Products from certain intestinal bacteria trigger CFTR protein redistribution in epithelial cells.
  • This redistribution enhances Salmonella Typhi adhesion and invasion, utilizing CFTR as a receptor.
  • Commensal-mediated CFTR changes increase pathogen translocation to the gastric submucosa.

Conclusions:

  • Commensal microorganisms can modulate epithelial cell CFTR protein, impacting Salmonella Typhi invasion efficiency.
  • This interaction may be a critical factor in host susceptibility to typhoid fever.

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