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Updated: May 6, 2026
Induction of Cellular Differentiation and Single Cell Imaging of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Swimmer and Swarmer Cells
Published on: May 15, 2017
Translocation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus across an in vitro M cell model
Rebecca Finn1, Tauseef Ahmad, Eleanor T Coffey
1Discipline of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Abstract:
Consumption of Vibrio parahaemolyticus via contaminated shellfish results in inflammatory gastroenteritis characterised by severe diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps. This study investigated the translocation of V. parahaemolyticus across a Peyer's patch M cell-like Caco-2/Raji B co-culture model system, as M cells represent a primary site of infection for many pathogenic bacteria. Vibrio parahaemolyticus translocated across co-culture monolayers in higher numbers as compared to Caco-2 monolayers. Moreover, the bacteria induced a greater disruption of the transepithelial resistance in M cell-like co-cultures than in Caco-2 monocultures. Virulence factors associated with this pathogen include two type three secretion systems (TTSS-1 and TTSS-2). TTSS-1 had no effect on translocation efficiency, with TTSS-2 exhibiting a modest enhancing effect. ERK activity was required for optimal translocation 1 h postinfection, however, neither ERK nor the JNK and p38 MAPK were required at 2 h pi. Additionally, TER disruption in response to bacterial infection occurred independently of the TTSS and MAPK activation. It was concluded that V. parahaemolyticus causes TER disruption of M cell-like co-cultures and translocates in high numbers across the M cell-like co-culture monolayer. These data implicate M cells as important sites for V. parahaemolyticus invasion across the intestinal epithelium during infection.
Insights
Vibrio parahaemolyticus invades the intestinal epithelium by translocating across M cells. This pathogen disrupts transepithelial resistance, indicating M cells are key sites for infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogen-Host Interactions
Background:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes gastroenteritis through contaminated shellfish.
- M cells in Peyer's patches are primary sites for pathogenic bacterial invasion.
- Understanding bacterial translocation across the intestinal epithelium is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Vibrio parahaemolyticus translocation across an M cell-like co-culture model.
- To determine the role of type three secretion systems (TTSS) and MAPK pathways in V. parahaemolyticus invasion.
- To assess the impact of V. parahaemolyticus on intestinal barrier integrity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Caco-2/Raji B co-culture model mimicking M cells.
- Quantified bacterial translocation across monolayers.
- Measured transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) to assess barrier function.
- Investigated the involvement of TTSS-1, TTSS-2, ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways.
Main Results:
- V. parahaemolyticus translocated in higher numbers across M cell-like co-cultures compared to Caco-2 monocultures.
- Bacterial infection caused greater TER disruption in M cell-like co-cultures.
- TTSS-2 modestly enhanced translocation, while TTSS-1 had no effect.
- ERK activity was required for translocation at 1 hour postinfection, but not at 2 hours.
- TER disruption was independent of TTSS and MAPK activation.
Conclusions:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus effectively translocates across M cell-like intestinal epithelium models.
- The pathogen disrupts intestinal barrier integrity, indicated by TER changes.
- M cells are significant sites for V. parahaemolyticus invasion during infection.
