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In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells
Published on: May 16, 2011
Adhesion properties of E. coli cells in the presence of promethazine
J Molnár1, K Csiszár, E Czirok
1Institute of Microbiology, University Medical School, Szeged, Hungary.
Abstract:
Some E. coli strains were tested for adsorption to HEp-2 cells and on aluminium hydroxide gel. The adhesiveness of E. coli to HEp-2 cells was inhibited by promethazine. MRHA (mannose-resistant haemagglutinating activity) positive plasmid-carrying E. coli strains were found to be adsorbed to tissue culture cells more effectively than the MRHA-negative strains. Fifty percent of the clinical isolates contained antibiotic resistance plasmids, but only 40% of these strains were able to transfer the antibiotic resistance properties to E. coli as recipient. It is presumed that the hydrophobic adsorption of bacteria depends on the fimbriae, while aluminium hydroxide gel adsorption correlates with surface properties other than the fimbriae.
Insights
E. coli strains carrying mannose-resistant haemagglutinating activity (MRHA) plasmids showed greater adhesion to HEp-2 cells. Adsorption to aluminium hydroxide gel appears independent of fimbriae, suggesting different surface properties are involved.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Bacterial Adhesion
Background:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) adhesion to host cells is a key factor in pathogenesis.
- Understanding bacterial surface properties and their role in adhesion is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors influencing E. coli adsorption to HEp-2 cells and aluminium hydroxide gel.
- To determine the role of mannose-resistant haemagglutinating activity (MRHA) and antibiotic resistance plasmids in E. coli adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Testing E. coli strain adsorption to HEp-2 cells and aluminium hydroxide gel.
- Assessing the effect of promethazine on E. coli HEp-2 cell adhesion.
- Characterizing MRHA-positive and negative strains for adsorption efficiency.
- Evaluating antibiotic resistance plasmid carriage and transferability in clinical isolates.
Main Results:
- Promethazine inhibited E. coli adhesion to HEp-2 cells.
- MRHA-positive plasmid-carrying E. coli strains exhibited enhanced adsorption to tissue culture cells compared to MRHA-negative strains.
- Fifty percent of clinical isolates harbored antibiotic resistance plasmids, with only 40% demonstrating transfer capability.
- Aluminium hydroxide gel adsorption correlated with surface properties distinct from fimbriae.
Conclusions:
- Fimbriae likely mediate hydrophobic adsorption of E. coli to cells.
- Adsorption to aluminium hydroxide gel is influenced by surface characteristics other than fimbriae.
- The prevalence and transferability of antibiotic resistance plasmids in clinical E. coli isolates warrant further investigation.
