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Mouse models for bacterial enteropathogen infections: insights into the role of colonization resistance
Mathias K-M Herzog1, Monica Cazzaniga2,3, Audrey Peters4
1Department of Biology, Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Globally, enteropathogenic bacteria are a major cause of morbidity and mortality.1-3 Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Listeria are among the top five most commonly reported zoonotic pathogens in the European Union.4 However, not all individuals naturally exposed to enteropathogens go on to develop disease. This protection is attributable to colonization resistance (CR) conferred by the gut microbiota, as well as an array of physical, chemical, and immunological barriers that limit infection. Despite their importance for human health, a detailed understanding of gastrointestinal barriers to infection is lacking, and further research is required to investigate the mechanisms that underpin inter-individual differences in resistance to gastrointestinal infection. Here, we discuss the current mouse models available to study infections by non-typhoidal Salmonella strains, Citrobacter rodentium (as a model for enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic E. coli), Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter jejuni. Clostridioides difficile is included as another important cause of enteric disease in which resistance is dependent upon CR. We outline which parameters of human infection are recapitulated in these mouse models, including the impact of CR, disease pathology, disease progression, and mucosal immune response. This will showcase common virulence strategies, highlight mechanistic differences, and help researchers from microbiology, infectiology, microbiome research, and mucosal immunology to select the optimal mouse model.
Insights
Understanding gastrointestinal infection resistance is key. This review explores mouse models for studying bacterial pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, focusing on colonization resistance and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Enteropathogenic bacteria cause significant global morbidity and mortality.
- Colonization resistance (CR) from gut microbiota and host barriers protect against infection.
- Detailed understanding of gastrointestinal infection barriers and inter-individual differences is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current mouse models for studying key gastrointestinal bacterial pathogens.
- To outline how these models recapitulate human infection parameters.
- To aid researchers in selecting optimal models for microbiology, infectiology, microbiome, and immunology studies.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of established mouse models for non-typhoidal Salmonella, Citrobacter rodentium, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Clostridioides difficile infections.
- Analysis of how these models represent colonization resistance, disease pathology, progression, and mucosal immune responses.
- Comparison of common virulence strategies and mechanistic differences across models.
Main Results:
- Mouse models effectively recapitulate critical aspects of human gastrointestinal infections.
- These models allow for the investigation of colonization resistance and host immune responses.
- Virulence strategies and mechanistic differences between pathogens can be elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate mouse models are crucial for advancing our understanding of gastrointestinal infections.
- Further research using these models will illuminate mechanisms of resistance and host-pathogen interactions.
- This review provides a guide for selecting suitable models to study enteric diseases and host defense.
