Interaction of various Entamoeba histolytica strains with human intestinal cell lines.

The interaction of four pathogenic and three nonpathogenic E. histolytica strains with two human intestinal cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29) was examined. The adherence of pathogenic and nonpathogenic E. histolytica to these cells was similar, indicating that defective adherence to intestinal cells is not a common feature of nonpathogenic strains. The addition of different carbohydrates confirmed the importance of the galactose-binding lectin of E. histolytica in binding to these intestinal cells. On the other hand, only virulent E. histolytica strains damaged monolayers of intestinal cells. The results indicate that Caco-2 cells and differentiated HT-29 cells are useful models for research of intestinal amebiasis.