Arcobacter butzleri isolates exhibit pathogenic potential in intestinal epithelial cell models.

AIMS

The pathogenic potential of Arcobacter butzleri isolates on human (HT-29/B6) and porcine epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells was investigated by in vitro assays.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Five of six A. butzleri isolates were able to adhere and invade HT-29/B6 cells while only four isolates adhered and two invaded IPEC-J2 cells. Two non- or poorly invasive A. butzleri isolates were highly cytotoxic to differentiated HT-29/B6 cells but none to IPEC-J2 cells as determined by WST-assays. Epithelial integrity of cell monolayers, monitored by measurement of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), was decreased by all A. butzleri isolates in HT-29/B6 and IPEC-J2 cells to 30-15% and 90-50% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The A. butzleri strain-specific pathomechanisms observed with the human colon cell line HT-29/B6, like adhesion, invasion and cytotoxicity might all contribute to epithelial barrier dysfunction, which could explain a leak-flux type of diarrhoea in humans. In contrast, porcine cells seem to be less susceptible to A. butzleri.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Arcobacter butzleri has enteric pathogenic potential, characterized by defined interactions with human epithelial cells and strain-specific pathomechanisms.