Surface properties of Yersinia species and epithelial cell interactions in vitro by a method measuring total associated, attached and intracellular bacteria.

A procedure was developed for enumeration of total associated, attached and intracellular bacteria after interaction of Yersinia spp. with epithelial cells in vitro. Isogenic cultures of Y. enterocolitica grown at 25 degrees C had greater affinity for epithelial cells (Henle, HeLa and Vero) than for polystyrene, and they invaded the cells. Y. kristenseni and Y. intermedia showed less attachment to either surface and were non-invasive. The degree of attachment to cells and invasion by Y. enterocolitica was related to number of bacteria added and interaction time, whereas attachment to polystyrene occurred rapidly and did not change. Y. enterocolitica was more hydrophobic when grown at 35 degrees C than at 25 degrees C according to partitioning in a biphasic dextran-polyethylene glycol system, and attached strongly to both polystyrene and epithelial-cell monolayers. Y. kristenseni grown at 25 degrees C was also hydrophobic but did not have the same attachment properties. Y. kristenseni and Y. intermedia showed slightly reduced electrostatic interactions with the anion exchangers DEAE-Sepharose and DEAE-Trisacryl. Attachment of Y. enterocolitica to epithelial cells probably involves non-specific surface properties that are not entirely explicable by hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, whereas invasion of epithelial cells appears to resemble "receptor-mediated endocytosis".