engleski

Modulation of Campylobacter jejuni Pathogenicity as a Consequence of Environmental Stress Response

Introduction: Campylobacters have developed a number of mechanisms for responding to environmental conditions. However, the different virulence properties of these cells following exposure to stress are still poorly understood. Methods: We analysed in vitro response to environmental stress (starvation, oxidative stress, heat shock) and the consequent modulation of Campylobacter jejuni pathogenicity in eukaryotic cell (Caco-2, J774 murine macrophages) and in vivo in a murine model. Results: In vitro, the influence of starvation and oxidative stress has milder effect than that of heat shock, although all of the stress conditions influenced the survival of C. jejuni. As published, we proved that environmental stresses have influenced the adhesion, invasion and intraepithelial survival of C. jejuni in eukaryotic cell models as well as the course of the infection of BALB/c mice. The systemic infection of mice occurred no matter what stress was investigated, but with different bacterial load in their livers and spleens as well as different production dynamics of the cytokines investigated (interleukins 6 and 10, tumor necrosis factor- α, interferon-γ) in plasma and liver homogenates. The most pronounced differences were in interferon-γ and interleukin 10 productions, indicating their roles in the immune response to C. jejuni infection. Impact of research: The study of environmental impact on bacterial virulence reveals that microbial adaptation during stress challenge is crucial not just for pathogen survival out of the host, but also during host-pathogen interactions, and thus for the bacterial pathogenicity.

Campylobacter jejuni; Pathogenicity; Mice; Stress response

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