Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection stimulates Shiga toxin 1 macropinocytosis and transcytosis across intestinal epithelial cells

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2011 Nov;301(5):C1140-9. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00036.2011. Epub 2011 Aug 10.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal infection with Shiga toxins producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli causes the spectrum of gastrointestinal and systemic complications, including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is fatal in ∼10% of patients. However, the molecular mechanisms of Stx endocytosis by enterocytes and the toxins cross the intestinal epithelium are largely uncharacterized. We have studied Shiga toxin 1 entry into enterohemorrhagic E. coli-infected intestinal epithelial cells and found that bacteria stimulate Shiga toxin 1 macropinocytosis through actin remodeling. This enterohemorrhagic E. coli-caused macropinocytosis occurs through a nonmuscle myosin II and cell division control 42 (Cdc42)-dependent mechanism. Macropinocytosis of Shiga toxin 1 is followed by its transcytosis to the basolateral environment, a step that is necessary for its systemic spread. Inhibition of Shiga toxin 1 macropinocytosis significantly decreases toxin uptake by intestinal epithelial cells and in this way provides an attractive, antibiotic-independent strategy for prevention of the harmful consequences of enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Colon / microbiology
  • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Myosin Type II / metabolism
  • Pinocytosis*
  • Shiga Toxin 1 / metabolism*
  • Transcytosis*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Shiga Toxin 1
  • Myosin Type II
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein