Pathogenesis of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli LF82 in human colonic epithelium is characterised by adhesive biofilms, mucus penetration and contact-dependent cytotoxicity

Evans, Bethan Fay, Dorji, Tshering, Bigaliyeva, Damira, Chan, Simon and Schüller, Stephanie (2025) Pathogenesis of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli LF82 in human colonic epithelium is characterised by adhesive biofilms, mucus penetration and contact-dependent cytotoxicity. Gut Microbes, 17 (1). ISSN 1949-0976

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Abstract

Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) associated with Crohn’s disease (CD) are traditionally defined by adherence and invasion of epithelial cells and survival in macrophages. However, their interactions with differentiated intestinal epithelia remain largely unexplored. Here, we have investigated the pathogenesis of AIEC prototype strain LF82 in polarised human colon carcinoma cells and colonic organoids. While LF82 infection of Caco-2 and T84 cells was characterised by CEACAM6-independent adherence, biofilm formation, inflammation and contact-mediated cytotoxicity, invasion was comparably low to that of non-invasive E. coli MG1655. Investigation of additional AIEC isolates revealed that biofilm production and cell damage were specific for strain LF82. Infection of human colonoids confirmed biofilm formation, negligible invasion and cytotoxicity of AIEC LF82. However, bacteria adhered preferentially to the mucus layer and penetrated to the epithelial surface. Our results suggest that LF82 pathogenesis in the human colon is characterised by the formation of adherent biofilms, mucus penetration and contact-dependent cytotoxicity which likely contributes to epithelial leakage and inflammation in CD.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data availability statement: The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary materials. Funding information: This study was funded by a UEA PhD studentship to BFE and a Norwich Bioscience Institutes Grand Challenges grant to SS. TD was supported by a Chevening scholarship from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Pathogen Biology Group
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	28 Oct 2025 12:30
Last Modified:	02 Nov 2025 07:31
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100816
DOI:	10.1080/19490976.2025.2573046

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