Probing Clostridium difficile infection in complex human gut cellular models

Anonye, Blessing O., Hassall, Jack, Patient, Jamie, Detamornrat, Usanee, Aladdad, Afnan, Schuller, Stephanie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3260-9112, Rose, Felicity R. A. J. and Unnikrishnan, Meera (2019) Probing Clostridium difficile infection in complex human gut cellular models. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10. ISSN 1664-302X

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Abstract

Interactions of anaerobic gut bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, with the intestinal mucosa have been poorly studied due to challenges in culturing anaerobes with the oxygen-requiring gut epithelium. Although gut colonization by C. difficile is a key determinant of disease outcome, precise mechanisms of mucosal attachment and spread remain unclear. Here, using human gut epithelial monolayers co-cultured within dual environment chambers, we demonstrate that C. difficile adhesion to gut epithelial cells is accompanied by a gradual increase in bacterial numbers. Prolonged infection causes redistribution of actin and loss of epithelial integrity, accompanied by production of C. difficile spores, toxins, and bacterial filaments. This system was used to examine C. difficile interactions with the commensal Bacteroides dorei, and interestingly, C. difficile growth is significantly reduced in the presence of B. dorei. Subsequently, we have developed novel models containing a myofibroblast layer, in addition to the epithelium, grown on polycarbonate or three-dimensional (3D) electrospun scaffolds. In these more complex models, C. difficile adheres more efficiently to epithelial cells, as compared to the single epithelial monolayers, leading to a quicker destruction of the epithelium. Our study describes new controlled environment human gut models that enable host–anaerobe and pathogen–commensal interaction studies in vitro.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
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
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	08 May 2019 08:30
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2023 02:26
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/70863
DOI:	10.3389/fmicb.2019.00879

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