Bacteroides fragilis toxin 2 damages human colonic mucosa in vitro

M. Riegler, M. Lotz, C. Sears, C. Pothoulakis, I. Castagliuolo, C. C. Wang, R. Sedivy, T. Sogukoglu, E. Cosentini, G. Bischof, W. Feil, B. Teleky, G. Hamilton, J. T. LaMont, E. Wenzl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background - Strains of Bacteroides fragilis producing a 20 kDa protein toxin (B fragilis toxin (BFT) or fragilysin) are associated with diarrhoea in animals and humans. Although in vitro results indicate that BFT damages intestinal epithelial cells in culture, the effects of BFT on native human colon are not known. Aims - To examine the electrophysiological and morphological effects of purified BFT-2 on human colonic mucosa in vitro. Methods - For resistance (R) measurements, colonic mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers was exposed to luminal or serosal BFT-2 (1.25-10 nM) and after four hours morphological damage was measured on haematoxylin and eosin stained sections using morphometry. F actin distribution was assessed using confocal microscopy. Results - Serosal BFT-2 for four hours was four-, two-, seven-, and threefold more potent than luminal BFT-2 in decreasing resistance, increasing epithelial 3H-mannitol permeability, and damaging crypt and surface colonocytes, respectively (p<0.05). Confocal microscopy showed reduced colonocyte F actin staining intensity after exposure to BFT-2. Conclusions - BFT-2 increases human colonic permeability and damages human colonic epithelial cells in vitro. These effects may be important in the development of diarrhoea and intestinal inflammation caused by B fragilis in vivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)504-510
Number of pages7
JournalGut
Volume44
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

Keywords

  • Actin filaments
  • B fragilis toxin
  • Morphometry
  • Toxin mediated colonocyte damage
  • Transepithelial resistance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bacteroides fragilis toxin 2 damages human colonic mucosa in vitro'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this