Cross-talk between E. coli strains and a human colorectal adenocarcinoma-derived cell line

• DOI: 10.1038/srep03416
• Publication Date: 2013-12-04T10:06:30Z
• Authors: Xuan He; Darya O. Mishchuk; Jigna Shah; Bart C. Weimer; Carolyn M. Slupsky
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Tumor; Citric Acid Cycle; Adenocarcinoma; Article; Coculture Techniques; Cell Line; 03 medical and health sciences; Infectious Diseases; Cell Line, Tumor; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Escherichia coli; 2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment; 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors; Humans; Lactic Acid; Aetiology; Caco-2 Cells; Digestive Diseases; Infection; Colorectal Neoplasms

Although there is great interest in the specific mechanisms of how gut microbiota modulate the biological processes of the human host, the extent of host-microbe interactions and the bacteria-specific metabolic activities for survival in the co-evolved gastrointestinal environment remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate a comprehensive comparison of the host epithelial response induced by either a pathogenic or commensal strain of Escherichia coli using a multi-omics approach. We show that Caco-2 cells incubated with E. coli display an activation of defense response genes associated with oxidative stress. Indeed, in the bacteria co-culture system, the host cells experience an altered environment compared with the germ-free system that includes reduced pH, depletion of major energy substrates, and accumulation of fermentation by-products. Measurement of intracellular Caco-2 cell metabolites revealed a significantly increased lactate concentration, as well as changes in TCA cycle intermediates. Our results will lead to a deeper understanding of acute microbial-host interactions.