Pseudomonas aeruginosa interacts with epithelial cells rapidly forming aggregates that are internalized by a Lyn-dependent mechanism

Lepanto, P., Bryant, D. M. , Rossello, J., Datta, A., Mostov, K. E. and Kierbel, A. (2011) Pseudomonas aeruginosa interacts with epithelial cells rapidly forming aggregates that are internalized by a Lyn-dependent mechanism. Cellular Microbiology, 13(8), pp. 1212-1222. (doi: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01611.x)

Abstract

Growing evidence is pointing to the importance of multicellular bacterial structures in the interaction of pathogenic bacteria with their host. Transition from planktonic to host cell-associated multicellular structures is an essential infection step that has not been described for the opportunistic human pathogen <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. In this study we show that <i>P. aeruginosa</i> interacts with the surface of epithelial cells mainly forming aggregates. Dynamics of aggregate formation typically follow a sigmoidal curve. First, a single bacterium attaches at cell-cell junctions. This is followed by rapid recruitment of free-swimming bacteria and association of bacterial cells resulting in the formation of an aggregate on the order of minutes. Aggregates are associated with phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3)-enriched host cell membrane protrusions. We further show that aggregates can be rapidly internalized into epithelial cells. Lyn, a member of the Src family tyrosine kinases previously implicated in <i>P. aeruginosa</i> infection, mediates both PIP3-enriched protrusion formation and aggregate internalization. Our results establish the first framework of principles that define <i>P. aeruginosa</i> transition to multicellular structures during interaction with host cells.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bryant, Dr David
• Authors: Lepanto, P., Bryant, D. M., Rossello, J., Datta, A., Mostov, K. E., and Kierbel, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Cellular Microbiology
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing
• ISSN: 1462-5814
• ISSN (Online): 1462-5822