Defects in type III secretion correlate with internalization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Previous characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates has demonstrated an inverse correlation between cytotoxicity and internalization by epithelial cells. To further investigate this relationship, we tested PA103, a cytotoxic P. aeruginosa strain, and 33 isogenic noncytotoxic transposon mutants for internalization by Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The majority of the mutants were not internalized, demonstrating that an inverse correlation between cytotoxicity and bacterial uptake by epithelial cells is not absolute. Six of the noncytotoxic mutants, however, demonstrated measurable levels of internalization by standard aminoglycoside exclusion assays even though internalization of wild-type strain PA103 was not detectable. All six had evidence of protein secretion defects

SUBMITTER: Hauser AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC108068 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature