Anti-Adhesive Effect of ZnO Nanoparticles Against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Bladder Epithelial Cell Cultures and on fimH Gene Expression

Abstract

Background: One of the most important causes of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the world is uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). The first necessary step for establishing UTI is the attachment and invasion of UPEC to the urinary tract epithelial cells. Objectives: In this study, we assessed the anti-adhesion activity of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) against UPEC in T24 cell cultures and the effect of these particles on the fimH gene expression by real-time PCR method. Methods: Toxicity of ZnO NPs was measured with MTT test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed by agar dilution method. Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration for the three UPEC strains that were used in this study were 1250 µg.mL-1. Our results showed that the IC50 of ZnO NPs for the T24-cells was 19.53 µg.mL-1 and 0.3 µg.mL-1 is a nontoxic concentration for this cell line. These low concentrations of ZnO suspensions showed 28.77 to 44.71% decrease in the attachment of UPEC to the T24 cells and also could decrease the expression of fimH gene in UPEC. Conclusions: This study showed the anti-adhesive effect of ZnO suspension against UPEC adhesion to the T24 cells and decreased fimH gene expression are seen in these low concentrations of ZnO suspensions.