Abstract
ABSTRACTThe nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has become a model system for studying the disease interaction between pathogens and the host. To determine whether the transparent nematode could serve as a useful model for Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis (MAH) infection of the intestinal tract, worms were fed MAH and assayed for the effects of the bacterial infection on the worm. It was observed during feeding that viable MAH increases in the intestinal lumen in a time dependent manner. Ingestion of MAH was deemed non-toxic to worms as MAH-fed populations have similar survival curves to those fed E. coli strain OP50. Pulse-chase analysis using E. coli strain OP50 revealed that MAH colonize the intestinal tract, as viable MAH remain within the intestine after the assay. Visualization of intestinal MAH using histology and transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that MAH localizes to the intestinal lumen, as well as establishes direct contact with intestinal epithelium. Bacterial colonization appears to have a detrimental effect on the microvilli of the intestinal epithelial cells. The MAH ΔGPL/4B2 strain with a mutation in glycopeptidolipid production is deficient in binding to human epithelial cells (HEp-2), as well as deficient in its ability to bind to and colonize the intestinal tract of C. elegans as efficiently as wild-type MAH. These data indicate the C. elegans may serve as a useful model system for MAH pathogenesis and in determining the mechanisms used by MAH during infection and colonization of the intestinal epithelium.
Highlights
Caenorhabditis elegans is a ubiquitous nematode which lives in soil and feeds on bacteria
C. elegans has been illustrated as an extremely useful model system used to study a variety of research questions from genetics and cell biology aspects, to pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions
The manipulation and use of C. elegans is simple, inexpensive, and there are a variety of tools available for studying the processes occurring within the host
Summary
Caenorhabditis elegans is a ubiquitous nematode which lives in soil and feeds on bacteria. Due to its transparent nature, simple and streamlined body structure, and its defined genome, C. elegans has become a widely used model organism for studying genetics, immunology, and host-pathogen interactions. The intestinal epithelium of C. elegans and human intestinal epithelial cells are quite similar, sharing comparable morphology, structure, and function, which includes acting as a first defense against invading pathogenic bacteria. The ease of use of the nematode and the array of tools available make it a desirable candidate as a model system of other human pathogens of interest
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