Short Chain Fatty Acids Alter HEp-2 Cell Association and Invasion by Stationary Growth Phase Salmonella Typhimurium

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We examined the ability of stationary phase Salmonella typhimurium to adhere and invade cultured HEp-2 cells after growth in broth supplemented with acetate, propionate, butyrate, or a mixture of the three short chain fatty acids (SCFA). At pH 6, all concentrations, except 25 and 50 mM butyrate, reduced cell-association of S. typhimurium when compared to controls, while at pH 7 only 100 mM concentrations of acetate and butyrate reduced cell-association significantly. Invasion percentages were greater for S. typhimurium grown at an initial pH of 6 with 25 mM acetate when compared to controls, SCFA mixture, and all other single SCFA concentration combinations. At pH 7, invasion was greater with either the SCFA mixture or 25 or 50 mM acetate than with control and all other single SCFA concentration combinations.