Kefiran protects Caco-2 cells from cytopathic effects induced by Bacillus cereus infection

MEDRANO, M.; HAMET M F; ABRAHAM A G; PÉREZ P. F.

ANTON LEEUW INT. J. G.

SPRINGER

Año: 2009 vol. 96 p. 505 - 513

0003-6072

The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of kefiran to antagonize cytopathic effectstriggered by Bacillus cereus strain B10502 on cultured human enterocytes (Caco-2 cells). Celldamage was evaluated by F-actin labelling, scanning electron microscopy and determination of ratios of necrotic and detached cells. To assess the interaction between kefiran and bacteria or eukaryotic cells, flow cytometric analysis was conducted with FITClabelled kefiran. Kefiran significantly protected infected cells from cytopathic effects induced by B. cereus such as cell necrosis, F-actin disorganisation and microvilli effacement, although presence of kefiran did not modify the adhesion of microorganisms to cultured human enterocytes. Results could be ascribed to the ability of kefiran to interact with both bacteria and eukaryotic cells thus antagonizing interactions necessary for maximal biological effects. Our findings encourage further research on the use of bacterial exopolysaccharides to antagonize virulence factors associated to direct bacteria–cell interactions.