Pathogenesis of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli

Future Microbiol. 2013 Oct;8(10):1289-300. doi: 10.2217/fmb.13.94.

Abstract

The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) is complex and involves both host susceptibility factors (i.e., the presence of particular genetic alleles) and environmental factors, including bacteria. In this regard, adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC), have recently emerged as an exciting potential etiological agent of CD. AIEC are distinguished from commensal strains of E. coli through their ability to adhere to and invade epithelial cells and replicate in macrophages. Recent molecular analyses have identified genes required for both invasion of epithelial cells and replication in the macrophage. However, these genetic studies, in combination with recent genome sequencing projects, have revealed that the pathogenesis of this group of bacteria cannot be explained by the presence of AIEC-specific genes. In this article, we review the role of AIEC as a pathobiont in the pathology of CD. We also describe the emerging link between AIEC and autophagy, and we propose a model for AIEC pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Adhesion*
  • Crohn Disease / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology