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National Agricultural Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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  4. In Vitro Studies of the Interaction Between Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia Coli and Human Intestinal Mucosa

In Vitro Studies of the Interaction Between Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia Coli and Human Intestinal Mucosa

Objective

Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli [EHEC] are a major risk to health yet the lack of a reproducible model system has slowed progress in studying their interaction with human intestine. We have established in vitro organ culture [IVOC] of human intestinal mucosa with EHEC O157:H7 in which attaching-effacing lesion formation is evident. Colonisation is targeted to follicle associated epithelium, a previously unrecognised phenomenon in EHEC. <P>

This system will allow us to:<OL> <LI> Study initial colonisation events in various EHEC strains in order to determine the pattern of tissue tropism and the factors involved; <LI>Assess Shiga toxin involvement during tissue colonisation; <LI>Detect unappreciated virulence factors using in vivo expression technology.

Institution
Imperial College - London
University College London
Start date
2001
End date
2004
Funding Source
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Project number
D13600
Categories
Escherichia coli
Viruses and Prions