Buret, AndreReti, Kristen2014-07-112014-07-112014Reti, K. (2014). Activation of latent Escherichia coli virulence factors by Campylobacter jejuni (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24690http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1622Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, and while typically self-limiting, C. jejuni infections are associated with post-infectious intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. This study sought to determine if C. jejuni induces virulence in commensal, non-invasive E. coli. Expression of adhesin, flagella, hemolysin, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance genes were increased in E. coli upon exposure to C. jejuni-conditioned media. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated E. coli was more adherent to human colonic epithelial cells when exposed to C. jejuni-conditioned media. C. jejuni and C. jejuni-conditioned media also induced E. coli flagella expression. In vitro, this altered E. coli phenotype disrupted TLR4 expression and induced IL-8 secretion. These data suggest C. jejuni and C. jejuni-conditioned media can induce virulence in non-invasive, commensal E. coli, and this contributes to host inflammation. These results provide a novel mechanism for post-infectious complications.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.MicrobiologyCampylobacterPost-infectiousInflammatory Bowel DiseaseIrritable Bowel Syndromemaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/24690