Enteropathogenic E. coli shows delayed attachment and host response in human jejunum organoid-derived monolayers compared to HeLa cells.

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) attaches to host intestinal epithelial cells, resulting in severe illness and diarrhoea. Different cell models have been used to study EPEC infection, but a direct comparison of infection of cell lines and primary cells is lacking. In this study, we compare EPEC infection in primary epithelial cells with HeLa cells. Jejunal organoid-derived cells contain differentiated intestinal epithelial cells and form a tight monolayer. Upon infection, they retain integrity over longer time periods than HeLa cells. Attachment of EPEC to host cells and innate immune response is strongly delayed in organoid-derived monolayers. These results indicate that host cell factors determine the outcome of infection. Future identification of these host factors will aid the development of new therapeutics.