Association of IBS-associated E. coli strains with epithelial inflammatory responses and tight junction dysregulation in Caco-2 cells.

OBJECTIVE

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) presents with symptoms of pain, abdominal discomfort, and altered bowel habits. Changes in the intestinal microbiota, including an increase in Enterobacteriaceae like E. coli, have been associated with IBS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IBS-associated E. coli strains on epithelial inflammatory responses, tight junction-related gene expression, and Toll-like receptor regulation in Caco-2 cells.

RESULTS

Results showed that IBS-associated E. coli strains exhibited significantly higher invasion activity and increased production of IL-8 and TNF-α compared to H-E. coli. Furthermore, IBS-associated E. coli strains upregulated TLR-4 and TLR-5 expression and reduced the expression of tight junction proteins.