SummaryFew data exist on the interaction of Campylobacter upsaliensis with host cells, and the potential for this emerging enteropathogen to invade epithelial cells has not been explored. We have characterized the ability of C. upsaliensis to invade both cultured epithelial cell lines and primary human small intestinal cells. Epithelial cell lines of intestinal origin appeared to be more susceptible to invasion than nonintestinal-derived cells. Of three bacterial isolates studied, a human clinical isolate, CU1887, entered cells most efficiently. Although there was a trend towards more efficient invasion of Caco-2 cells by C. upsaliensis CU1887 at lower initial inocula, actual numbers of intracellular organisms increased with increasing multiplicity of infection and with prolonged incubation period. Confocal microscopy revealed C. upsaliensis within primary human small intestinal cells. Both Caco-2 and primary cells in non-confluent areas of the infected monolayers were substantially more susceptible to infection than confluent cells. The specific cytoskeletal inhibitors cytochalasin B, cytochalasin D and vinblastine attenuated invasion of Caco-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, providing evidence for both microtubule-and microfilament-dependent uptake of C. upsaliensis . Electron microscopy revealed the presence of organisms within Caco-2 cell cytoplasmic vacuoles. C. upsaliensis is capable of invading epithelial cells and appears to interact with host cell cytoskeletal structures in order to gain entry to the intracellular environment. Entry into cultured primary intestinal cells ex vivo provides strong support for the role of host cell invasion during human enteric C. upsaliensis infection.

Campylobacter upsaliensis is an emerging human enteropathogen. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of C. upsaliensis infection. In this study the authors demonstrate that C. upsaliensis whole-cell preparations and extracts produce a cytolethal distending toxin (CDT)-like effect on HeLa cells characterized by progressive distension and nuclear fragmentation culminating in cell death over 5 d. To further delineate the nature of this toxic effect in relation to CDT from other pathogens, the effect of C. upsaliensis on cellular events in epithelial cells and immunocytes was investigated. C. upsaliensis lysate-treated HeLa cells subjected to FACScan analysis using carboxyfluorescein diacetete succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) as a cell tracer demonstrated cell division arrest. Propidium iodide (PI) staining of HeLa cells revealed that cell cycle arrest occurred in G 2 /M. Human T lymphocytes exposed to C. upsaliensis lysates also showed cell cycle arrest in G 2 /M. Using a combination of Annexin V/PI staining and TUNEL assay, cytodistended HeLa cells were shown to undergo apoptotic cell death. These data provide the first insights into the virulence mechanisms of this novel enteropathogen.