Early invasion of the bladder wall by solitary bacteria protects UPEC from antibiotics and neutrophil swarms in an organoid model

Cell Rep. 2021 Jul 20;36(3):109351. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109351.

Abstract

Recurrence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infections has been attributed to reactivation of quiescent intracellular reservoirs (QIRs) in deep layers of the bladder wall. QIRs are thought to arise late during infection following dispersal of bacteria from intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) in superficial umbrella cells. Here, we track the formation of QIR-like bacteria in a bladder organoid model that recapitulates the stratified uroepithelium within a volume suitable for high-resolution live-cell imaging. Bacteria injected into the organoid lumen enter umbrella-like cells and proliferate to form IBC-like bodies. In parallel, single bacteria penetrate deeper layers of the organoid wall, where they localize within or between uroepithelial cells. These "solitary" bacteria evade killing by antibiotics and neutrophils and are morphologically distinct from bacteria in IBCs. We conclude that bacteria with QIR-like properties may arise at early stages of infection, independent of IBC formation and rupture.

Keywords: IBCs; QIRs; UPEC; antibiotic persistence; bladder organoids; intracellular bacterial colonies; neutrophils; quiescent intracellular reservoirs; serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM); time-lapse microscopy; uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microbial Viability / drug effects
  • Models, Biological*
  • Movement
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / pathology*
  • Organoids / drug effects
  • Organoids / microbiology*
  • Organoids / ultrastructure
  • Urinary Bladder / microbiology*
  • Urinary Bladder / pathology
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents