Rapidly dynamic host cell heterogeneity in bacterial adhesion governs susceptibility to infection by <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>

Abstract

infection among primary human vascular endothelial cells can be attributed entirely to robust, preexisting host cell heterogeneity in bacterial adhesion, and we find no evidence for significant heterogeneity in later steps of infection. High susceptibility to adhesion decays rapidly, within 30-60 min. Thus, rapidly fluctuating, nongenetic variability in bacterial adhesion diversifies susceptibility to infection, both among host cells and within individual cells over time.

Topics & Concepts