Transcellular translocation of Campylobacter jejuni across human polarised epithelial monolayers.

The mechanisms whereby Campylobacter jejuni translocates across the host intestinal epithelium are not yet understood and the transepithelial route remains undefined. During C. jejuni translocation, the transmonolayer electrical resistance (TER) across polarised monolayers of Caco-2 cells is not affected and the penetration of [(14)C]inulin across the monolayers does not increase. Over 24 h, however, bacteria damage the monolayer integrity, causing a decrease in the TER. These results support C. jejuni translocation through the cytoplasm of invaded cells (transcellular) rather than via intercellular spaces (paracellular).