Host-pathogen interactions in Vibrio vulnificus: responses of monocytes and vascular endothelial cells to live bacteria

Aim: To demonstrate that Vibrio vulnificus, a sepsis-related aquatic pathogen, can provoke a strong pro-inflammatory reaction in blood-associated target cells. Materials & methods: We selected two strains of the two main phylogenetic lineages, two human cell lines, monocytes and vascular endothelial cells and designed an in vitro infection model simulating early septicemia. Results: Both strains caused a strong cell-specific proinflammatory response and produced a high degree of cell damage that ended with death by lysis (endothelial cells) or apoptosis/lysis (monocytes). The interaction with endothelial cells was stronger than expected and significantly different for both lineages. Conclusion: The early interaction with endothelial cells could have a direct role in sepsis and could explain, at least partially, the differences in pathogenicity between both lineages.