ACTIN ACCUMULATION AT SITES OF ATTACHMENT OF INDIGENOUS APATHOGENIC SEGMENTED FILAMENTOUS BACTERIA TO MOUSE ILEAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Selective attachment of indigenous, apathogenic, segmented filamentous bacteria to follicle-associated epithelia of terminal ileal Peyer's p atches involves both the specialized M cells and normal enterocytes. A striking, highly localized cytoplasmic accumulation of polymerized ac tin, which resembles that associated with adherence of enteropathogeni c Escherichia coli to cultured epithelial cells, occurs at attachment sites of segmented filamentous bacteria. The epithelial response to th e attachment of microorganisms may thus involve mechanisms which are t he same for diverse microorganisms.