Characterization of an immortalized human vaginal epithelial cell line

Purpose: Adherence of type 1 piliated Escherichia coli to vaginal mucosa pl ays a major role in the pathogenesis of ascending urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Progress in understanding the mechanism of adherence to th e vaginal surface could be enhanced by the utilization of well-characterize d vaginal epithelial cells. The objective of this study was to immortalize vaginal epithelial cells and study their bacterial adherence properties. Materials and Methods: Primary vaginal cells were obtained from a normal po st-menopausal woman, immortalized by infection with E6/E7 genes from human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16) and cultured in serum free keratinocyte growth f actor medium. Results: Positive immunostaining with a pool of antibodies to cytokeratins 1, 5, 10 and 14 (K1, K5, K10 and K14) and to K13 confirmed the epithelial o rigin of these cells. The immortalized cells showed binding of type 1 pilia ted E. coli in a pill specific and mannose sensitive manner. Conclusion: This model system should facilitate studies on the interaction of pathogens with vaginal mucosal cells, an essential step in the progressi on of ascending UTIs in women.