Observation of enterovirulent bacteria adhering to the brush border of cultured human fully differentiated colon cancer cells. Observation of enterovirulent bacteria adhering to the brush border of cultured human fully differentiated colon cancer cells. (A) Scanning and transmission electron microscopy micrographs show interaction of CFA/I-positive ETEC with microvilli of fully differentiated parental Caco-2 cells (immunolabeling reveals the ETEC fimbrial adhesins mediating attachment), EAEC bacteria forming clusters of bacteria at the brush border of fully differentiated parental Caco-2 cells, interaction of AIEC with microvilli of fully differentiated Caco-2/TC7 clone cells, and typical, well-formed and compact tEPEC microcolonies at the brush borders of fully differentiated HT-29 Glc−/+, parental Caco-2, and T84 cells. (B) Transmission electron microscopy micrographs show the diffuse adhesion of Afa/Dr DAECDAF/CEACAM on the brush border of fully differentiated Caco-2/TC7 clone cells. Note that a single bacterium attracted numerous microvilli. (C) Confocal laser scanning microscopy examination of immunofluorescence labeling micrographs shows the receptor clustering around Afa/Dr DAECDAF/CEACAM bacteria adhering onto the brush border of fully differentiated Caco-2/TC7 clone cells. Double-immunofluorescence labeling is with anti-DAF antibody (green) and anti-Dr adhesin antibody (red). (The three tEPEC micrographs in panel A are reprinted from reference 467 with permission from the International Society of Differentiation; the micrographs in panel B are reproduced from reference 875 with permission from BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.) Vanessa Liévin-Le Moal, and Alain L. Servin Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 2013; doi:10.1128/MMBR.00064-12