Human Insulin Modulation of Escherichia Coli Adherence and Chemotaxis‪.‬

Abstract: Escherichia coli exhibited increased hydrophobicity and mannose-resistant epithelial cell adherence after growth in the presence of human insulin (2 [micro]U [mL.sup.-1] or 200 [micro]U[mL.sup.-1] insulin, respectively) with glucose (100 mg [dL.sup.-1]). Capsule production and hemagglutination were unaffected by insulin and glucose. Chemotactic attraction to glucose as compared to insulin or glucose alone was enhanced by the presence of insulin. Insulin alone (200 [micro]U [mL.sup.-1]) was a chemorepellent and inhibited flagellar tethering to glass. These findings indicate that human insulin can modulate E. coli's expression of factors associated with pathogenesis in a manner that is modifiable by the presence of glucose. Key words: Human insulin, uropathogenic E. coli, adherence, chemotaxis