Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge. Specific strains of Escherichia coli elaborating virulence factors, including cyclomodulins and colibactin, have been increasingly implicated in CRC pathogenesis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of g...

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Main Authors: Taghi Amiriani 1, Behnoush Khasheii2, Samin Zamanii3, Mousa Ghelichi-Ghojogh4, Ailar Jamalli3*
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pasteur Institute of Iran 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-691-en.html
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author Taghi Amiriani 1
Behnoush Khasheii2
Samin Zamanii3
Mousa Ghelichi-Ghojogh4
Ailar Jamalli3*
author_facet Taghi Amiriani 1
Behnoush Khasheii2
Samin Zamanii3
Mousa Ghelichi-Ghojogh4
Ailar Jamalli3*
author_sort Taghi Amiriani 1
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge. Specific strains of Escherichia coli elaborating virulence factors, including cyclomodulins and colibactin, have been increasingly implicated in CRC pathogenesis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of genes encoding these toxins, namely cnf1, cdtB-I, and clbB, alongside genes associated with biofilm formation, csgA and flu, in clinical E. coli isolates from patients diagnosed with CRC or precancerous lesions. Methods: A total of 44 E. coli isolates were obtained from colorectal tissue biopsies of patients diagnosed with CRC or precancerous polyps, and from healthy controls. PCR was employed to screen for the presence of the toxin-encoding genes cnf1, cdtB-I, and clbB, as well as the biofilm-associated genes csgA and flu. Biofilm formation was assessed quantitatively utilizing a standard microtiter plate assay. Results: The toxin-encoding genes cnf1 and cdtB-I were each detected in 14 isolates (31.8%) across all study groups (CRC, polyp, and healthy controls). In contrast, the clbB gene was identified in 5 isolates (11.4%), exclusively within the polyp and healthy control groups. The biofilm-associated genes csgA and flu exhibited the highest prevalence, being detected in 41 (93.2%) and 22 (50.0%) isolates, respectively, across all groups. Notably, none of the tested isolates demonstrated biofilm formation capability under the experimental conditions employed. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the presence of the cdtB-I gene in E. coli isolates from both early-stage CRC (stages I and II), with a notably higher prevalence in stage I. Furthermore, cdtB-I was also detected in precancerous polyps classified as both high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and lowgrade dysplasia (LGD). Intriguingly, the clbB gene was conspicuously absent from all CRC isolates of stages I and II. These findings suggest a potential role for cdtB-I in the early stages of CRC development, warranting further research to elucidate its precise impact on the progression of CRC. The presence of these virulence-associated genes, without significant differences across groups, underscores the complexity of E. coli's involvement in colorectal carcinogenesis.
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spelling doaj-art-e5b78fc976b64100b2e600c7585a6c682025-08-20T02:05:46ZengPasteur Institute of IranJournal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases2345-53492345-53302025-03-01131394910.61186/JoMMID.13.1.39Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous LesionsTaghi Amiriani 10https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7750-0367Behnoush Khasheii21https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2981-9090Samin Zamanii32https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7503-7228Mousa Ghelichi-Ghojogh43https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0726-5509Ailar Jamalli3*4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4612-81441Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran2Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University Hamedan, Iran3Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran4Children’s Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran3Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IranIntroduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge. Specific strains of Escherichia coli elaborating virulence factors, including cyclomodulins and colibactin, have been increasingly implicated in CRC pathogenesis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of genes encoding these toxins, namely cnf1, cdtB-I, and clbB, alongside genes associated with biofilm formation, csgA and flu, in clinical E. coli isolates from patients diagnosed with CRC or precancerous lesions. Methods: A total of 44 E. coli isolates were obtained from colorectal tissue biopsies of patients diagnosed with CRC or precancerous polyps, and from healthy controls. PCR was employed to screen for the presence of the toxin-encoding genes cnf1, cdtB-I, and clbB, as well as the biofilm-associated genes csgA and flu. Biofilm formation was assessed quantitatively utilizing a standard microtiter plate assay. Results: The toxin-encoding genes cnf1 and cdtB-I were each detected in 14 isolates (31.8%) across all study groups (CRC, polyp, and healthy controls). In contrast, the clbB gene was identified in 5 isolates (11.4%), exclusively within the polyp and healthy control groups. The biofilm-associated genes csgA and flu exhibited the highest prevalence, being detected in 41 (93.2%) and 22 (50.0%) isolates, respectively, across all groups. Notably, none of the tested isolates demonstrated biofilm formation capability under the experimental conditions employed. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the presence of the cdtB-I gene in E. coli isolates from both early-stage CRC (stages I and II), with a notably higher prevalence in stage I. Furthermore, cdtB-I was also detected in precancerous polyps classified as both high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and lowgrade dysplasia (LGD). Intriguingly, the clbB gene was conspicuously absent from all CRC isolates of stages I and II. These findings suggest a potential role for cdtB-I in the early stages of CRC development, warranting further research to elucidate its precise impact on the progression of CRC. The presence of these virulence-associated genes, without significant differences across groups, underscores the complexity of E. coli's involvement in colorectal carcinogenesis.https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-691-en.htmle. colicolorectal neoplasmscyclomodulincolibactinbiofilm formation
spellingShingle Taghi Amiriani 1
Behnoush Khasheii2
Samin Zamanii3
Mousa Ghelichi-Ghojogh4
Ailar Jamalli3*
Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
e. coli
colorectal neoplasms
cyclomodulin
colibactin
biofilm formation
title Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions
title_full Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions
title_fullStr Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions
title_full_unstemmed Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions
title_short Cyclomodulins, Colibactin, and Biofilm-Associated Genes in E. coli from Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Lesions
title_sort cyclomodulins colibactin and biofilm associated genes in e coli from colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions
topic e. coli
colorectal neoplasms
cyclomodulin
colibactin
biofilm formation
url https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-691-en.html
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