Induction of heat shock gene expression in colonic epithelial cells after incubation with Escherichia coli or endotoxin

Abstract

These results demonstrate that bacteria and/or bacterial products induce the heat shock gene expression in Caco-2 cells. Since intestinal epithelial cells are constantly in contact with bacteria and bacterial products, we speculate that the heat shock gene expression may be part of the natural mechanism of protection for these cells in the potentially harmful environment that may be present in the intestinal tract.