Know more

Considered as a germ "sensitive" to the various stresses encountered during the production chain, Campylobacter is nevertheless able to survive throughout the food chain to reach the consumer's plate. Several research studies are thus directed towards quantifying the survival capacity of this pathogen. Within UMR SECALIM, the interregional BioMics project aimed to design an innovative methodology for researching stress biomarkers, coupling molecular methods of the transcriptomic type, phenotypic characterization and high-performance statistical methods (probabilistic models). The aim of the project was to predict the behavior of Campylobacter during the application of stress using these biomarkers.
The phenotypic characterization carried out within the framework of this project consists in evaluating the capacity of the bacteria to survive the stress incurred during food processing. The effect of stress on other responses such as bacterial virulence could also be appreciated.
Thus, following on from the BioMics project, the objective of this study is to assess the impact of stresses on the pathogenicity of the bacterium through the study of the host-pathogen interaction. The study of virulence will be carried out using the development of a multicellular model with monitoring of biomarkers indicative of the correct functioning of the system. This system is based on the co-culture of differentiated intestinal mucus-producing (HT29MTXE12) and non-mucus-producing (Caco-2) cells on Transwell-type inserts and macrophages, which will be positioned under the epithelial cells.This tool will be used to assess the response of Campylobacter to biotic and abiotic factors, while the partner unit located at Oniris, IECM (Cellular and Molecular Immuno-Endocrinology), will use it in the study of immune and inflammatory responses.
The stresses applied on Campylobacter will be of two types: (i) stresses inspired by the poultry slaughter process, and (ii) stresses that may be encountered by C. jejuni once ingested by humans. Thus, the effect of factors, such as the origin of the strains and the infectious dose will be investigated. The data thus obtained will then make it possible to refine the models for quantitative assessment of microbial risk (AQR), in particular the probability of infection.

Funding: MICA department from NRAE

Partners: IECM research unit, a unit under INRAE contract, present in Oniris and attached to the INRAE ​​Pays de la Loire Center, Oniris and Inserm 913 « Neuropathies of the enteric nervous system and digestive pathologies», Nantes