Listeria monocytogenes infection of Caco-2 human epithelial cells induces activation of transcription factor NF-κB/Rel-like DNA binding activities

The effect of Listeria monocytogenes infection on the cellular level of transcription factor NF-kappa B in the human epithelia-like cell line Caco-2 was investigated. Infection with L. monocytogenes or treatment with lipoteichoic acid induced the formation of three NF-kappa B-like DNA-protein complexes C1, C2, and C3, which were identified as containing either, RelA and p50, RelB and p50, or p50, respectively. NF-kappa B activation in L. monocytogenes-infected Caco-2 cells was distinct from NF-kappa B activation in infected P388D(1) macrophages concerning the NF-kappa B complexes formed and the kinetics of the induction. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.