Enterohemorrhagic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (EHEC) disrupts intestinal barrier integrity in translational canine stem cell-derived monolayers

This study develops a new model to better understand Enterohemorrhagic <i>E. coli</i> (EHEC) infections, a serious bacterial disease affecting both dogs and humans, characterized by symptoms such as hemorrhagic diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Traditional research models have fallen short of mimicking how this disease manifests in patients. Our research used intestinal tissues from healthy dogs to create layers of cells, known as colonoid-derived monolayers, which we then exposed to EHEC. We assessed the damage caused by the bacteria using several techniques, observing significant changes similar to those seen in actual cases of the disease. The model proved effective in replicating the interaction between the host and the pathogen, marking an important step toward understanding EHEC's effects and developing treatments. This canine colonoid-derived monolayer system not only bridges a crucial gap in current research but also offers a promising platform for studying other enteric pathogens affecting both canine and human health.