Enteropathogenic <i>E. coli</i> shows delayed attachment and host response in human jejunum organoid‐derived monolayers compared to <scp>HeLa</scp> cells

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) attaches to host intestinal epithelial cells, resulting in severe illness and diarrhoea. Different cell models have been used to study EPEC infection, but a direct comparison of infection of cell lines and primary cells is lacking. In this study, we compare EPEC infection in primary epithelial cells with HeLa cells. Jejunal organoid-derived cells contain differentiated intestinal epithelial cells and form a tight monolayer. Upon infection, they retain integrity over longer time periods than HeLa cells. Attachment of EPEC to host cells and innate immune response is strongly delayed in organoid-derived monolayers. These results indicate that host cell factors determine the outcome of infection. Future identification of these host factors will aid the development of new therapeutics.