Transforming growth factor-beta increases Escherichia coli K1 adherence, invasion, and transcytosis in human brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Escherichia coli K1 traversal of the human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) that constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex process involving E. coli adherence to and invasion of HBMEC. In this study, we demonstrated that human transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-beta1) increases E.