Cytotoxic necrotizing factor-1 contributes to Escherichia coli K1 invasion of the central nervous system.

Escherichia coli K1 invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) is a prerequisite for penetration into the central nervous system and requires actin cytoskeletal rearrangements. Here, we demonstrate that E. coli K1 invasion of BMECs requires RhoA activation.