Differential in vitro pathogenicity of Photorhabdus bacterial species against two distinct insect cell lines

Understanding the mode of action of pathogenic bacteria through in vitro studies can provide additional insight into their infection strategies. Here we have characterized the effect of Photorhabdus luminescens and Photorhabdus asymbiotica on two distinct insect cell lines. We report that insect cell survival and metabolism as well as bacterial proliferation differ between infection with two Photorhabdus species. These findings reinforce the notion that P. luminescens and P. asymbiotica deploy diverse tactics to infect insect cells. This knowledge might lead to better appreciation of the interaction between pathogenic bacteria and different types of insect cells.