Faculty Collaboration Database

Leptospira interrogans binds to human cell surface receptors including proteoglycans. Infect Immun 2009 Dec;77(12):5528-36 PMID: 19805539 PMCID: PMC2786458

Pubmed ID

19805539

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a global public health problem, primarily in the tropical developing world. The pathogenic mechanisms of the causative agents, several members of the genus Leptospira, have been underinvestigated. The exception to this trend has been the demonstration of the binding of pathogenic leptospires to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its components. In this work, interactions of Leptospira interrogans bacteria with mammalian cells, rather than the ECM, were examined. The bacteria bound more efficiently to the cells than to the ECM, and a portion of this cell-binding activity was attributable to attachment to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains of proteoglycans (PGs). Chondroitin sulfate B PGs appeared to be the primary targets of L. interrogans attachment, while heparan sulfate PGs were much less important. Inhibition of GAG/PG-mediated attachment resulted in partial inhibition of bacterial attachment, suggesting that additional receptors for L. interrogans await identification. GAG binding may participate in the pathogenesis of leptospirosis within the host animal. In addition, because GAGs are expressed on the luminal aspects of epithelial cells in the proximal tubules of the kidneys, this activity may play a role in targeting the bacteria to this critical site. Because GAGs are shed in the urine, GAG binding may also be important for transmission to new hosts through the environment.

Author List

Breiner DD, Fahey M, Salvador R, Novakova J, Coburn J

Author

Jenifer Coburn PhD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

Scopus

2-s2.0-72449201064   31 Citations

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Bacterial Adhesion
Cell Line
Cricetinae
Cricetulus
Dermatan Sulfate
Dogs
Heparitin Sulfate
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Leptospira interrogans
Proteoglycans
Receptors, Cell Surface