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Bacterial penetration across the blood-brain barrier during the development of neonatal meningitis
S H Huang1, M F Stins, K S Kim
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Abstract:
Bacterial pathogens may breach the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and invade the central nervous system through paracellular and/or transcellular mechanisms. Transcellular penetration, e.g., transcytosis across the BBB has been demonstrated for Escherichia coli K1, group B streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Citrobacter freundii and Streptococcus pneumonia strains. Genes contributing to invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells include E. coli K1 genes ompA, ibeA, ibeB, and yijP. Understanding the mechanisms of bacterial penetration across the BBB may help develop novel approaches to preventing bacterial meningitis.
Insights
Bacterial pathogens can invade the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) via transcellular or paracellular routes. Key genes in E. coli K1 facilitate this invasion, offering targets for preventing meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a serious central nervous system infection.
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from pathogens.
- Mechanisms of bacterial invasion across the BBB are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- To identify specific bacterial genes involved in crossing the BBB.
- To provide insights for developing novel strategies against bacterial meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on bacterial invasion of the BBB.
- Analysis of studies demonstrating transcellular and paracellular penetration mechanisms.
- Identification of bacterial strains and genes associated with BBB invasion.
Main Results:
- Bacterial pathogens utilize both paracellular and transcellular pathways to breach the BBB.
- Transcellular mechanisms, such as transcytosis, are employed by pathogens like Escherichia coli K1, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Listeria monocytogenes.
- Specific genes in E. coli K1, including ompA, ibeA, ibeB, and yijP, are implicated in the invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Understanding bacterial penetration mechanisms across the BBB is crucial for combating CNS infections.
- Targeting bacterial invasion factors may lead to new therapeutic approaches for bacterial meningitis.
- Further research into bacterial-BBB interactions can inform the development of preventative strategies.