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A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Published on: October 5, 2015
Scanning electron microscopy analysis of aged Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells
1School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA. johndahl@wsu.edu
Canadian Journal of Microbiology
|May 28, 2005
Summary
Modern scanning electron microscopy reveals new details about aging Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Aging cultures accumulate bleb-like structures and develop extracellular fibrils potentially aiding in cell adhesion.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Early electron microscopy studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) ultrastructure date back to the 1950s and 1960s.
- These historical studies often lack the high resolution achievable with modern techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the fine structure of M. tuberculosis using contemporary scanning electron microscopy.
- To identify novel ultrastructural features in aging M. tuberculosis cultures.
Main Methods:
- Culturing M. tuberculosis in a rich medium with continuous oxygen supply for several weeks.
- Utilizing advanced scanning electron microscopy for high-resolution imaging of bacterial ultrastructure.
Main Results:
- Accumulation of surface bleb-like structures observed in aging M. tuberculosis cultures.
- Development of extracellular fibrils in older M. tuberculosis cultures, a previously undocumented feature.
- These fibrils may play a role in the adherence of M. tuberculosis cells to surfaces and to each other.
Conclusions:
- Modern electron microscopy provides a clearer view of M. tuberculosis fine structure compared to historical studies.
- Aging M. tuberculosis cultures exhibit unique morphological changes, including blebs and extracellular fibrils.
- The identified extracellular fibrils suggest a potential mechanism for biofilm formation or cell aggregation in M. tuberculosis.
