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Bartonella quintana variably expressed outer membrane proteins mediate vascular endothelial growth factor secretion

Berit Schulte1, Dirk Linke, Sandra Klumpp

  • 1Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 6, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.

Infection and Immunity
|August 24, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Bartonella quintana

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bartonella quintana is a human pathogen causing trench fever and other diseases.
  • The interaction of B. quintana with host cells remains poorly understood.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction of Bartonella quintana with human macrophages (THP-1) and epithelial cells (HeLa 229).
  • To identify bacterial factors involved in host cell response.
  • To elucidate the role of variable outer membrane proteins (Vomps) in B. quintana pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of THP-1 and HeLa 229 cells with different B. quintana strains.
  • Measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion.
  • Immunofluorescence testing and electron microscopy to detect Vomp expression.
  • Assessment of bacterial adherence to host cells.

Main Results:

  • Only B. quintana strain JK-31 induced significant VEGF secretion from host cells.
  • Vomp-negative B. quintana strains did not induce VEGF secretion.
  • VEGF induction by B. quintana JK-31 was not associated with increased host cell adherence.
  • Vomps were identified on the surface of VEGF-inducing B. quintana strains.

Conclusions:

  • Variable outer membrane proteins (Vomps) of B. quintana play a key role in inducing angiogenic reprogramming of host cells.
  • Vomps are involved in stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion.
  • Vomps do not appear to be involved in the adherence of B. quintana to host cells.

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