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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins
10:47

Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins

Published on: July 1, 2011

Leptospira interrogans binds to human cell surface receptors including proteoglycans

Deborah D Breiner1, Mark Fahey, Ryan Salvador

  • 1Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology, Tufts University Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Infection and Immunity
|October 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Leptospira interrogans bacteria bind efficiently to mammalian cells, particularly to chondroitin sulfate B proteoglycans. This glycosaminoglycan binding may be crucial for leptospirosis pathogenesis and transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogenesis
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Leptospirosis is a significant global health issue, especially in tropical regions.
  • The pathogenic mechanisms of Leptospira, the bacteria causing leptospirosis, are not fully understood.
  • Previous research highlighted Leptospira's interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interactions between Leptospira interrogans and mammalian cells.
  • To identify specific bacterial binding targets on host cells.
  • To explore the role of these interactions in disease development and transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Examined the binding of Leptospira interrogans to mammalian cells and ECM components.
  • Investigated the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) in bacterial attachment.
  • Assessed the impact of inhibiting GAG/PG-mediated attachment on bacterial binding.

Main Results:

  • Leptospira interrogans exhibited higher binding efficiency to mammalian cells compared to the ECM.
  • A significant portion of cell-binding activity was mediated by attachment to GAG chains of PGs.
  • Chondroitin sulfate B PGs were identified as primary attachment targets, while heparan sulfate PGs were less important.
  • Inhibiting GAG/PG attachment partially reduced overall bacterial attachment, indicating other receptors exist.

Conclusions:

  • Leptospira interrogans binding to mammalian cell GAGs, especially chondroitin sulfate B PGs, is a key interaction.
  • This GAG binding may contribute to leptospirosis pathogenesis by targeting bacteria to host tissues like the kidneys.
  • GAG binding could also facilitate environmental transmission of Leptospira through urine.

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