A comparative analysis of the attachment of Leptospira interrogans and L. borgpetersenii to mammalian cells
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Updated: May 24, 2026
Immuno-fluorescence Assay of Leptospiral Surface-exposed Proteins
Published on: July 1, 2011
Gabrielle I Andrade1, Paul D Brown
1Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
Abstract:
Leptospirosis, the world's most ubiquitous zoonosis, is caused by pathogenic Leptospira. As microbe-host interactions are specific in pathogenesis, it is likely that there are several molecules mediating the attachment of the Leptospira to mammalian cells. In this study, we analysed the attachment of Leptospira interrogans serovar Portlandvere and Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Jules to untreated HEp-2 cells or HEp-2 cells treated with the various enzymes, lectins or sugars and to integrins αVβ3 and α5β1, relative to control wells. We found that both serovars bound equally well to HEp-2 cells; however, serovar Jules showed a higher level of attachment to integrins. Both serovars showed an increase in attachment to HEp-2 cells coated with lectins peanut agglutinin, Ulex europaeus agglutinin, soybean agglutinin and Erythrina cristagalli agglutinin (p < 0.05); in the case of Concanavalin A, Jules showed an increase, while Portlandvere showed a significant decrease in attachment. Trypsinizing monolayers resulted in a decrease in attachment for both serovars, while when chondroitinase, neuraminidase and heparinase were used an increase in attachment was recorded. Leptospires coated with sugars showed a decrease in attachment. These results show that serovar Jules' general greater affinity for the mediators examined may suggest a greater potential for virulence over serovar Portlandvere.
Insights
Leptospira attachment to host cells involves specific molecular interactions. Serovar Jules demonstrated higher affinity for certain host cell mediators, suggesting greater virulence potential compared to serovar Portlandvere.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria.
- Understanding the specific molecular mechanisms of Leptospira attachment to host cells is crucial for elucidating pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential attachment of Leptospira interrogans serovar Portlandvere and Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Jules to host cells and specific cellular mediators.
- To identify host cell molecules involved in Leptospira adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Assessing the attachment of L. interrogans serovar Portlandvere and L. borgpetersenii serovar Jules to HEp-2 cells.
- Evaluating attachment to HEp-2 cells treated with enzymes (trypsin, chondroitinase, neuraminidase, heparinase), lectins, and sugars.
- Analyzing binding to integrins αVβ3 and α5β1.
Main Results:
- Both Leptospira serovars attached equally to untreated HEp-2 cells, but serovar Jules showed higher affinity for integrins.
- Attachment increased with lectins (peanut agglutinin, Ulex europaeus agglutinin, soybean agglutinin, Erythrina cristagalli agglutinin) and decreased with trypsin treatment.
- Enzymes like chondroitinase, neuraminidase, and heparinase increased attachment, while sugars decreased it.
Conclusions:
- Leptospira attachment is mediated by specific interactions with host cell surface molecules.
- Serovar Jules exhibits a broader affinity for tested mediators, indicating a potentially higher virulence than serovar Portlandvere.
