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Leptospiral attachment to extracellular matrix of mouse fibroblast (L929) cells
1Department of Hygiene and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract:
The attachment of leptospires to the extracellular matrix (ECM) remaining after mouse fibroblast (L929) cells on coverslips had been solubilized with Triton X-100 was examined. Each highly virulent line of Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni, canicola and pomona attached to ECM more effectively than intermediately virulent and avirulent lines of the same strains, suggesting a correlation between virulence and attachment to ECM. Inhibition of the attachment of highly virulent copenhageni to ECM was found in the presence of the homologous immunoglobulin G Fab fragment.
Insights
Highly virulent Leptospira strains attach better to the extracellular matrix (ECM) than less virulent ones. This attachment can be inhibited by specific immunoglobulin G Fab fragments, suggesting a role in leptospiral infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pathogen-Host Interactions
- Extracellular Matrix Biology
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria.
- The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a role in tissue structure and pathogen adhesion.
- Understanding pathogen attachment mechanisms is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attachment of Leptospira interrogans to the host's extracellular matrix (ECM).
- To determine if bacterial virulence correlates with ECM attachment.
- To explore potential inhibition mechanisms for Leptospira attachment to ECM.
Main Methods:
- Mouse fibroblast (L929) cells were cultured on coverslips and solubilized to create an ECM.
- Highly virulent, intermediately virulent, and avirulent strains of Leptospira interrogans (serovars copenhageni, canicola, pomona) were incubated with the ECM.
- The attachment efficiency of different Leptospira strains to the ECM was quantified.
- The effect of homologous immunoglobulin G Fab fragments on the attachment of highly virulent L. interrogans copenhageni to ECM was assessed.
Main Results:
- Highly virulent strains of Leptospira interrogans (serovars copenhageni, canicola, and pomona) demonstrated significantly greater attachment to the ECM compared to intermediately virulent and avirulent strains.
- A positive correlation was observed between the virulence of Leptospira strains and their ability to attach to the ECM.
- The presence of homologous immunoglobulin G Fab fragments effectively inhibited the attachment of highly virulent L. interrogans copenhageni to the ECM.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial virulence in Leptospira interrogans is associated with enhanced attachment to the host's extracellular matrix.
- The ECM serves as a significant attachment substrate for virulent Leptospira strains.
- Immunoglobulin G Fab fragments targeting specific bacterial components show potential for inhibiting Leptospira ECM attachment, suggesting therapeutic implications.