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Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana adherence to and entry into cultured human epithelial cells
H J Batterman1, J A Peek, J S Loutit
1Department of Medicine, Stanford University, California 94305, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|November 1, 1995
Abstract:
Bartonella henselae expresses pili phenotypically similar to type 4 pili. B. henselae pilus expression undergoes phase variation with multiple passages. Low-passage-number, piliated B. henselae adhered to and invaded HEp-2 cells to a greater extent than did multiply passaged B. henselae with reduced pilus expression. Pili may be a pathogenic determinant for Bartonella species.
Insights
Bartonella henselae uses pili, similar to type 4 pili, for cell adhesion and invasion. Reduced pilus expression in passaged bacteria decreases these pathogenic traits.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bartonella henselae is a facultative intracellular bacterium.
- Pili are hair-like appendages involved in bacterial adhesion and invasion.
- Type 4 pili are a class of protein appendages found in various bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of pili in Bartonella henselae adhesion and invasion.
- To examine the effect of pilus expression phase variation on bacterial virulence.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic characterization of Bartonella henselae pili.
- Assessing bacterial adhesion and invasion of HEp-2 cells.
- Comparing low-passage and multiply-passaged bacterial strains.
Main Results:
- Bartonella henselae expresses pili resembling type 4 pili.
- Pilus expression exhibits phase variation with increased bacterial passages.
- Low-passage, piliated bacteria showed enhanced adhesion and invasion compared to high-passage bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Pili are likely a key virulence factor for Bartonella henselae.
- Phase variation of pilus expression influences Bartonella henselae's ability to infect host cells.