title: Characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi invasion of cultured endothelial cells.
abstract: Borrelia burgdorferi can adhere to cultured endothelial cells and penetrate through cell monolayers by passing through intercellular tight junctions and through the host cell cytoplasm. Borrelia burgdorferi strains which were isolated from different sources and areas of the U.S. all demonstrated similar invasive capabilities. Bacterial penetration from the apical to the basal surface of the monolayer was 20 times more efficient than from the basal to the apical surface. Borreliae which were non-viable as a result of either heat treatment or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation showed reduced association with the endothelial cell monolayer and loss of invasive capabilities. Borreliae were able to invade when protein synthesis was inhibited with streptomycin or chloramphenicol. When assays were conducted at 4 degrees C, bacterial penetration of the monolayer was completely inhibited. Treatment of borreliae with proteases affecting outer surface proteins greatly reduced cell association and bacterial invasion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Comstock
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003080:Cold Temperature; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D010450:Endopeptidases