Endothelial cells and the pathogenesis of lepromatous neuritis:insights from the armadillo model.
Selective infection of peripheral nerves is a unique property of Mycobacterium leprae that results in serious injury, but its basis is unexplained. Recent evidence from infected armadillos suggests that endothelial cells of peripheral nerve vasculature may be the gatekeepers by which M. leprae infects nerves. The pathogenesis of neuropathy in leprosy may thus entail a dynamic sequence of adhesion, immunologic, and inflammatory processes involving peripheral nerve endothelial cells.
Scollard
D M
DM
Research Pathology Department, National Hansen's Disease Program at LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70894, USA. dscoll1@lsu.edu
D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009443:Neuritis / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000098:blood supply / Q000382:microbiology*