title: A new model for studying the effects of Mycobacterium leprae on Schwann cell and neuron interactions.
abstract: Millions of patients with leprosy suffer from nerve damage resulting in disabilities as a consequence of Mycobacterium leprae infection. However, mechanisms of nerve damage have not been elucidated because of the lack of a model that maintains M. leprae viability and mimics disease conditions. A model was developed using viable M. leprae, rat Schwann cells, and Schwann cell-neuron cocultures incubated at 33 degrees C. M. leprae retained 56% viability in Schwann cells for 3 weeks after infection at 33 degrees C, compared with 3.6% viability at 37 degrees C. Infected Schwann cells had altered morphology and expression of genes encoding cellular adhesion molecules at 33 degrees C but were capable of interacting with and myelinating neurons. Cocultures, infected after myelination occurred, showed no morphological changes in myelin architecture after 1 month of incubation at 33 degrees C, and M. leprae retained 53% viability. This article describes a new model for studying the effects of M. leprae on Schwann cells.
authors.affiliation: Biological Sciences Department, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisana 70803, USA.
authors.forename: Deanna A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hagge
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oby Robinson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scollard
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure