Time-lapse confocal imaging of development of Bacillus anthracis in macrophages.
Macrophages attempt to battle infection with Bacillus anthracis spores by phagocytosis of the spores. However, it is believed that B. anthracis spores may survive phagocytosis and may actually use the macrophages that ingest them as a means of transport to lymph nodes. Thus far, the events that occur after spores undergo phagocytosis have remained unclear. To elucidate the fate of spores internalized by macrophages, we have used time-lapse confocal microscopy to follow individual fluorescent spores over time. By use of this method, we have determined that some phagocytized spores survive beyond germination, to become bacilli that then replicate within the macrophages.
Ruthel
Gordon
G
Clinical Research Management, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA. gordon.ruthel@amedd.army.mil.
Ribot
Wilson J
WJ
Bavari
Sina
S
Hoover
Timothy A
TA
D000818:Animals; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial
C035005:3,3'-dihexadecylindocarbocyanine; D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C402795:SYTOX Green