title: [Not Available].
abstract: The entry of pathogenic bacteria into host cells is an important step in the induction and progression of many infectious diseases. It confers several advantages to the microorganism during pathogenesis. Intracellular bacteria are protected from the host immune response and the action of antibiotics. Furthermore, pathogens can use the invasion process to transmigrate through epithelial layers and colonize deeper host tissue and organs. To promote cell entry, the bacteria synthesize various surface molecules, called invasins, with which they tightly adhere to eukaryotic cell receptors. This interaction induces signal transduction pathways in the host cell cytoplasm that can lead to dramatic rearrangements of the cytoskeleton, i.e. actin filament nucleation. This modulation results in the formation of pseudopods or membrane ruffles which enclose the bacteria inside the cell.
authors.affiliation: Freie Universität, Berlin, DE.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dersch