Tp17 membrane protein of Treponema pallidum activates endothelial cells in vitro.
Tp17, a membrane immunogen of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, was initially recognized as an inflammatory mediator of syphilis. Because the histopathology of syphilis is characterized by endothelial cell abnormalities, we investigated the effects of recombinant Tp17 (rTp17) on endothelial cell activation in vitro. Using real-time reverse transcription-PCR and whole-cell ELISA, we found that rTp17 activated endothelial cells, as demonstrated by the up-regulated expression and increased gene transcription of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). rTp17 also enhanced the migration and subsequent adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells as well as increased transendothelial migration of monocytes. These data suggest that the ability of Tp17 to activate endothelial cells may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of syphilis.
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
Rui-Li
RL
Zhang
Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; National Center for STD Control, China Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Electronic address: doctorwqq@163.com.
Qian-Qiu
QQ
Wang
Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; National Center for STD Control, China Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Jing-Ping
JP
Zhang
Department of Dermatology, Wuxi Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
Li-Jia
LJ
Yang
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000235:genetics; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000235:genetics; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D019040:E-Selectin; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; C080366:17 kDa immunogen, Treponema pallidum
Activation; Endothelial cells; Tp17 protein; Treponema pallidum