Cholesterol-dependent attachment of human respiratory cells by Bordetella pertussis

• Autores: Lamberti, Yanina Andrea; Álvarez Hayes, Jimena; Pérez Vidakovics, María Laura Anabella; Rodríguez, María Eugenia
• Año de publicación: 2009
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Bioquímica; Attachment; Bordetella pertussis; Cholesterol
• Institución: Universidad Nacional de La Plata

Bordetella pertussis is a re-emerging human respiratory pathogen whose infectious process is not fully understood, hampering the design of effective vaccines. The nature of bacterial attachment to host cells is a key event in the outcome of the infection. However, host cell receptors involved in B. pertussis colonization of the respiratory tract are still under investigation. Here, we report that cholesterol-rich domains are involved in B. pertussis adhesion to epithelial cells. Treatment of A549 cells with cholesterol-sequestering drugs such as methyl-β-cyclodextrin, nystatin, or filipin resulted in a significant decrease of B. pertussis attachment. Confocal laser microscopy studies showed B. pertussis associated with cholesterol-rich domains. Accordingly, B. pertussis was found in detergent-resistant membrane domain fractions isolated from bacterial-infected A549 cells. Our results indicate a main role of filamentous hemagglutinin, an environmentally regulated virulence factor, in this interaction, and a specific affinity for cholesterol, one of the major components of traqueal secretions, which might additionally contribute to the effective colonization of the respiratory tract.
Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales