Infection of human endothelial cells with Bartonella bacilliformis is dependent on Rho and results in activation of Rho.

ABSTRACT: Bartonella bacilliformis was continuously internalized into human endothelial cells beginning shortly after addition of the bacteria and continuing for at least 24 h after infection in vitro, with a major increase in uptake occurring between 16 and 24 h. Preincubation of endothelial cells with C3 exoenzyme, which inactivated intracellular Rho-GTPase, blocked internalization of the bacteria. Addition of C3 exoenzyme at any time after addition of the bacteria blocked further internalization of bacteria, including the major uptake of bacteria internalized at 16 to 24 h. Rho, a key signaling protein in pathways involving actin organization, was directly shown to be activated in endothelial cells undergoing infection with B. bacilliformis, with maximal activation and translocation to the plasma

SUBMITTER: Verma A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC101560 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature