The integrin Mac-1 (CR3) mediates internalization and directs Bacillus anthracis spores into professional phagocytes.

ABSTRACT: Anthrax, a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, affects animals and humans. Because the inert spore is the infectious form of the organism that first contacts the potential host, the interaction between the host and spore exosporium is vital to the initiation of disease. Here, we demonstrate that the integrin Mac-1 is essential for the recognition of the major exosporium protein BclA by phagocytic cells. Expression of Mac-1, but not p150/95, in CHO cells markedly enhanced infection with Sterne strain of B. anthracis spores (WT spores). Conversely, CD11b(-/-) macrophages demonstrated a significant decrease in spore uptake when compared with macrophages from normal C57BL/6 mice. However, when CD11b(-/-) macrophages were infected with DeltabclA spores, spore ingestion was no different from t

SUBMITTER: Oliva CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2234126 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature