A family of variably expressed outer-membrane proteins (Vomp) mediates adhesion and autoaggregation in Bartonella quintana.

ABSTRACT: Bartonella species are fastidious, Gram-negative human pathogens that can persist in the host bloodstream for years and bind to and invade several types of host cells. For many pathogens, adhesion to host cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components is a critical virulence determinant. Bacteria often vary expression of surface adhesins by phase or antigenic variation to subvert the host immune response and permit adaptive interaction with different host structures. We developed a macaque animal model for Bartonella quintana infection to detect changes in bacterial outer-membrane proteins (OMP) during prolonged bloodstream infection. We identified a gene family encoding four highly conserved, 100-kDa, variably expressed OMP (Vomp), two of which function as adhesins. The variable expressi

SUBMITTER: Zhang P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC518805 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature