NF-kB activation and p38 phosphorilation in microglial cells infected with Leptospira or exposed to partially purified leptospiral lipoproteins
- 作者：Elisabetta Blasi ; Andrea Ardizzoni ; Bruna Colombari ; Rachele Neglia ; Cristina Baschieri ; Samuele Peppoloni ; Marina Cinco
- 关键词：Microglia ; Leptospira ; Pathogenesis
- 刊名：Microbial Pathogenesis
- 出版年：2007
- 期刊代码：172_08824010
- 类别：bio
- 出版时间：February-March 2007
- 卷：42
- 期：2-3
- 页码：80-87
- 文件大小：233 K
摘要
Recently, we have shown a differential susceptibility of non-pathogenic vs. pathogenic leptospires to phagocytosis and killing by microglial cells. Although all ingested to some extent, only the pathogenic strains survived intracellularly while the non-pathogenic ones were killed in a time-dependent manner. By the same infection model, here we demonstrate that microglial cells respond to Leptospira infection with a time- and dose-dependent induction of molecular signals (p38 phosphorilation and NF-kB activation) and the production of soluble factors (cytokines and nitric oxide). Such bio-molecular response is predominantly observed against the pathogenic Leptospira; the phenomenon is reproduced by leptospiral lipoproteins and, to a lower extent, by leptospiral-derived LPS. These data provide initial evidence that Leptospira affects microglial cell response in a different manner depending upon the virulence of the infecting strain; specific bacterial components happen to be involved in the induction of such pathogen-induced immune response.