- Author:
Yi Pin LIN
1
;
Yung Fu CHANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords: adhesion; Fn; Leptospira; LigB; MDCK cell; siRNA
- MeSH: Animals; Antigens, Bacterial/*genetics/metabolism; Cell Line; Dogs; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Fibronectins/*metabolism; Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics/*metabolism; Leptospira/*genetics/metabolism; Microscopy, Confocal; Protein Binding/*genetics; *Protein Structure, Tertiary; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science 2008;9(2):133-144
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Adhesion through microbial surface components that recognize adhesive matrix molecules is an essential step in infection for most pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we report that LigB interacts with fibronectin (Fn) through its variable region. A possible role for LigB in bacterial attachment to host cells during the course of infection is supported by the following observations: (i) binding of the variable region of LigB to Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in a dose-dependent manner reduces the adhesion of Leptospira, (ii) inhibition of leptospiral attachment to Fn by the variable region of LigB, and (iii) decrease in binding of the variable region of LigB to the MDCK cells in the presence of Fn. Furthermore, we found a significant reduction in binding of the variable region of LigB to Fn using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Finally, the isothermal titration calorimetric results confirmed the interaction between the variable region of LigB and Fn. This is the first report to demonstrate that LigB binds to MDCK cells. In addition, the reduction of Fn expression in the MDCK cells, by siRNA, reduced the binding of LigB. Taken together, the data from the present study showed that LigB is a Fn-binding protein of pathogenic Leptospira spp. and may play a pivotal role in Leptospira-host interaction during the initial stage of infection.