OBJECTIVETo determine the adhering ability of Leptospira interrogans to extracellular matrix molecules (ECM) of host cells and its diversity.

METHODSThe infection models of L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar lai strain 56601 to J774A.1, L929 and Vero cells were established. Fontana silver impregnation method was applied to demonstrate the adhering effect of microbes to extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cells. ELISA methods were established to detect the adhering effects of L. interrogans to ECM molecules laminin (LN), fibronectin (FN), decorin (DEN) and collagen1, 2, 4 (COL1, 2, 4). A competitive inhibition test was performed to verify the results.

RESULTL. interrogans strain 56601 adhered the ECMs of L929, J774A.1 and Vero cells with its one or two sites. L. interrogans strain 56601 adhered all six ECM molecules; the adhering effects to COL1, LN, COL4 were relatively stronger. The adhering effects were markedly decreased after the microbes were pre-incubated with corresponding ECM molecules.

CONCLUSIONL. interrogans adheres to host cells through ECM molecules; LN, FN, DEN, COL1, COL2 and COL4 are the receptor molecules with different adhesion intensity.