Infection of Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Haemophilus influenzae: Macropinocytosis as a Mechanism of Airway Epithelial Cell Entry

Margaret R Ketterer; Jian Q Shao; Douglas B Hornick; Ben Buscher; Venkata K Bandi; Michael A Apicella

doi:10.1128/IAI.67.8.4161-4170.1999

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Infection of Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Haemophilus influenzae: Macropinocytosis as a Mechanism of Airway Epithelial Cell Entry

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Infection of Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Haemophilus influenzae: Macropinocytosis as a Mechanism of Airway Epithelial Cell Entry

Margaret R Ketterer, Jian Q Shao, Douglas B Hornick, Ben Buscher, Venkata K Bandi and Michael A Apicella

Infection and immunity, Vol.67(8), pp.4161-4170

08/1999

DOI: 10.1128/IAI.67.8.4161-4170.1999

PMCID: PMC96721

PMID: 10417188

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Abstract

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae is an exclusive human pathogen which infects the respiratory epithelium. We have initiated studies to explore the interaction of the nontypeable H. influenzae strain 2019 with primary human airway epithelial cells by electron and confocal microscopy. Primary human airway cell cultures were established as monolayers on glass collagen-coated coverslips or on semipermeable membranes at an air-fluid interface. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that bacteria adhered to nonciliated cells in the population. The surface of infected cells showed evidence of cytoskeletal rearrangements manifested by microvilli and lamellipodia extending toward and engaging bacteria. Confocal microscopic analysis demonstrated that infection induced actin polymerization with an increase in cortical actin as well as evidence of actin strands around the bacteria. Transmission electron microscopic analysis showed lamellipodia and microvilli surrounding organisms, as well as organisms adherent to the cell surface. These studies also demonstrated the presence of bacteria within vacuoles inside of airway cells. Confocal microscopic studies with Texas red-labeled dextran (molecular weight, 70,000) indicated that H. influenzae cells were entering cells by the process of macropinocytosis. These studies indicate that nontypeable H. influenzae can initiate cytoskeletal rearrangement within human airway epithelium, resulting in internalization of the bacteria within nonciliated human airway epithelial cells by the process of macropinocytosis.

Molecular and Cellular Pathogenesis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Infection of Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Haemophilus influenzae: Macropinocytosis as a Mechanism of Airway Epithelial Cell Entry
Creators: Margaret R Ketterer - Department of Microbiology
Jian Q Shao - Department of Microbiology
Douglas B Hornick - Department of Microbiology
Ben Buscher - Department of Microbiology
Venkata K Bandi - Department of Microbiology
Michael A Apicella - Department of Microbiology
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Infection and immunity, Vol.67(8), pp.4161-4170
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
DOI: 10.1128/IAI.67.8.4161-4170.1999
PMID: 10417188
PMCID: PMC96721
ISSN: 0019-9567
eISSN: 1098-5522
Language: English
Date published: 08/1999
Academic Unit: Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Microbiology and Immunology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094592402771

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