Chapter 16
Cell Adhesion Assay to Study Leptospiral Proteins:
An Approach to Investigate Host-Pathogen Interaction
Aline F. Teixeira and Ana L. T. O. Nascimento
Abstract
The adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to host cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is considered an
important step in the pathogenesis of microorganisms. It has been described that Leptospira spp. bind to
multiple receptors on host cells and to the ECM to initiate infection. Most studies of Leptospira adherence
described until now have focused on the in vitro attachment of recombinant L. interrogans proteins to
ECM components. These putative adhesins may be involved in the colonization of the host, contributing to
the bacterial invasion process. Certainly, in vitro cell adhesion studies have contributed to the elucidation of
leptospiral pathogenesis mechanisms. Here, we describe a cell adhesion assay that can be used for studying
the interactions between putative leptospiral adhesins and host components.
Key words Leptospira, Cell adhesion, Extracellular matrix, Host-pathogen interaction, Leptospirosis
1 Introduction
Studies of cell adhesion have been widely explored for many important purposes in both cell biology and biomedical research. The
interaction between pathogens and cells or the extracellular matrix
(ECM) can influence cell control, leading to subversion of its
functions and establishment of disease [1–3]. ECM plays an important role in the host, such as regulating eukaryotic cell adhesion,
differentiation, migration, proliferation, shape, and function,
besides supporting and connecting cells and tissues [4]. Two
main classes of macromolecules compose the mammalian ECM,
the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and fibrous proteins, such as collagens, elastin, fibronectin, and laminin [5, 6]. This network of
extracellular macromolecules under normal conditions is not
exposed to bacteria. However, pathogens may gain access to these
components after tissue injury. It has been well documented that
Leptospira interacts with ECM and plays a role in the initial colonization of host tissues. This interaction is likely to occur via leptospiral surface-exposed molecules known as adhesins, which act as a
Nobuo Koizumi and Mathieu Picardeau (eds.), Leptospira spp.: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2134,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0459-5_16, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
171
Cell Adhesion Assay to Study Leptospiral Proteins:
An Approach to Investigate Host-Pathogen Interaction
Aline F. Teixeira and Ana L. T. O. Nascimento
Abstract
The adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to host cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is considered an
important step in the pathogenesis of microorganisms. It has been described that Leptospira spp. bind to
multiple receptors on host cells and to the ECM to initiate infection. Most studies of Leptospira adherence
described until now have focused on the in vitro attachment of recombinant L. interrogans proteins to
ECM components. These putative adhesins may be involved in the colonization of the host, contributing to
the bacterial invasion process. Certainly, in vitro cell adhesion studies have contributed to the elucidation of
leptospiral pathogenesis mechanisms. Here, we describe a cell adhesion assay that can be used for studying
the interactions between putative leptospiral adhesins and host components.
Key words Leptospira, Cell adhesion, Extracellular matrix, Host-pathogen interaction, Leptospirosis
1 Introduction
Studies of cell adhesion have been widely explored for many important purposes in both cell biology and biomedical research. The
interaction between pathogens and cells or the extracellular matrix
(ECM) can influence cell control, leading to subversion of its
functions and establishment of disease [1–3]. ECM plays an important role in the host, such as regulating eukaryotic cell adhesion,
differentiation, migration, proliferation, shape, and function,
besides supporting and connecting cells and tissues [4]. Two
main classes of macromolecules compose the mammalian ECM,
the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and fibrous proteins, such as collagens, elastin, fibronectin, and laminin [5, 6]. This network of
extracellular macromolecules under normal conditions is not
exposed to bacteria. However, pathogens may gain access to these
components after tissue injury. It has been well documented that
Leptospira interacts with ECM and plays a role in the initial colonization of host tissues. This interaction is likely to occur via leptospiral surface-exposed molecules known as adhesins, which act as a
Nobuo Koizumi and Mathieu Picardeau (eds.), Leptospira spp.: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2134,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0459-5_16, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
171