Determination of adherence of Neisseria meningitidis to human buccal epithelial cells using a radioactive technique

• Main Author: Kline, Richard
• Other Authors: Walker, Thomas S.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Neisseria meningitidis.; Cell adhesion.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/182731; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/394594

This study examined the adherence of Neisseria meningitidis to human buccal epithelial cells (BEC). Past studies have utilized microscopic assays which are tedious and are, at high bacterial concentrations, relatively inaccurate. This study developed a rapid radioactive assay for bacterial adherence which gave results comparable to the microscopic assay. This new assay system was used, then, to examine the kinetics and specificity of meningococcal adherence. Adherence, which increased linearly as a function of multiplicity of infection, reached maximal values within 5 minutes. Adherence was mediated by a bacterial surface protein; pronase-treated meningococcidid not adhere well to BEC. Unlike other adherent Neisseria, adherent meningococci did not exhibit pill. Removal of the capsule with saccharolytic agents greatly increased adherence. These results suggest that Neisseria meningitidis may adhere to human BEC via a non-pilus surface protein which is partially masked by the capsule. The BEC receptor for this protein was examined but remains unidentified.