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Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1986 Dec;54(3):833–836. doi: 10.1128/iai.54.3.833-836.1986

Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells: model for postadherence events in endovascular infections.

R J Hamill, J M Vann, R A Proctor
PMCID: PMC260245  PMID: 3781627

Abstract

We examined the interaction of Staphylococcus aureus with cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells as a model for the initial events in the pathogenesis of endovascular infections. Confluent monolayers of cultured endothelial cells were incubated with S. aureus. Cell-associated bacteria were measured by washing away nonadherent organisms, disrupting the monolayers, and performing quantitative cultures. Phagocytosis was differentiated from adherence by treating the cells with lysostaphin; approximately 60% of cell-associated bacteria was found to be intracellular. Phagocytosis could be blocked by using cytochalasin B, which interferes with microfilament function. Addition of fibronectin resulted in a 63% increase in adherence of S. aureus to the endothelial cells but did not increase ingestion. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated a sequence of events similar to that which occurs during ingestion by professional phagocytes, including: adherence of bacteria to the endothelial cell; formation and elongation of surface extensions of the endothelial cell to surround the adherent bacteria; and complete enclosure within apparent phagosomes. Phagocytosis of bacteria by endothelial cells, followed by intracellular persistence, may be an important postadherence event in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endovascular infections.

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Selected References

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