Figure 3.

Cell surface distribution and expression of integrin subunits is altered by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. To visually assess CD18, CD11a and CD11b expression and distribution, primary human dendritic cells were infected with syto-61 (green)-stained M. tuberculosis. Integrin subunits were immunolabelled (red) and analysed by confocal microscopy. The expression of all three integrin subunits is reduced upon M. tuberculosis infection. CD18 and CD11a are redistributed from a uniform pattern in medium alone to the cell periphery in M. tuberculosis-infected cells. CD11b exhibits a uniform cellular distribution in either condition. A representative of three independent donors demonstrating similar results is shown.