Entry of Borrelia burgdorferi into macrophages is end-on and leads to degradation in lysosomes

Infect Immun. 1996 Jul;64(7):2867-72. doi: 10.1128/iai.64.7.2867-2872.1996.

Abstract

The Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is ingested rapidly by mouse macrophages in vitro. Spirochetes attach by their ends and become progressively coiled as they move deeper into cells. From the earliest measurements, spirochetes colocalize with a marker of endosomes and lysosomes, and degradation of spirochetes occurs within lysosomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / pathogenicity*
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / physiology
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / ultrastructure
  • Cell Line
  • Endosomes / microbiology
  • Lyme Disease / etiology
  • Lysosomes / microbiology*
  • Lysosomes / physiology
  • Lysosomes / ultrastructure
  • Macrophages / microbiology*
  • Macrophages / physiology
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Video