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Changes in the adherens junctions of human endothelial cells infected with spotted fever group rickettsiae

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Abstract

Rickettsiae of the spotted fever group are obligately intracellular bacteria that primarily infect the vascular endothelium, invade adjacent cells propelled by actin polymerization, and cause severe systemic diseases. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular leakage develop as a consequence; this effect is the pathophysiological mechanism that explains most clinical manifestations. Here we report that rickettsial infection of cultured primary human endothelial cells is associated with the formation of gaps in the interendothelial adherens junctions, occurring late during the course of in vitro infections but not early, even when rickettsial loads are significant.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Susan Butler for her assistance with preparation of the manuscript. Sources of support: NIH grant RO1 AI21242 to David H. Walker.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, D.C., Colombia

    Gustavo Valbuena

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas , 77555-0609, USA

    Gustavo Valbuena & David H. Walker

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  1. Gustavo Valbuena
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  2. David H. Walker
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Correspondence to David H. Walker.

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Valbuena, G., Walker, D.H. Changes in the adherens junctions of human endothelial cells infected with spotted fever group rickettsiae. Virchows Arch 446, 379–382 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-004-1165-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-004-1165-3

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