Adherence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to human alveolar macrophages |
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Authors: | Abed Athamna Mordechai R Kramer Itzhak Kahane |
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Institution: | Department of Membrane and Ultrastructure Research, The Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, PO Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;Pulmonary Institute, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem 91120, Israel |
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Abstract: | Abstract The human pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes primary atypical-cold agglutinin-positive pneumonia. Since alveolar macrophages internalize mycoplasma as part of their immune defense, we studied characteristics of the human macrophage receptor for opsonized and nonopsonized M. pneumoniae . The glass-adhering subpopulation of M. pneumoniae attached more than the non-adherent subpopulation. The attachment was dose-dependent and enhanced by opsonization in the presence of human serum. It is inhibited by sulfated compounds such as dextran-sulfate and polyanetholsulfonic acid, but not by dextran or several monosaccharides, suggesting that sulfated glycolipids on the macrophage surface may act as receptors for M. pneumoniae binding. In addition, sialylated compounds, such as fetuin and α 1-acid glycoprotein, were found to be potent inhibitors of the attachment, also indicating the role of sialic acid residue in recognition and attachment of M. pneumoniae to human alveolar macrophages. |
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Keywords: | Adherence Human alveolar macrophage Mycoplasma pneumoniae Phagocytosis Sialic acid Sulfated lipid |
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