Open AccessUse of green fluorescent protein in visualisation of pneumococcal invasion of broncho‐epithelial cells in vivo
Author(s) -
Kadioglu Aras,
Sharpe Jason A.,
Lazou Irene,
Svanborg Catharina,
Ockleford Colin,
Mitchell Tim J.,
Andrew Peter W.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb09454.x
Subject(s) - in vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , green fluorescent protein , biology , streptococcus pneumoniae , respiratory tract , pneumonia , respiratory system , medicine , antibiotics , gene , biochemistry , anatomy
The pneumococcus is the principle cause of bacterial pneumonia and also a major cause of bacterial meningitis. The mechanisms and sites of pneumococcal adherence and invasion of the respiratory tract in vivo are not clear however. We have made pneumococci expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and used it to trace pneumococcal adherence and invasion in vivo. By using GFP pneumococci we have shown bacterial adherence and invasion of broncho‐epithelial cells in vivo by 4 h post‐infection, with increases in pneumococcal invasiveness by 24 h. Using confocal image analysis we have shown varying levels of pneumococcal penetration and internalisation into host cells, as well as translocation through epithelial layers. To our knowledge this is the first report of pneumococcal invasion and cellular translocation in vivo.