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Cellular functions during activation and damage by pathogens: Immunogold studies of the interaction of bacterial endotoxins with target cells
Author(s) -
Risco Cristina,
da Silva Pedro Pinto
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.1070310206
Subject(s) - immunogold labelling , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , chemistry , biophysics , immunology , antibody
Bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides or LPS) are active components of Gramnegative bacteria that act on numerous cellular functions through the processes of cell activation and damage. The molecular mechanisms involved in the “endotoxic phenomenon” are not defined yet, although extensive studies have been carried out. Immunogold and electron microscopy (EM) have contributed to identify the primary target cells of endotoxins and the subcellular systems that receive the direct action of these bacterial agents. Here, we review our studies on immunogold detection of endotoxins in cellular and subcellular systems. The analysis of the interaction between endotoxins and cells was focussed on the following aspects: (1) morphological characteristics of the LPS aqueous suspensions used in experimental work; (2) binding of endotoxins to the plasma membrane of type II pneumocytes and alveolar macrophages (two of their cellular targets), and influence of the state of aggregation of the LPS; (3) movement and distribution of endotoxins inside the cell, from the plasma membrane to the nucleoplasm; and (4) interaction of LPS with microtubules and its effects on the integrity of the microtubular network. These approaches provide information at the molecular level as well as data for the establishment of physiological models of endotoxicity. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.