Binding of Leptospira to extracellular matrix proteins

Abstract

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance. Pathogenesis caused by this infectious disease remains unclear. Attachment of pathogenic leptospires to host tissues is a crucial initial step to establish the infection.

Objective: Study the binding of the spirochete to three types of extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen type IV, fibronectin, and laminin, which are major components of target organs.

Material and method: ELISA-based experiments were performed to determine binding of pathogenic (serovar icterohaemorrhagie) and non-pathogenic (serovar Patoc) serovars, to purified ECM.

Results: Both pathogenic and non-pathogenic serovars bound to all three types of ECM in the dose-dependent manner and the binding to fibronectin is higher than to collagen and laminin (p < 0.005).

Conclusion: Pathogenic leptospires can bind to various types of ECM and the binding of leptospires to fibronectin was higher than to collagen and laminin. However, this capability may not be the only mechanism that makes leptospires virulent since non-pathogenic leptospire can bind the ECM as well.