Neisseria meningitidis colonization of the brain endothelium and cerebrospinal fluid invasion. (24th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Florence; Lécuyer, Hervé; Join‐Lambert, Olivier; Bourdoulous, Sandrine; Marullo, Stefano; Nassif, Xavier; Coureuil, Mathieu
• Is Part Of: Cellular microbiology. Volume 15:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 512
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2012-12-24
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Cells -- Periodicals; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie; Relation hôte-parasite; Cytologie; Cellule; Réponse cellulaire; Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); 579.05
• DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12082
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-5814

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The brain and meningeal spaces are protected from bacterial invasion by the blood–brain barrier, formed by specialized endothelial cells and tight intercellular junctional complexes. However, once in the bloodstream, <italic>Neisseria meningitidis</italic> crosses this barrier in about 60% of the cases. This highlights the particular efficacy with which <italic>N. meningitidis</italic> targets the brain vascular cell wall. The first step of central nervous system invasion is the direct interaction between bacteria and endothelial cells. This step is mediated by the type IV pili, which induce a remodelling of the endothelial monolayer, leading to the opening of the intercellular space. In this review, strategies used by the bacteria to survive in the bloodstream, to colonize the brain vasculature and to cross the blood–brain barrier will be discussed.</p> </abstract>