Internalization of a non-pathogenic mycobacteria by macropinocytosis in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells

Blanca Estela García-Pérez, Juan Carlos Hernández-González, Samuel García-Nieto, Julieta Luna-Herrera

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36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mycobacterium smegmatis (MSM) a non-pathogenic mycobacterium is often employed as a tool to understand many aspects of the mycobacterial infections. However, its own biology and particularly its mechanism of entry into non-phagocytic cells are not well known. Previously, we demonstrated that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) invades epithelial cells by macropinocytosis. In the present study, we investigated whether MSM also invades human epithelial type II pneumocytes (A549) by macropinocytosis. Infection of A549 cells with MSM elicited actin filaments redistribution, lamellipodia formation and increased fluid phase uptake, suggesting macropinocytosis. Furthermore, macropinocytosis inhibitors like cytochalasin D and amiloride caused inhibition of fluid phase and bacterial uptake. We can conclude that MSM, like MTB, takes advantage of macropinocytosis for entry into epithelial cells, however, unlike MTB, internalized MSM are killed by host cells. These findings suggest that induction of macropinocytosis and cell invasion is not an exclusive feature of pathogenic organisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalMicrobial Pathogenesis
Volume45
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2008

Keywords

  • Macropinocytosis
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis
  • Non-phagocytic cells
  • Pneumocytes type II

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