Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disrupts by calpain activation the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton of macrophages

Apoptosis by Calpain Activation Induces Macrophage Streptococcus Group B

Actin and microtubule cytoskeleton interactions.

Plant cytoskeleton consists of two major networks of protein polymers, actin microfilaments (AFs) and microtubules (MTs). These networks perform numerous functions that are essential for cell division and for maintaining the integrity of cytoplasm required for intracellular transport and cell shape. Besides the more or less indirect cooperation between AFs and MTs, their direct interactions thr...

colonization rate of group b streptococcus (gbs) in pregnant women using gbs agar medium

group b streptococci (gbs) or streptococcus agalactiae are members of the normal flora of the female genital tract. gbs normally colonizes the vagina in many women asymptomatically. during labor this organism may infect the newborn, leading to neonatal sepsis and meningitis. this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of group b streptococcus in pregnant women by a rapid and easy culture met...

Group B Streptococcus induces apoptosis in macrophages.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pathogen that has developed some strategies to resist host immune defenses. Because phagocytic killing is an important pathogenetic mechanism for bacteria, we investigated whether GBS induces apoptosis in murine macrophages. GBS type III strain COH31 r/s (GBS-III) first causes a defect in cell membrane permeability, then at 24 h, apoptosis. Apoptosis was confirm...

Single-site sonoporation disrupts actin cytoskeleton organization.

Sonoporation is based upon an ultrasound-microbubble cavitation routine that physically punctures the plasma membrane on a transient basis. During such a process, the actin cytoskeleton may be disrupted in tandem because this network of subcellular filaments is physically interconnected with the plasma membrane. Here, by performing confocal fluorescence imaging of single-site sonoporation episo...