J Korean Soc Microbiol.  2000 Apr;35(2):159-169.

Increased expression of adhesion molecules on human umbilical vein endothelial cells by Orientia tsutsugamushi infection

• Lee EB
• Han SH
• Kim SW
• Ihn KS
• Seong SY
• Kim IS
• Choi MS

Abstract

Scrub typhus is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi characterized by fever, headache, lymphadenopathy and eschar formation. Infiltration of inflammatory cells around blood vessels and within the affected organs is known to be pathologic hallmark of the scrub typhus. Recently, expression of adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells was implicated as an important pathogenic mechanism in rickettsial disease. This study was performed to examine the expression of adhesion molecules and to investigate its role in the pathogenesis of O. tsutsugamushi infection. The expression of adhesion molecules on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was measured by flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence. Expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was significantly increased 4 hours after the infection and persisted at least for 24 hours. Expression of those molecules was not induced by killed O. tsutsugamushi. Adhesion of polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells to HUVEC was increased after the infection with O. tsutsugamushi. In conclusion, adhesion molecules are expressed on HUVEC during the infection of live O. tsutsugamushi and those molecules can contribute to the infiltration of inflammatory cells during the infection.

MeSH Terms

Blood Vessels
E-Selectin
Endothelial Cells
Fever
Flow Cytometry
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
Headache
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells*
Humans*
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
Lymphatic Diseases
Orientia tsutsugamushi*
Scrub Typhus
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
E-Selectin
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1