PilE4 may contributes in the adhesion of Francisella to brain microvascular endothelial cells

Francisella tularensis (Ft), a small Gram-negative facultative intracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of tularemia. Disease is transmitted to human and animals mostly by vectors such as ticks, flies and mosquitoes. Tularemia is endemic in many parts of the northern hemisphere and has been detected in over 250 animals. Ft can invade many organs in the host body, such a liver, eyes, lung and central nervous system. Neural form of tularemia is rare, but often ends with fatal consequences (Gangat, 2007; van de Beek et al., 2007). One of the crucial steps in CNS invasion is the crossing of blood-brain barrier (BBB), while, bacterial translocation initiates with their transient adhesion on brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Present study is aimed at investigation of the molecules responsible for adhesion of Ft to BMECs. These molecules could be the important candidates in the development of prophylactic drugs against meningitides caused by Francisella.