Vitronectin-dependent invasion of epithelial cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae involves αV integrin receptors

Binding of vitronectin (VN) to Neisseria gonorrhoeae expressing the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) specific Opa(50) protein n as recently shown to trigger bacterial internalization into distinct epithelial cell lines. We have investigated the role of VN-binding integrin receptors and protein kinase C (PKC) in VN-triggered bacterial uptake. Blocking integrin function by RGDS peptides or by antibodies specific to alpha(v) beta(5) or alpha(v) beta(3) resulted in an abrogation of VN-triggerad bacterial internalization. Moreover, inhibitors of PKC were found to block VN-triggered uptake. The essential role of alpha(v) integrins and the presumable involvement of PKC in VN-triggered gonococcal uptake are discussed. (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.