Mechanisms of internalization of Staphylococcus aureus by cultured human osteoblasts

Staphylococcus aureus is an important bone pathogen, and evidence shows tha t this organism is internalized by chick osteoblasts. Here we report that S . aureus is internalized by human osteoblasts. Internalization was inhibite d by monodansylcadaverine and cytochalasin D and to a lesser extent by ouab ain, monensin, colchicine, and nocodazole. We propose that internalization occurs via a receptor-mediated pathway, requiring the participation of cyto skeletal elements, principally actin.