Mk. Zenni et al., Macropinocytosis as a mechanism of entry into primary human urethral epithelial cells by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, INFEC IMMUN, 68(3), 2000, pp. 1696-1699
Gonococcal entry into primary human urethral epithelial cells (HUEC) fan oc
cur by macropinocytosis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy reve
aled lamellipodia surrounding gonococci, and confocal laser scanning micros
copy analysis showed organisms colocalized with M-r 70,000 fluorescein isot
hiocyanate-labeled dextran within the cells. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhi
bitors and an actin polymerization inhibitor prevented macropinocytic entry
of gonococci into HUEC.