Abstract
The in vitro and ex vivo murine models of infection with live vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis LVS were used for the study of early phases of bacteria-host cell interactions. The electron microscopic study revealed the ability of F. tularensis LVS to escape from the phagosomes.
This ability is influenced by genetic background and immune status of the host. Subcellular fractination of infected host cells confirmed the escape of tularemia microbes from phagosomes and their association with mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum proteins.
Phenotypic analysis and analysis of cytokine profiles of infected J774 cell line documented the modulation of CD16/32, CD54, and CD86 expression and TNF-alfa, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 cytokine production.