The adhesion of meningococci to endothelial cells relies on type IV pili, which induce the formation of long tubular structures on the host cell membrane. Here, the authors show that the tubular structures accumulate and trap host membrane-associated proteins, which facilitates their interaction with bacterial ligands and the activation of adhesion and signaling receptors.
- Audrey Laurent-Granger
- Kévin Sollier
- Mathieu Coureuil
