GroEL protein of the Leptospira spp. interacts with host proteins and induces cytokines secretion on macrophages

Abstract

Our findings showed that GroEL protein may contribute to the adhesion of leptospires to host tissues and stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines during infection. These features might indicate an important role of GroEL in the pathogen-host interaction in the leptospirosis.