Structural and functional cellular changes induced by Burkholderia pseudomallei rhamnolipid

Abstract

In this study we report that extracellular Burkholderia pseudomallei rhamnolipid induced cytopathic changes characterized by retraction, rounding up, and, finally, detachment in phagocytic and nonphagocytic cell lines. These changes were due to a progressive reorganization of the F-actin network resulting in impaired cell cycle progression and a reduced phagocytic function of macrophages.