Segmented Filamentous Bacteria

You selected: apical microvilli

Apical microvilli of the enterocyte. These finger-like structures greatly increase the surface area of the intestinal epithelium, allowing for better absorption of nutrients. Actin filaments form the structural core of each microvillus. The filaments interweave with the underlying terminal web of actin which runs beneath the microvilli and associates with cytoplasmic components in the cytoskeletom.

Note that the association with the SFB does not disrupt surrounding microvilli. This event is in contrast to the attachment of pathogens such as salmonella typhimurium which disrupt the microvilli.

Key points in this image
segmented filamentous bacteria | apical microvilli | actin accumulation | host cytoplasm |
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Information
Module Name: sfb
Module Title: Segmented Filamentous Bacteria
Image Info: Electron micrograph, XX,XXX magnification.
Created by: Lynn Bry
Contact Email:bryl@medicine.wustl.edu
Last modified: Dec. 12th, 1996.
Created with Annotation 1.0