Shear Stress Prevents Fibronectin Binding Protein-Mediated Staphylococcus aureus Adhesion to Resting Endothelial Cells

Fibronectin binding proteins (FnBP) on the surface of Staphylococcus aureus have previously been shown to mediate adherence of the organism to resting endothelial cells in static adhesion assays. However, in this study using well-defined flow assays, we demonstrate that physiologic levels of shear stress prevent FnBP-mediated adhesion of S. aureus 8325-4 to resting endothelial cells. This result suggests that mechanical forces present in vivo may influence the ability of staphylococci to bind endothelial cell surfaces.