Rickettsia rickettsii infection protects human microvascular endothelial cells against staurosporine-induced apoptosis by a cIAP(2)-independent mechanism.

Background: Manipulation of host cell death is an important determinant of the outcome of an infection. Here, we investigate whether Rickettsia rickettsii-infected host endothelial cells resist the effects of staurosporine, a potent inducer of apoptosis, and we explore the mechanisms underlying the anti-apoptotic effect of infection.

Methods: Human microvascular endothelial cells infected with R.