The immune response

Laminin binding protein 21 (LBP21) and phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL-1) in the M. leprae cell wall bind to the 2 chain of laminin-2 (LAMA2) and α-dystroglycan on the Schwann cell membrane. This permits entry and subsequent damage to the peripheral nerve. The pronounced specificity of M. leprae for Schwann cells is related to the tissue-specific expression of laminin-2 on Schwann cells. M. leprae phenolic glycolipid (PGL-1) binds to the G domain of the LAMA2. The uptake of M. leprae into the Schwann cell is thought to occur when the PGL–laminin-2 complex interacts with the α-dystroglycan, the laminin-2 receptor located on the Schwann cell membrane. Laminin binding protein 21 (LBP21) also mediates the intracellular entry of M. leprae into the Schwann cell.