Plasminogen is a critical host pathogenicity factor for group A streptococcal infection

Summary, in English

Group A streptococci, a common human pathogen, secrete streptokinase, which activates the host's blood clot-dissolving protein, plasminogen. Streptokinase is highly specific for human plasminogen, exhibiting little or no activity against other mammalian species, including mouse. Here, a transgene expressing human plasminogen markedly increased mortality in mice infected with streptococci, and this susceptibility was dependent on bacterial streptokinase expression. Thus, streptokinase is a key pathogenicity factor and the primary determinant of host species specificity for group A streptococcal infection. In addition, local fibrin clot formation may be implicated in host defense against microbial pathogens.

• Författare: HM Sun; Ulrika Ringdahl; JW Homeister; WP Fay; NC Engleberg; AY Yang; LS Rozek; XX Wang; Ulf Sjöbring; D Ginsburg
• Avdelning/ar: Institutionen för immunteknologi; Avdelningen för mikrobiologi, immunologi och glykobiologi - MIG
• Publiceringsår: 2004
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 1283-1286
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: Science
• Volym: 305
• Issue: 5688
• Länkar: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1101245
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• Ämne: Immunology in the medical area; Microbiology in the medical area
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 1095-9203