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- Title
Plasminogen is a critical host pathogenicity factor for group A streptococcal infection.
- Authors
Sun, Hongmin; Ringdahl, Ulrika; Homeister, Jonathon W; Fay, William P; Engleberg, N Cary; Yang, Angela Y; Rozek, Laura S; Wang, Xixi; Sjöbring, Ulf; Ginsburg, David
- Abstract
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.
- Publication
Science (New York, N.Y.), 2004, Vol 305, Issue 5688, p1283
- ISSN
1095-9203
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1126/science.1101245