Abstract
We investigated the contributions of lipoteichoic acid and M protein to reversible and irreversible adhesion of group A streptococci and the effects of such adhesion on release of interleukin-6. Streptococci in which lipoteichoic acid was masked by the hyaluronate capsule were readily washed from HEp-2 cells, indicating no attachment. Unencapsulated, M-negative streptococci in which lipoteichoic acid was exposed were removed more slowly, indicating loose attachment. Only unencapsulated streptococci that expressed both lipoteichoic acid and M protein remained stably adherent to HEp-2 cells throughout multiple washes. Streptococci expressing both M protein and lipoteichoic acid induced release of interleukin-6 from HEp-2 cells, whereas an isogenic, M-negative mutant failed to induce release of interleukin-6. These data suggest that lipoteichoic acid mediates reversible adhesion and that M protein is required for irreversible adhesion and for inducing release of interleukin-6 from HEp-2 cells.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 65-70 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | FEMS Microbiology Letters |
Volume | 151 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jun 1997 |
Keywords
- Cytokine
- M protein
- Streptococcus pyogenes