Open AccessAcquisition of plasmin activity and induction of arachidonic acid release by Streptococcus suis in contact with human brain microvascular endothelial cells
Author(s) -
Jobin MarieClaude,
Fortin Julie,
Willson Philip J.,
Gottschalk Marcelo,
Grenier Daniel
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.08.044
Subject(s) - streptococcus suis , zymography , plasmin , phospholipase a2 , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , hemolysin , arachidonic acid , phospholipase , urokinase receptor , interleukin 8 , inflammation , immunology , receptor , biochemistry , enzyme , virulence , gene
Infections caused by Streptococcus suis , a major swine pathogen, include meningitis, arthritis, pneumonia and septicaemia. In this study, we investigated interactions that may occur between human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), the main constituent of the blood–brain barrier, and S. suis . We show that S. suis acquires plasmin activity in a time‐dependent manner when in contact with cultured HBMEC. Cell‐associated plasmin activity reached a plateau following a 48 h co‐incubation period. Zymography analysis revealed that HBMEC produce urokinase, which is probably involved in activation of plasminogen bound to S. suis . We also show that a S. suis culture supernatant which possesses both phospholipase C and haemolysin (suilysin) activities was able to induce the release of arachidonic acid from the membrane of HBMEC. Evidence suggests that the action of suilysin on HBMEC may be a prerequisite for the action of additional molecules such as phospholipase C. These new biological effects associated with S. suis may play an important role in the migration of S. suis through the blood–brain barrier and in the modulation of local inflammation.