Open AccessGroup B Streptococcal Pilus Proteins Contribute to Adherence to and Invasion of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Author(s) -
Heather C. Maisey,
Mary E. Hensler,
Victor Nizet,
Kelly S. Doran
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.01153-06
Subject(s) - pilus , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , streptococcus , group a , blood–brain barrier , group b , streptococcaceae , central nervous system , streptococcus agalactiae , immunology , bacteria , virulence , genetics , neuroscience , gene , antibiotics , medicine
Surface filamentous structures known as pili have been discovered recently in the gram-positive streptococcal pathogens that cause invasive disease in humans, including group BStreptococcus (GBS). We show that two GBS proteins involved in pilus formation, encoded bypilA andpilB , also facilitate the interaction of this important agent of central nervous system infection with endothelial cells of the human blood-brain barrier.