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Macrophages recognize streptococci through bacterial single‐stranded RNA
Author(s) -
Deshmukh Sachin D,
Kremer Bernhard,
Freudenberg Marina,
Bauer Stefan,
Golenbock Douglas T,
Henneke Philipp
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/embor.2010.189
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , biology , sepsis , rna , pathogenesis , immunology , inflammation , streptococcus , streptococcus pyogenes , streptococcus agalactiae , toll like receptor , pattern recognition receptor , meningitis , virology , innate immune system , immune system , gene , medicine , genetics , staphylococcus aureus , psychiatry
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of both neonatal sepsis and meningitis, two diseases that are characterized by inflammation. However, the manner in which GBS organisms are recognized by monocytes and macrophages is poorly understood. In this study, we report that the recognition of GBS and other Gram‐positive bacteria by macrophages and monocytes relies on bacterial single‐stranded RNA (ssRNA). ssRNA interacts with a signalling complex, which comprises the Toll‐like receptor adaptors MyD88 and UNC‐93B, but not the established MyD88‐dependent ssRNA sensors. The role of ssRNA in the recognition of Gram‐positive bacteria—leading to the induction of inflammatory cytokines—has potential implications for sepsis pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.