Premium
Interactions between surface proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes and coagulation factors modulate clotting of human plasma
Author(s) -
Herwald H.,
Mörgelin M.,
Dahlbäck B.,
Björck L.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1046/j.1538-7836.2003.00105.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus pyogenes , fibrinogen , coagulation , fibrin , microbiology and biotechnology , kininogen , pathogen , immunology , chemistry , biology , medicine , bacteria , biochemistry , staphylococcus aureus , receptor , bradykinin , genetics
Summary. Invasive and toxic infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes are connected with high morbidity and mortality. Typical symptoms of these infections are hypotension, edema formation, tissue necrosis, and bleeding disorders. Here we report that components of the coagulation system including fibrinogen, factors V, XI, and XII, and H‐kininogen, are assembled at the surface of S. pyogenes through specific interactions with bacterial surface proteins. In plasma environment, absorption of fibrinogen by S. pyogenes causes a hypocoagulatory state resulting in prolonged clotting times and impaired fibrin network formation. Moreover, the binding of coagulation factors and the subsequent activation of the coagulation system at the bacterial surface lead to the formation of a fibrin network covering S. pyogenes bacteria adhering to epithelial cells. The results suggest that interactions between S. pyogenes and components of the coagulation system contribute to some of the symptoms seen in severe infections caused by this important human pathogen.