MSCRAMM Proteins Linked to Immune Cell Recruitment in Influenza and Bacterial Super-Infection
Year: 2019
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Influenza is one of the most common human respiratory illnesses, but when paired with secondary bacterial pneumonia (super-infection), it increases rates of hospitalization and death. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common secondary bacterial pneumonia following influenza, and the increase in prevalence of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) has led to increasing rates of MRSA pneumonia and influenza super-infections. MRSA is a gram-positive bacterium that is resistant to many antibiotics, leading to limited clinical interventions for pneumonia and super-infection. Attachment to host cells is controlled by staphylococcal surface proteins called MSCRAMMs (Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules). Clumping Factor B (ClfB) and Serine-aspartate repeat-containing protein D (SdrD) are two MSCRAMM family members that have known colonization roles in the nose. We hypothesize that these proteins have roles in causing infection in the lung as well. In comparing wild type (WT) MRSA and mutated strains, We have found that SdrD decreases the recruitment of neutrophils whereas ClfB increases recruitment of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the lung during super-infection. This suggests that MSCRAMMs play an important role in immune cell recruitment in lungs during infection.
Authors: Sarah Chu, Jennifer A. Grousd, John F. Alcorn
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3029430596