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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

A Microfluidic Flow Chamber Model for Platelet Transfusion and Hemostasis Measures Platelet Deposition and Fibrin Formation in Real-time
Published on: February 14, 2017
FbsA, a fibrinogen-binding protein from Streptococcus agalactiae, mediates platelet aggregation
Giampiero Pietrocola1, Axel Schubert, Livia Visai
1University of Pavia, Department of Biochemistry, Viale Taramelli 3/B 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
The bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae is an etiologic agent in the pathogenesis of endocarditis in humans. FbsA, a fibrinogen-binding protein produced by this pathogen, is considered an important virulence factor. In the present study we provide evidence that S agalactiae clinical isolates bearing FbsA attach to fibrinogen and elicit a fibrinogen-dependent aggregation of platelets. Mutants of S agalactiae lacking the fbsA gene lost the ability to attach to fibrinogen and to aggregate platelets. Plasmid-mediated expression of fbsA restored the capability for fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation in S agalactiae fbsA mutants, and allowed Lactococcus lactis to interact with fibrinogen and to aggregate human platelets. Moreover, a monoclonal anti-FbsA antibody inhibited bacterial adherence to fibrinogen and S agalactiae-induced platelet aggregation. Platelet aggregation was inhibited by aspirin, prostaglandin E(1,) the peptide RGDS, and the antibody abciximab, demonstrating the specificity of platelet aggregation by S agalactiae and indicating an involvement of integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in the induction of platelet aggregation. Aggregation was also dependent on anti-FbsA IgG and could be inhibited by an antibody against the platelet FcgammaRIIA receptor. These findings indicate that FbsA is a crucial factor in S agalactiae-induced platelet aggregation and may therefore play an important role in S agalactiae-induced endocarditis.
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