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Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
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Streptococcus pneumoniae surface-exposed glutamyl tRNA synthetase, a putative adhesin, is able to induce a partially

Yaffa Mizrachi Nebenzahl1, Anka Bernstein, Maxim Portnoi

  • 1Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel. ymizr@bgu.ac.il

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Glutamyl tRNA synthetase (GtS) from Streptococcus pneumoniae is a surface protein that acts as an adhesin. Immunizing mice with GtS induced a partial immune response, offering protection against lethal bacterial challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections in children.
  • Certain bacterial proteins, like Glutamyl tRNA synthetase (GtS), exhibit age-dependent immunogenicity.
  • Understanding surface proteins is crucial for developing effective vaccines and treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Glutamyl tRNA synthetase (GtS) as a potential Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine candidate.
  • To determine the surface localization and adhesive properties of GtS.
  • To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of GtS in a murine model.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning, expression, and purification of recombinant GtS (rGtS).
  • Immunization of BALB/c mice with rGtS and subsequent antibody analysis.
  • Flow cytometry for surface localization confirmation.
  • In vitro adhesion assays using A549 cells.
  • Bacterial challenge experiments to assess survival rates.

Main Results:

  • Recombinant GtS elicited cross-reactive antibodies against native GtS on S. pneumoniae cell walls.
  • GtS was confirmed as a surface-located protein and an adhesin.
  • rGtS and anti-rGtS antiserum inhibited bacterial adhesion to host cells.
  • Thirty-nine percent of rGtS-immunized mice survived a lethal S. pneumoniae challenge.

Conclusions:

  • Glutamyl tRNA synthetase (GtS) is a surface-located adhesin of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • GtS is an age-dependent antigen capable of inducing a partially protective immune response.
  • GtS represents a promising target for novel vaccines against S. pneumoniae infections.

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