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Published on: July 7, 2020
Complement inhibition by gram-positive pathogens: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications
Alexander Laarman1, Fin Milder, Jos van Strijp
1Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO G04.614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|January 12, 2010
Summary
Pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus produce complement inhibitors. These bacterial molecules offer potential new treatments for human inflammatory and infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate immunity against bacterial infections.
- Complement proteins tag bacteria for phagocytosis and recruit immune cells.
- Bacterial pathogens have developed mechanisms to evade or inhibit the complement system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review complement inhibitors produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of these bacterial molecules.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles on bacterial complement evasion strategies.
- Analysis of known complement inhibitory molecules from Gram-positive pathogens.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus produce a diverse array of complement inhibitors.
- These inhibitors target various steps of the complement cascade.
- Bacterial complement evasion strategies are well-developed.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial complement inhibitors represent a significant challenge to host immunity.
- These molecules hold promise as novel therapeutic agents for inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Understanding bacterial complement evasion can lead to new treatment strategies.
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