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Pneumococcal wall teichoic acid is required for the pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae in murine models

Hongmei Xu1, Libin Wang, Jian Huang

  • 1Key Laboratory of Diagnostic Medicine designated by the Ministry of Education, College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China.

Journal of Microbiology (Seoul, Korea)
|January 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Pneumococcal wall teichoic acid (WTA) is crucial for bacterial colonization and spread. Removing WTA significantly hinders pneumococcal infection, highlighting its role in disease.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Asymptomatic pneumococcal colonization poses a risk for invasive pneumococcal disease.
  • Pneumococcal wall teichoic acid (WTA) has been previously linked to sepsis and adherence.
  • The role of WTA in bacterial colonization and dissemination requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the contribution of pneumococcal WTA to bacterial colonization and dissemination in murine models.
  • To understand the mechanisms by which WTA influences pneumococcal pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a murine model to study pneumococcal colonization and dissemination.
  • Generated and analyzed WTA-deficient pneumococcal mutants.
  • Assessed bacterial colonization in the nasopharynx and lungs.
  • Evaluated bacterial invasion into the bloodstream and brain.
  • Examined bacterial susceptibility to host immune responses, including neutrophil killing and complement deposition.

Main Results:

  • Nasopharynx colonizing bacteria exhibited increased WTA exposure.
  • WTA-deficient mutants showed impaired colonization of the nasopharynx and lungs.
  • WTA-deficient strains had reduced ability to invade the blood and brain.
  • WTA-deficient strains were more susceptible to neutrophil killing and had reduced C3 deposition.
  • Pre-treatment with WTA reduced bacterial colonization.

Conclusions:

  • Pneumococcal WTA is essential for colonization and dissemination of *Streptococcus pneumoniae*.
  • WTA plays a significant role in pneumococcal pathogenesis, independent of host strain.
  • WTA influences bacterial evasion of host immunity, specifically neutrophil clearance.

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