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How BspC from Streptococcus agalactiae Interacts with Host Vimentin during Meningitis

Concetta Beninati1, Agata Famà2, Giuseppe Teti2

  • 1Metchnikoff Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy.

Trends in Microbiology
|July 21, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus agalactiae meningitis in newborns causes severe damage. Bacterial protein BspC interacts with host vimentin, aiding pathogen invasion into the meninges, according to new research.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Neonatal meningitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae presents significant mortality and neurological deficits.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of pathogen invasion is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of bacterial protein BspC in the invasion of host meninges by Streptococcus agalactiae.

Main Methods:

  • The study investigated the interaction between the bacterial protein BspC and host cell vimentin.
  • Experimental models were used to observe the invasion process.

Main Results:

  • A direct interaction between Streptococcus agalactiae's BspC protein and host cell vimentin was identified.
  • This interaction was shown to be a key factor in the pathogen's invasion of the meninges.

Conclusions:

  • The BspC-vimentin interaction is a critical step in Streptococcus agalactiae meningitis pathogenesis.
  • Targeting this interaction may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against neonatal meningitis.
Keywords:
blood–brain barrierencephalitisendothelial cellsgroup B streptococcus

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