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Approaching In Vivo Models of Pneumococcus-Host Interaction: Insights into Surface Proteins, Capsule Production, and

Alfonso Olaya-Abril1, José A González-Reyes2, Manuel J Rodríguez-Ortega1

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae adapts its surface structures and proteins when interacting with the host. Understanding these bacterial adaptations is key to developing new strategies against pneumococcal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant global morbidity and mortality.
  • Pneumococcal colonization and pathogenesis mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • Bacterial surface structures and proteins are crucial in host-pathogen interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate adaptive changes in Streptococcus pneumoniae surface structures and proteins during host interaction.
  • To understand physiological adaptations from initial colonization to invasive disease.

Main Methods:

  • Mimicked in vivo conditions: epithelial cells, macrophage cells, and blood.
  • Analyzed surface structures (capsule, extracellular vesicles) and surface proteins.
  • Utilized proteomics via "shaving" approach and LC-MS/MS analysis across four pneumococcal strains.

Main Results:

  • Significant variations in surface ultrastructures and proteins were observed.
  • Differences were noted across different culture conditions and pneumococcal strains.
  • Identified strain- and condition-specific surface protein profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae exhibits significant physiological adaptations in response to host environments.
  • These adaptive mechanisms involve changes in surface structures and proteins.
  • Findings offer insights for designing novel anti-pneumococcal strategies.
Keywords:
capsulehost-pathogen interactionmembrane vesiclesproteomicssurface proteins

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