Investigating tropism of group A <em>Streptococcus</em> to epithelial and endothelial cells — ASN Events
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  2. Poster Session 2
  3. Investigating tropism of group A Streptococcus to epithelial and endothelial cells

Investigating tropism of group A Streptococcus to epithelial and endothelial cells (#237)

Vanessa Tenaglia 1 2 , Timothy Barnett 1 2
  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. The Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

Background

Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly called group A Streptococcus (Strep A), is a bacterial pathogen that causes a wide range of human diseases (1,2). The pathogenesis of different Strep A infections likely involves the colonisation of different cell types, with tonsil epithelial cells being important for tonsil infection and carriage, and interactions with endothelial cells leading to life-threatening invasive infections. The ability of Strep A strains to colonise different cell types is not well understood in the context of infections at different niches. Here, we examined the ability of Strep A strains to infect primary epithelial and endothelial cells from different sites of infection.

 

Methods

We examined the tropism of different M types of Strep A to human epithelial and endothelial cells. Commercially available primary human tonsil epithelial cells and endothelial cells (from aorta, aortic valve, dermal microvasculature and lymph node) were used. Infections were examined by fluorescence microscopy after 3 hours post inoculation and the percentage of primary inoculum was quantified by viable count assays.

 

Results

Different strains of Strep A varied considerably in their ability to adhere to and invade different cell types. Additionally, removal of capsule from some strains of Strep A significantly increased attachment and invasion of both endothelial and epithelial cells.

 

Conclusions

Despite its limited nature, this study indicates tissue tropism of specific Strep A strains and highlights the role of capsule in cell attachment for Strep A strains. Furthermore, strain-specific difference should be considered in the pathogenesis and treatment of Strep A infections.

  1. Brouwer S, Rivera-Hernandez T, Curren BF, Harbison-Price N, De Oliveira DMP, Jespersen MG, Davies MR, Walker MJ. 2023. Pathogenesis, epidemiology and control of group A Streptococcus infection. Nat Rev Microbiol 21:431-447.
  2. Walker MJ, Barnett TC, McArthur JD, Cole JN, Gillen CM, Henningham A, Sriprakash KS, Sanderson-Smith ML, Nizet V. 2014. Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of group A Streptococcus. Clin Microbiol Rev 27:264-301.
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