Abstract
Sixty-nine haemolytic and non-haemolytic streptococcal strains were isolated from various human infections and serogrouped with the coagglutination test. The amount of125I-fibronectin bound to bacterial cells in a standard assay was determined. Most of the group A, C, and G strains were able to bind fibronectin. None of the group B or D strains bound significant amounts of fibronectin. Group A, C, and G streptococci appear to preferentially bind the N-terminal region of the fibronectin molecule because the 25K N-terminal fragment of the protein could effectively inhibit the binding of125I-fibronectin to cells. Furthermore, the ability of representative strains of group A, C, and G to bind fibronectin was markedly reduced after trypsin treatment of the cells. Fibronectin binding components released from one strain by trypsin treatment inhibited the binding of125I-fibronectin to all group A, C, and G streptococci strains. These findings indicate similarities among fibronectin binding proteins of the three groups of streptococci tested. However, the relative susceptibility to trypsin of fibronectin receptors of the three strains differed as did the relative potency of the inhibitory activity of receptors solubilized from different strains. Binding of fibronectin to the cell surface of group A, C, and G streptococci may contribute to virulence, for instance by promoting specific attachment to exposed fibronectin in open wounds and tissue lesions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ruoslahti, E., Engvall, E., Hayman, E. G.: Fibronectin. Current concepts of its structure and functions. Collagen Research 1981, 1: 95–128.
Kuusela, P.: Fibronectin binds toStaphylococcus aureus. Nature 1978, 276: 718–720.
Rydén, C., Rubin, K., Speziale, P., Höök, M., Wadström, T.: Binding of fibronectin toStaphylococcus aureus. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1983 (in press).
Mosher, D. F.: Fibronectin. In: Spate, T. H. (ed.): Progress in hemostasis and thrombosis-5. Grune, New York, 1980, p. 111–151.
Saba, T. M., Blumenstock, F. A., Scovill, W. A., Bernard, H.: Cryoprecipitate reversal of opsonic alfa-2-surface binding opsonin deficiency in septic, surgical and trauma patients. Science 1978, 210: 622–624.
Maxted, W. R., Widdowson, J. P.: The protein antigens of group A streptococci. In: Wannamaker, L. W., Matsen, J. M. (ed.): Streptococci and streptococcal disease. Academic Press, New York, 1972, p. 251–266.
Björck, L., Kronvall, G.: Analysis of bacterial cell wall proteins and human serum proteins bound to bacterial cell surfaces. Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica (B) 1981, 89: 1–6.
Björck, L., Tylewska, S. K., Wadström, T., Kronvall, G.: Beta-2-microglobulin is bound to streptococcal M protein. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 1981, 13: 391–394.
Myhre, E. B., Holmberg, O., Kronvall, G.: Immunoglobulin binding structures on bovine group G streptococci different from type III Fc-receptors on human group G streptococci. Infection and Immunity 1979, 23: 1–7.
Wannamaker, L. W.: Changes and changing concepts in the biology of group A streptococci and in the epidemiology of streptococcal infections. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1979, 1: 967–976.
Benjamin, J. T., Perriello, V. A.: Pharyngitis due to group C haemolytic streptococci in children. Journal of Pediatrics 1976, 89: 254–256.
Forrer, C. B., Ellner, P. D.: Distribution of haemolytic streptococci in respiratory specimens. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1979, 10: 69–71.
Hill, H. R., Caldwell, G. G., Wilson, E., Zimmerman, R. A.: Epidemic of pharyngitis due to streptococci of Lancefield group G. Lancet 1969, ii: 371–374.
Vuento, M., Vaheri, A.: Purification of fibronectin from human plasma by affinity chromatography under non-denaturing conditions. Biochemical Journal 1979, 183: 331–337.
Hunter, W. M.: Radioimmunoassay. In: Weir, D. M. (ed.): Handbook of experimental immunology. Blackwell, Oxford, 1978, p. 14: 1–14. 40.
McDonald, J. A., Kelly, D. G.: Degradation of fibronectin by human leukocyte elastase. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1980, 255: 8848–8858.
Chretien, J. H., McGinniss, C. G., Thompson, J. H., Delaha, E., Garagusi, V. F.: Group B betahemolytic streptococci causing pharyngitis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1979, 10: 263–266.
Bergner-Rabinowitz, S., Ferne, M.: Type distribution of beta-hemolytic streptococci in Israel: a 10-year study. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1978, 138: 152–159.
Baker, C. J.: Summary on the workshop on perinatal infections due to group B streptococci. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1977, 13: 137–152.
Facklam, R. R.: Streptococci and aerococci. In: Lennette, E. H., Balows, A., Hausler, W. J., Truant, J. P. (ed.): Manual of clinical microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1981, p. 88–110.
Verbrugh, H. A., Peterson, P. K., Smith, D. E., Nguyen, B. Y. T., Hoidal, J. R., Wilkinson, B. J., Verhoef, J., Furcht, L. T.: Human fibronectin binding to staphylococcal surface protein and its relative inefficiency in promoting phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes and alveolar macrophages. Infection and Immunity 1981, 33: 811–819.
Wadström, T., Haraldson, I., Jonsson, P., Rydén, C., Rubin, K., Switalski, L. M., Höök, M., Lindberg M.: Experimental infections withStaphylococcus aureus. In: Wadström, T., Keusch, G. T. (ed.): Experimental bacterial and parasitic infections. Elsevier, Amsterdam, in press.
Beachey, E. H., Simpson, W. A.: The adherence of group A streptococci to oropharyngeal cells: the lipoteichoic acid adhesin and fibronectin receptor. Infection 1982, 10: 107–111.
Simpson, W. A., Hasty, D. L., Mason, J. M., Beachey, E. H.: Fibronectin-mediated binding of group A streptococci to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Infection and Immunity 1982, 37: 805–810.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Switalski, L.M., Ljungh, Å., Rydén, C. et al. Binding of fibronectin to the surface of group A, C, and G streptococci isolated from human infections. Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 1, 381–387 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02019939
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02019939