Has been described for a number of bacterial species (for a review, see reference 7). In the case of S. pyogenes, the secreted streptococcal cysteine protease SpeB was found to cleave HK directly (8). In addition, the surface-bound M protein, one of the classical virulence determinants of GAS, has been demonstrated to bind HK, followed by bradykinin generation (9, 10). Binding and assembly of cont
Rome and necrotizing fasciitis are associated with high morbidity and mortality (1). Although GAS virulence factors have been studied intensively, the mechanisms by which local infections progress to severe systemic infections are not yet fully understood. The systemic activation of host immune responses has been reported to account for several symptoms seen in septic patients, i.e., hypotension,
Streptococcal plasminogen activator, triggers the activation of the human contact system. Activation of contact system factors at the surface of the Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M49 is dependent on streptokinase and plasminogen. Our results also show that secreted streptokinase is an efficient contact system activator, independent from a contact surface. This results in the processing of high-m
Has been described for a number of bacterial species (for a review, see reference 7). In the case of S. pyogenes, the secreted streptococcal cysteine protease SpeB was found to cleave HK directly (8). In addition, the surface-bound M protein, one of the classical virulence determinants of GAS, has been demonstrated to bind HK, followed by bradykinin generation (9, 10). Binding and assembly of cont