Comparison of adherence to and penetration of a human laryngeal epithelial cell line by group A streptococci of various M protein types.
Clinically isolated group A streptococci (GAS) of different M protein types were studied using aminoglycoside exclusion and [2,8-3H]adenine radiolabeled GAS assays to compare the abilities of different strains to adhere to and internalize within human laryngeal epithelial (HEp-2) cells. GAS isolated from patients with pharyngitis and GAS isolated from patients with more severe disease, such as necrotizing fasciitis, adhered to and penetrated HEp-2 cells equally well. M3, M4, M6, and M12 strains adhered to and were internalized within HEp-2 cells more than M1 strains. M18 GAS producing hyaluronic acid capsules were less adherent and less invasive than the M3, M4, M6, and M12 strains. An M3-producing GAS strain and its M protein-deficient isogenic strain adhered similarly to HEp-2 cells, but the M protein-deficient strain exhibited greater penetration. Preincubation of HEp-2 cells with an N-terminal synthetic M3 peptide did not alter the adherence or penetration by an M3 strain. In summary, this study demonstrates that GAS from invasive and non-invasive disease adhere to and penetrate HEp-2 cells equally well and that multiple strains of GAS with various M protein types have the ability to adhere to and penetrate HEp-2 cells.
Hagman
M M
MM
University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Dale
J B
JB
Stevens
D L
DL
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D007830:Larynx / Q000166:cytology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000502:physiology*; D014316:Tritium; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C014689:streptococcal M protein; D014316:Tritium