The adhesive and immunomodulating properties of the multifunctional Staphylococcus aureus protein Eap.
Adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to the host tissue is an important step in the initiation of pathogenesis. At least 10 adhesins produced by S. aureus have been described and it is becoming clear that the expression of these adhesins and their interactions with eukaryotic cells involve complex processes. Some of these, such as the fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBPs) and Clumping Factor A, are well characterized. However, in the last 10 years a number of novel S. aureus adhesins have been described. Functional analyses of these proteins, one of which is Eap (extracellular adherence protein, also known as Map and p70), are revealing important information on the pathogenesis of staphylococcal disease. More than 10 years after the first report of Eap, we are beginning to understand that this protein, which has a broad spectrum of functions, may be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of S. aureus. This review will focus on the interactions of Eap with eukaryotic cells, plasma proteins and the extracellular matrix as well as on the recently recognized role of Eap as an important mediator in the immune response to staphylococcal infection.
Harraghy
Niamh
N
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Saarland Hospital, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Hussain
Muzaffar
M
Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital of Muenster, D-48149 Muenster, Germany.
Haggar
Axana
A
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden.
Chavakis
Triantafyllos
T
Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Heidelberg, D-69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Sinha
Bhanu
B
Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital of Muenster, D-48149 Muenster, Germany.
Herrmann
Mathias
M
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Saarland Hospital, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Flock
Jan-Ingmar
JI
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, S-141 86 Huddinge, Sweden.
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000502:physiology
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D001798:Blood Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; C048165:adhesin, Staphylococcus aureus; D015847:Interleukin-4