title: Immune response to a laminin-binding protein (Lmb) in group A streptococcal infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A laminin-binding protein (Lmb) similar to that of group B streptococcus is conserved in group A streptococcus (GAS) and has a role in adhesion of GAS to epithelial cells. The role of this protein is yet to be clarified in disease process and thus, it is important to know its role in binding of GAS to laminin and the immunogenic response against it in patients related with GAS infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A recombinant protein (rGAS-Lmb) was purified using the lmb gene from M1 GAS and tested for its role in binding of GAS with laminin. The antibody response against rGAS-Lmb in patient sera related with GAS infection was measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rGAS-Lmb bound with laminin directly and inhibited the binding of GAS to laminin. The antibody response against rGAS-Lmb in patients with uncomplicated streptococcal infection (U. Strep) and those with rheumatic fever (RF) were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). No difference of anti-rGAS-Lmb antibody titer could be found between these two disease groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The higher antibody response in patients with GAS infection implies that the protein is well expressed during the period of infection and may be related with the colonization and infection of GAS in pharyngeal mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan.
authors.forename: Rezwanul M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Wahid
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshinaga
authors.forename: Junichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeno
authors.forename: Jav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarantuya
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohkawa
authors.forename: Abdul M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jalil
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyata
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000293:Adolescent; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D011994:Recombinant Proteins