title: Integrin-linked kinase is an essential link between integrins and uptake of bacterial pathogens by epithelial cells.
abstract: Entry of Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus (GAS) into host cells is mediated by fibronectin bound to surface proteins, M1 or PrtF1, forming a bridge to alpha5beta1 integrins. This interaction leads to cytoskeletal rearrangement and uptake of streptococci. We postulated that integrin-linked kinase (ILK), which directly associates with integrins, is the universal link between integrins and several bacterial pathogens. We showed that inhibition of ILK expression by siRNA silencing, or ILK kinase activity by chemical inhibitors or expression of a dominant negative form of ILK reduced M1-mediated invasion of epithelial cells up to 80%. To evaluate the ILK requirement for PrtF1-mediated GAS invasion, a M1-PrtF1+ recombinant strain within the M1 background was constructed. Inhibition of ILK kinase activity also significantly reduced invasion of epithelial cells by this recombinant and wild-type strain JRS4 that expresses PrtF1. In addition, impaired ILK kinase activity results in significant reduction of integrin-dependent invasion mediated by invasins of two other important pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia spp. This study suggests that bacterial pathogens evolved different molecules and strategies to exploit the host integrin signalling pathway for their survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 1460 Mayo Memorial Building, MMC 196, 420 Delaware Street SE., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. beinan@mail.ahc.umn.edu
authors.forename: Beinan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ryan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Yurecko
authors.forename: Shoukat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dedhar
authors.forename: P Patrick
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Cleary
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015007:Yersinia / Q000502:physiology*; D000099200:Scaffold Protein ILK
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016023:Integrins; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D000099200:Scaffold Protein ILK; C078635:fibronectin-binding proteins, bacterial; C014689:streptococcal M protein