title: Complement inhibition by gram-positive pathogens: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
abstract: The plasma proteins of the complement system are essential in the innate immune response against bacteria. Complement labels bacteria with opsonins to support phagocytosis and generates chemoattractants to attract phagocytes to the site of infection. In turn, bacterial human pathogens have evolved different strategies to specifically impair the complement response. Here, we review the large arsenal of complement inhibitors produced by the gram-positive pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Group A Streptococcus. We discuss how these bacterial molecules provide us with new tools to treat both infectious and inflammatory disease conditions in humans.
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO G04.614, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laarman
authors.forename: Fin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Milder
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Strijp
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rooijakkers
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins