title: Leptospira spp.: Novel insights into host-pathogen interactions.
abstract: Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. It is an important infectious disease that affects humans and animals. The disease causes economic losses as it affects livestock, with decreased milk production and death. Our group is investigating the genome sequences of L. interrogans targeting surface-exposed proteins because, due to their location, these proteins are capable to interact with several host components that could allow establishment of the infection. These interactions may involve adhesion of the bacteria to extracellular matrix (ECM) components and, hence, help bacterial colonization. The bacteria could also react with the host fibrinolytic system and/or with the coagulation cascade components, such as, plasminogen (PLG) and fibrinogen (Fg), respectively. The binding with the first system generates plasmin (PLA), increasing the proteolytic power of the bacteria, while the second interferes with clotting in a thrombin-catalyzed reaction, which may promote hemorrhage foci and increase bacterial dissemination. Interaction with the complement system negative regulators may help bacteria to evade the host immune system, facilitating the invasion. This work compiles the main described leptospiral proteins that could act as adhesins, as PLG and fibrinogen receptors and as complement regulator binding proteins. We present models in which we suggest possible mechanisms of how leptospires might colonize and invade host tissues, causing the disease. Understanding leptospiral pathogenesis will help to identify antigen candidates that would contribute to the development of more effective vaccines and diagnostic tests.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, USP, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, USP, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, USP, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline R F
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, USP, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, USP, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jupciana M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Figueredo
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cosate
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, USP, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1730, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: ana.nascimento@butantan.gov.br.
authors.forename: Ana L T O
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000502:physiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D007919:Leptospira / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005340:Fibrinogen; D010958:Plasminogen; D003165:Complement System Proteins
keywords: Extracellular matrix; Leptospira; Plasma components