Lipoteichoic Acids Are Essential for Pneumococcal Colonization and Membrane Integrity.
J Innate Immun
; 16(1): 370-384, 2024.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38901409
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The hydrophilic, polymeric chain of the lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of the Gram-positive pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae is covalently linked to the glycosylglycerolipid α-METHODS:
Mutants deficient in TacL and complemented strains constructed were tested for their growth, resistance against oxidative stress, and susceptibility against antimicrobial peptides. Further, the membrane fluidity of pneumococci, their capability to adhere to lung epithelial cells, and virulence in a Galleria mellonella as well as intranasal mouse infection model were assessed.RESULTS:
In the present study, we indicate that LTA is already indispensable for pneumococcal adherence to human nasopharyngeal cells and colonization in an intranasal mouse infection model. Mutants deficient for TacL did not show morphological defects. However, our analysis of pneumococcal membranes in different serotypes showed an altered membrane fluidity and surface protein abundance of lipoproteins in mutants deficient for LTA but not WTA. These mutants had a decreased membrane fluidity, exhibited higher amounts of lipoproteins, and showed an increased susceptibility to antimicrobial peptides. In complemented mutant strains, this defect was fully restored.CONCLUSION:
Taken together, LTA is crucial for colonization and required to effectively protect pneumococci from innate immune defence mechanisms by maintaining the membrane integrity.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Infecções Pneumocócicas
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Streptococcus pneumoniae
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Ácidos Teicoicos
/
Lipopolissacarídeos
Limite:
Animals
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Female
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Innate Immun
Assunto da revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha