PspC, a Pneumococcal Surface Protein, Binds Human Factor H

PspC, a pneumococcal surface protein, binds human factor H.

PspC was found to bind human complement factor H (FH) by Western blot analysis of D39 (pspC(+)) and an isogenic mutant TRE108 (pspC). We confirmed that PspA does not bind FH, while purified PspC binds FH very strongly. The binding of FH to exponentially growing pneumococci varied among different isolates when analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis.

The human complement regulator factor H binds pneumococcal surface protein PspC via short consensus repeats 13 to 15.

The innate ability of Streptococcus pneumoniae to resist complement activation and complement-mediated phagocytosis may be a direct consequence of the ability of the bacteria to bind components of the complement regulatory system. One such component, factor H (fH), is a crucial fluid-phase negative regulator of the alternative pathway of complement and is utilized by a number of pathogenic orga...

Prokaryotic expression of human complement regulator factor H domains and their interaction with Pneumococcal surface protein PspC

Dual roles of PspC, a surface protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae, in binding human secretory IgA and factor H.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as the pneumococcus, contains several surface proteins that along with the polysaccharide capsule function in antiphagocytic activities and evasion of the host immune system. These pneumococcal proteins interact with the host immune system in various ways and possess a wide range of biological activities that suggests that they may be involved at different s...

Interaction of human factor H with PspC of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Streptococcus pneumoniae has acquired virulence factors such as the polysaccharide capsule and various surface proteins, which prevent opsonization mediated by the complement system. PspC is one of the multi-functional pneumococcal surface proteins capable of eliciting an antibody response in mice. Our study further explores the role of pneumococcal surface proteins in r...