Serum amyloid P component (SAP) is a normal plasma protein, closely related to C-reactive protein, which is deposited together with amyloid fibrils in all forms of amyloidosis. It is also a normal constituent of human tissues, where it is found in vascular basement membranes and in association with the peripheral microfibrillar mantle of elastic fibres throughout the body. Very similar, highly ...

Site-directed mutagenesis studies have suggested that additional peptide information in the central cell-binding domain of fibronectin besides the minimal Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence is required for its full adhesive activity. The nature of this second, synergistic site was analyzed further by protein chemical and immunological approaches using biological assays for adhesion, migration, and matr...

Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis W12 binds and degrades human plasma fibronectin. In the presence of the protease inhibitor N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysyl chloromethyl ketone, P. gingivalis cells accumulated substantial amounts of 125I-fibronectin as a function of incubation time. Fibronectin binding was specific, reversible, and saturable. The Kd for the reaction was estimated to be on the orde...

background: acanthamoeba castellanii is the important cause of amoebic keratitis in iran. the key molecule in pathogene­sis of acanthamoeba keratitis is mannose binding protein (mbp) led to adhesion of amoeba to corneal epithelium. subse­quent to adhesion other cytopathic effects occur. the goal of this study was to identify the molecular characterization of a gene encoding mbp in an iranian is...

We recently described adhesion to and invasion of bovine mammary gland cells by Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. Here, we show that the levels of adhesion and invasion are dependent on the bacterial growth phase and are controlled by the agr locus. Incubation of exponential growth phase cells of S. aureus with mammary gland cells resulted in bacterial cell clumping. Strains of S. aureus deficien...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Streptococcus agalactiae is the leading cause of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in newborns and results in pneumonia and bacteremia in adults. A number of S. agalactiae components are involved in colonization of target cells. Destruction of peptidoglycan and division of covalently linked daughter cells is mediated by autolysins. In this study, autolytic activity and p...

The expression of Staphylococcus aureus adhesins in Lactococcus lactis identified clumping factor A (ClfA) and fibronectin-binding protein A (FnBPA) as critical for valve colonization in rats with experimental endocarditis. This study further analyzed their role in disease evolution. Infected animals were followed for 3 d. ClfA-positive lactococci successfully colonized damaged valves, but were...

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a state of deficiency that manifests itself in two forms: edematous and non-edematous. There have been significant advances the clinical management this disease state, but to date, data on nutritional recovery outcomes are scarce. Aims: We aimed compare non-edematous malnourished children. Subjects Methods: This prospective observational study 98 c...

Plasma fibronectin is a high molecular weight adhesive glycoprotein. There are two types of fibronectin: plasma (soluble) and cellular derived (insoluble). Electron microscopy revealed structural organization compact expanded. In solution, has conformation, after binding to certain substrates (collagen, fibrin, heparin), it one the main opsonins blood in relation “targets” phagocytosis predomin...