Characterizing the role of tissue-type plasminogen activator in a mouse model of Group A streptococcal infection

Microbes Infect. 2019 Oct-Nov;21(8-9):412-417. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2019.04.004. Epub 2019 Apr 19.

Abstract

Plasmin(ogen) acquisition is critical for invasive disease initiation by Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). Host urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) plays a role in mediating plasminogen activation for GAS dissemination, however the contribution of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) to GAS virulence is unknown. Using novel tPA-deficient ALBPLG1 mice, our study revealed no difference in mouse survival, bacterial dissemination or the pathology of GAS infection in the absence of tPA in AlbPLG1/tPA-/- mice compared to AlbPLG1 mice. This study suggests that tPA has a limited role in this humanized model of GAS infection, further highlighting the importance of its counterpart uPA in GAS disease.

Keywords: Animal infection model; Plasminogen; Streptococcus pyogenes; Streptokinase; Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA); Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Load
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microbial Viability
  • Mutation
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / pathology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / pathogenicity*
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / genetics
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / metabolism*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • PLAT protein, human
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator