Abstract
The pneumococcal virulence factors include capsule, PspA, PspC, and Ply. Cytometric analysis demonstrated that the greatest levels of C3 deposition were on a Deltaply PspA(-) PspC(-) mutant. Also, Ply, PspA, and PspC expression resulted in C3 degradation in vitro and in vivo. Finally, blood clearance assays demonstrated that there was enhanced clearance of Deltaply PspA(-) PspC(-) pneumococci compared to the clearance of nonencapsulated pneumococci.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Surface / genetics
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Antigens, Surface / physiology*
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Bacteremia / immunology
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
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Blood / microbiology
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Colony Count, Microbial
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Complement C3 / metabolism
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Mice
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Pneumococcal Infections / immunology*
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Streptococcus pneumoniae / immunology*
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Streptococcus pneumoniae / pathogenicity*
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Streptolysins / genetics
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Streptolysins / physiology*
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Virulence Factors / genetics
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Virulence Factors / physiology*
Substances
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Antigens, Surface
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Bacterial Proteins
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Complement C3
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Streptolysins
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Virulence Factors
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plY protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae
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pneumococcal surface protein A