Immunogenic properties of Streptococcus agalactiae FbsA fragments

PLoS One. 2013 Sep 24;8(9):e75266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075266. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Several species of Gram-positive bacteria can avidly bind soluble and surface-associated fibrinogen (Fng), a property that is considered important in the pathogenesis of human infections. To gain insights into the mechanism by which group B Streptococcus (GBS), a frequent neonatal pathogen, interacts with Fng, we have screened two phage displayed genomic GBS libraries. All of the Fng-binding phage clones contained inserts encoding fragments of FbsA, a protein displaying multiple repeats. Since the functional role of this protein is only partially understood, representative fragments were recombinantly expressed and analyzed for Fng binding affinity and ability to induce immune protection against GBS infection. Maternal immunization with 6pGST, a fragment containing five repeats, significantly protected mouse pups against lethal GBS challenge and these protective effects could be recapitulated by administration of anti-6pGST serum from adult animals. Notably, a monoclonal antibody that was capable of neutralizing Fng binding by 6pGST, but not a non-neutralizing antibody, could significantly protect pups against lethal GBS challenge. These data suggest that FbsA-Fng interaction promotes GBS pathogenesis and that blocking such interaction is a viable strategy to prevent or treat GBS infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / immunology*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunization / methods
  • Mice
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Peptide Library
  • Protein Binding
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • FbsA protein, Streptococcus agalactiae
  • Peptide Library
  • Fibrinogen

Grants and funding

The work was supported by grants Progetti di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) 2003, 2005 and 2008 from the Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) of Italy. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.