The severity of Streptococcus pyogenes infections in children is significantly associated with plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines

Wang, Shih Min; Lu, Ih Hui; Lin, Ya Lan; Lin, Yee Shin; Wu, Jiunn Jong; Chuang, Woei Jer; Lin, Ming Tsan; Liu, Ching Chuan

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2008.01.008

Cited by 34 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Thus, if the immune system can exert a selective pressure on the expression of virulence factors, it could as well influence the entire transcriptome itself, and consequently explain the difference between GBS genome expression in donor A blood and the other samples. It has to be noted that there is an inter-individual variability of cytokine production that we observed within our various samples, but such variability has already been observed both in in vitro conditions and during human infections [24], [25]. However, our results show an unusual immune response of the various cytokine types tested.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Identification of an Unusual Pattern of Global Gene Expression in Group B Streptococcus Grown in Human Blood

et al. 2009

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Because passage of the bacterium to blood is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of many group B Streptococcus (GBS) invasive infections, we recently conducted a whole-genome transcriptome analysis during GBS incubation ex vivo with human blood. In the current work, we sought to analyze in detail the difference in GBS gene expression that occurred in one blood sample (donor A) relative to other blood samples. We incubated GBS strain NEM316 with fresh heparinized human blood obtained from healthy volunteers, and analyzed GBS genome expression and cytokine production. Principal component analysis identified extensive clustering of the transcriptome data among all samples at time 0. In striking contrast, the whole bacterial gene expression in the donor A blood sample was significantly different from the gene expression in all other blood samples studied, both after 30 and 90 min of incubation. More genes were up-regulated in donor A blood relative to the other samples, at 30 min and 90 min. Furthermore, there was significant variation in transcript levels between donor A blood and other blood samples. Notably, genes with the highest transcript levels in donor A blood were those involved in carbohydrate metabolism. We also discovered an unusual production of proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines: MIF, tPAI-1 and IL-1β were produced at higher levels in donor A blood relative to the other blood samples, whereas GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-7 and IL-10 remained at lower levels in donor A blood. Potential reasons for our observations are that the immune response of donor A significantly influenced the bacterial transcriptome, or both GBS gene expression and immune response were influenced by the metabolic status of donor A.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Identification of an Unusual Pattern of Global Gene Expression in Group B Streptococcus Grown in Human Blood

et al. 2009

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“…Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus, or GAS) is responsible for widespread infections, ranging from hundreds of millions of relatively mild cases of pharyngitis globally, to more severe toxic shock syndromes and necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease"), the more severe symptoms being ascribed to inflammatory cytokines ("cytokine storms"). In addition several Streptococcal gene products or virulence factors have been described which aid the bacteria in persistence in oral epithelia and saliva and dissemination to other tissues [63][64][65][66]. Consequently the dual actions of EP in killing the bacteria and reversing their proinflammatory activities could be a significant aid in combating such infections.…”

Section: Antibacterial Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applications of the PhytomedicineEchinacea purpurea(Purple Coneflower) in Infectious Diseases

Hudson

2012

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology

118

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Extracts of Echinacea purpurea (EP, purple coneflower) have been used traditionally in North America for the treatment of various types of infections and wounds, and they have become very popular herbal medicines globally. Recent studies have revealed that certain standardized preparations contain potent and selective antiviral and antimicrobial activities. In addition, they display multiple immune-modulatory activities, comprising stimulation of certain immune functions such as phagocytic activity of macrophages and suppression of the proinflammatory responses of epithelial cells to viruses and bacteria, which are manifested as alterations in secretion of various cytokines and chemokines. These immune modulations result from upregulation or downregulation of the relevant genes and their transcription factors. All these bioactivities can be demonstrated at noncytotoxic concentrations of extract and appear to be due to multiple components rather than the individual chemical compounds that characterize Echinacea extracts. Potential applications of the bioactive extracts may go beyond their traditional uses.

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“…Thus, immunomodulatory agents may be a valuable adjuvant therapy for invasive GAS disease. In support of this hypothesis, an exuberant cytokine response is associated with increased disease severity in children (Wang et al ., 2008). Alternatively, monoclonal antibodies that specifically target the HLA superantigen binding region may be more efficacious.…”

Section: Invasive Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular mechanisms underlying group A streptococcal pathogenesis

Olsen

Shelburne²,

Musser

2009

Cellular Microbiology

102

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SummaryGroup A Streptococcus (GAS) is a versatile human pathogen causing diseases ranging from uncomplicated mucosal infections to life-threatening invasive disease. The development of human-relevant animal models of GAS infection and introduction of new technologies have markedly accelerated the pace of discoveries related to GAS host-pathogen interactions. For example, recently investigators have identified pili on the GAS cell surface and learned that they are key components for adherence to eukaryotic cell surfaces. Similarly, the recent development of a transgenic mouse expressing human plasminogen has resulted in new understanding of the molecular processes contributing to invasive infection. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of GAS pharyngeal, invasive and other infections holds the promise of assisting with the development of novel preventive or therapeutic agents for this prevalent human pathogen.

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The severity of Streptococcus pyogenes infections in children is significantly associated with plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines

Cited by 34 publications

References 33 publications

Identification of an Unusual Pattern of Global Gene Expression in Group B Streptococcus Grown in Human Blood

Identification of an Unusual Pattern of Global Gene Expression in Group B Streptococcus Grown in Human Blood

Applications of the PhytomedicineEchinacea purpurea(Purple Coneflower) in Infectious Diseases

Molecular mechanisms underlying group A streptococcal pathogenesis

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