Human glycan expression patterns influence Group A streptococcal colonization of epithelial cells

David M. P. De Oliveira, Arun Everest-Dass, Lauren Hartley-Tassell, Christopher J. Day, Anuk Indraratna, Stephan Brouwer, Ailish Cleary, Liisa Kautto, Jody Gorman, Nicolle H. Packer, Michael P. Jennings, Mark J. Walker, Martina L. Sanderson-Smith

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Colonization of the oropharynx is the initial step in Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngeal infection. We have previously reported that the highly virulent M1T1 GAS clone attaches to oral epithelial cells via M1 protein interaction with blood group antigen carbohydrate structures. Here, we have identified that colonization of human oral epithelial cells by GAS serotypes M3 and M12 is mediated by human blood group antigens [ABO(H)] and Lewis (Le) antigen expression. Removal of linkage-specific fucose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid modulated GAS colonization, dependent on host ABO(H) blood group and Le expression profile. Furthermore, N-linked glycans from human salivary glycoproteins, when released and purified, were potent inhibitors of M1, M3, and M12 GAS colonization ex vivo. These data highlight the important role played by human protein glycosylation patterns in GAS attachment to oral epithelial cell surfaces.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)10808-10818
    Number of pages11
    JournalFASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
    Volume33
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2019

    Keywords

    • glycosylation
    • M protein
    • pathogenesis
    • blood group antigens

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Human glycan expression patterns influence Group A streptococcal colonization of epithelial cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this