Rapid lymphatic dissemination of encapsulated group A streptococci via lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor-1 interaction
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The host lymphatic network represents an important conduit for pathogen dissemination. Indeed, the lethal human pathogen group A streptococcus has a predilection to induce pathology in the lymphatic system and draining lymph nodes, however the underlying basis and subsequent consequences for disease outcome are currently unknown. Here we report that the hyaluronan capsule of group A streptococci is a crucial virulence determinant for lymphatic tropism in vivo, and further, we identify the lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor-1 as the critical host receptor for capsular hyaluronan in the lymphatic system. Interference with this interaction in vivo impeded bacterial dissemination to local draining lymph nodes and, in the case of a hyper-encapsulated M18 strain, redirected streptococcal entry into the blood circulation, suggesting a pivotal role in the manifestation of streptococcal infections. Our results reveal a novel function for bacterial capsular polysaccharide in directing lymphatic tropism, with potential implications for disease pathology.
Date Issued
2015-09-09
Date Acceptance
2015-08-20
Citation
PLOS Pathogens, 2015, 11 (9)
ISSN
1553-7366
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Journal / Book Title
PLOS Pathogens
Volume
11
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Lynskey et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
License URL
Sponsor
Wellcome Trust
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Medical Research Council
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Cou
Identifier
https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1005137
Grant Number
103197/Z/13/Z
MR/L008610/1
BB/E52708X/1
Subjects
Lymph nodes
Bacterial pathogens
Streptococcal infections
Host-pathogen interactions
Blood
Mouse models
Tropism
Group A streptococcal infection
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e1005137