Extracellular Products of Streptococcus pyogenes and Their Involvement in Pathogenesis
Abstract: Streptococcus
pyogenes or group A streptococcus (GAS) is an exclusive human pathogen. To be a
successful pathogen, this pathogen is equipped with various surface-exposed and
secreted virulence factors. The functions of secreted virulence factors are
particularly important since they interact with host components to establish
infections and cause diseases in human. They include a number of proteases,
DNase, superantigens, and plasminogen activator. How these secreted factors interact
with host protein(s) define this pathogen’s ability to bring out various
diseases. Several proteases act independently to target immunoglobulin
molecules in order to evade host defense system and modulate host proteins to
induce host-mediated damages. Besides producing proteases, many pathogenic
strains of GAS also produce DNase; however, its involvement in host
pathogenesis remains elusive. Superantigen, another secreted protein is
responsive for serious host-destruction by bypassing antigen presentation to
induce massive production of cytokines. GAS also secretes a plaminogen
activator, streptokinase that is crucial for invasiveness. All together,
secreted products of this pathogen work in concert to pinpoint different
targets in order to destroy and or to disable human defense system and cause
host damages.
Author: Debbie Soefie
Retnoningrum
Journal Code: jpfarmasigg090002
