Factor H binding proteins protect division septa on encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae against complement C3b deposition and amplification

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae evades the action of the complement system by expressing an immuno-protective polysaccharide capsule as well as Factor H-binding proteins. Here, Pathak et al. show that these two defence mechanisms are functionally and spatially coordinated on the bacterial cell surface.