Frontiers in Immunology (Feb 2018)

Staphylococcal Protein A Is a Key Factor in Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation

  • Tamara Hoppenbrouwers,
  • Tamara Hoppenbrouwers,
  • Andi R. Sultan,
  • Tsion E. Abraham,
  • Nicole A. Lemmens-den Toom,
  • Silvie Hansenová Maňásková,
  • Wiggert A. van Cappellen,
  • Adriaan B. Houtsmuller,
  • Willem J. B. van Wamel,
  • Moniek P. M. de Maat,
  • Johan W. van Neck

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.00165
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Staphylococcus aureus are strong inducers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a defense mechanism of neutrophils against pathogens. Our aim was to explore the role of Protein A in S. aureus-induced NETosis. We determined the Protein A production of four different S. aureus strains and found a direct relationship between the degree of NETosis induction and Protein A production: strains producing higher concentrations of Protein A evoke significantly more NETs. A S. aureus strain in which Protein A as well as a second binding protein for immunoglobulins (Sbi) have been knocked-out (ΔSpA ΔSbi) induced significantly less NETosis than the wild-type strain. NETosis induction by this knockout strain can be rescued by the addition of purified Protein A. Dead S. aureus did not induce NETosis. In conclusion, Protein A is a determinant for NETosis induction by S. aureus.

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