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Infection and Immunity, April 2002, p. 2166-2170, Vol. 70, No. 4
0019-9567/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.70.4.2166-2170.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Antibodies against a Synthetic Peptide of SagA Neutralize the Cytolytic Activity of Streptolysin S from Group A Streptococci{dagger}

James B. Dale,1,2* Edna Y. Chiang,1 David L. Hasty,1,3 and Harry S. Courtney1,2

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,1 Departments of Medicine,2 Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 381043

Received 23 October 2001/ Returned for modification 10 December 2001/ Accepted 18 January 2002

Virtually all group A streptococci (GAS) produce streptolysin S (SLS), a cytolytic toxin that is responsible for the beta-hemolysis surrounding colonies of the organisms grown on blood agar. SLS is an important virulence determinant of GAS, and recent studies have identified a nine-gene locus that is responsible for synthesis and transport of the toxin. SLS is not immunogenic; thus, no neutralizing antibodies are evoked during the course of natural infection. In the present study, we show that a synthetic peptide containing amino acid residues 10 to 30 of the putative SLS (SagA) propeptide [SLS(10-30)] coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin evoked antibodies in rabbits that completely neutralized the hemolytic activity of the toxin in vitro. Inhibition of hemolysis was reversed by preincubation of the immune serum with soluble, unconjugated peptide, indicating the specificity of the antibodies. In addition, antibodies that were affinity purified over an SLS(10-30) peptide column completely inhibited SLS-mediated hemolysis. The SLS(10-30) antisera did not opsonize group A streptococci; however, when combined with type-specific M protein antisera, the SLS antibodies significantly enhanced phagocytosis mediated by M protein antibodies. Thus, we have shown for the first time that it is possible to raise neutralizing antibodies against one of the most potent bacterial cytolytic toxins known. Our data also provide convincing evidence that the sagA gene actually encodes the SLS peptide of GAS. The synthetic peptide may prove to be an important component of vaccines designed to prevent GAS infections.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: VA Medical Center (11A), 1030 Jefferson Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. Phone: (901) 577-7207. Fax: (901) 448-8231. E-mail: james.dale{at}med.va.gov.

{dagger} This article is dedicated to Gene H. Stollerman, whose wise counsel and encouragement, especially related to the importance of SLS as a virulence determinant, are greatly appreciated.

Editor: E. I. Tuomanen

Infection and Immunity, April 2002, p. 2166-2170, Vol. 70, No. 4
0019-9567/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/IAI.70.4.2166-2170.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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