complement
Molecular PathogenesisPersistent Toxoplasma Infection of the Brain Induced Neurodegeneration Associated with Activation of Complement and MicrogliaToxoplasma gondii, a common neurotropic parasite, is increasingly being linked to neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. However, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these associations are not clear. Toxoplasma can reside in the brain for extensive periods in the form of tissue cysts, and this...
Microbial Immunity and VaccinesRole of Gonococcal Neisserial Surface Protein A (NspA) in Serum Resistance and Comparison of Its Factor H Binding Properties with Those of Its Meningococcal CounterpartNeisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea, has evolved several mechanisms to subvert complement, including binding of the complement inhibitor factor H (FH). We previously reported FH binding to N. gonorrhoeae independently of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) sialylation.
Host Response and InflammationThe Pneumococcal Surface Proteins PspA and PspC Sequester Host C4-Binding Protein To Inactivate Complement C4b on the Bacterial SurfaceComplement is a critical component of antimicrobial immunity. Various complement regulatory proteins prevent host cells from being attacked.
Host Response and InflammationDepletion of Complement Enhances the Clearance of Brucella abortus in MiceBrucellosis is a bacterial disease of animals and humans. Brucella abortus barely activates the innate immune system at the onset of infection, and this bacterium is resistant to the microbicidal action of complement.
- Cellular Microbiology: Pathogen-Host Cell Molecular Interactions | SpotlightEnzymatic Hydrolysis of Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide Renders the Bacterium Vulnerable to Host Defense
Despite a century of investigation, Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a major human pathogen, causing a number of diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media. Like many encapsulated pathogens, the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of S. pneumoniae is a critical component for colonization...
- Molecular PathogenesisA Novel Sialylation Site on Neisseria gonorrhoeae Lipooligosaccharide Links Heptose II Lactose Expression with Pathogenicity
Sialylation of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) extending from heptose I (HepI) of gonococcal lipooligosaccharide (LOS) contributes to pathogenesis. Previously, gonococcal LOS sialyltransterase (Lst) was shown to sialylate LOS in Triton X-100 extracts of strain 15253, which expresses lactose from both HepI and HepII, the minimal structure required for monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2C7 binding.
- Microbial Immunity and Vaccines | SpotlightThe Complement System Contributes to Functional Antibody-Mediated Responses Induced by Immunization with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Sporozoites
- Host Response and InflammationComplement C3 as a Prompt for Human Macrophage Death during Infection with Francisella tularensis Strain SCHU S4
- Microbial Immunity and Vaccines | SpotlightNeisseria cinerea Expresses a Functional Factor H Binding Protein Which Is Recognized by Immune Responses Elicited by Meningococcal Vaccines