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Journal of Bacteriology, February 2007, p. 1426-1434, Vol. 189, No. 4
0021-9193/07/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.01179-06
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Role of Streptococcal T Antigens in Superficial Skin Infection{triangledown}

Sergio Lizano,*{dagger} Feng Luo,{dagger} and Debra E. Bessen

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York

Received 31 July 2006/ Accepted 20 September 2006

FCT region genes of Streptococcus pyogenes encode surface proteins that include fibronectin- and collagen-binding proteins and the serological markers known as T antigens, some of which give rise to pilus-like appendages. It remains to be established whether FCT region surface proteins contribute to virulence by in vivo models of infection. In this study, a highly sensitive and ecologically relevant humanized mouse model was used to measure superficial skin infection. Three genes encoding FCT region surface proteins essential for T-serotype specificity were inactivated. Both the {Delta}cpa and {Delta}prtF2 mutants were highly attenuated for virulence when topically applied to the skin following exponential growth but were fully virulent when delivered in stationary phase. In contrast, the {Delta}fctA mutant was virulent at the skin, regardless of its initial growth state. Immunoblots of cell extracts revealed anti-FctA-reactive, ladder-like polymers characteristic of streptococcal pili. In addition, FctA formed a heteropolymer with the putative collagen-binding protein Cpa. The {Delta}fctA mutant showed a loss in anti-Cpa-reactive polymers, whereas anti-FctA-reactive polymers were reduced in the {Delta}cpa mutant. The findings suggest that both FctA and Cpa are required for pilus formation, but importantly, an intact pilus is not essential for Cpa-mediated virulence. Although it is an integral part of the T-antigen complex, the fibronectin-binding protein PrtF2 is not covalently linked to the FctA- and Cpa-containing heteropolymer derived from cell extracts. The data provide direct evidence that streptococcal T antigens function as virulence factors in vivo, but they also reveal that a pilus-like structure is not essential for the most common form of streptococcal skin disease.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: New York Medical College, Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Valhalla, NY 10595. Phone: (914) 594-4180. Fax: (914) 594-4176. E-mail: sergio_lizano{at}nymc.edu.

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 29 September 2006.

{dagger} S.L. and F.L. were equal contributors.

Journal of Bacteriology, February 2007, p. 1426-1434, Vol. 189, No. 4
0021-9193/07/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.01179-06
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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