Abstract

Type III group B streptococci (GBS) are an important cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis and like many bacterial pathogens produce capsules which retard opsonization via the alternate complement pathway which prevent efficient phagocytosis. The type III polysaccharide capsule is a linear polymer of glucose (glu), glucosamine (glm) and galactose with galactose substitutions which are modified by sialic acid. Sialic acid residues account for the antiphagocytic nature of the capsule and are required for full virulence. Density and size of the capsule varies considerably both within a culture and between strains and this is purported to influence virulence of a given culture. Although a poor antigen, capsule polysaccharide can induce protective immunity.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI028040-06
Application #
2064242
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Project Start
1990-01-01
Project End
1998-07-31
Budget Start
1996-08-01
Budget End
1998-07-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1996
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115

  Publications

Valentin, E; Ghomashchi, F; Gelb, M H et al. (2000) Novel human secreted phospholipase A(2) with homology to the group III bee venom enzyme. J Biol Chem 275:7492-6
Deng, L; Kasper, D L; Krick, T P et al. (2000) Characterization of the linkage between the type III capsular polysaccharide and the bacterial cell wall of group B Streptococcus. J Biol Chem 275:7497-504
Wessels, M R; Kasper, D L; Johnson, K D et al. (1998) Antibody responses in invasive group B streptococcal infection in adults. J Infect Dis 178:569-72
Wessels, M R (1997) Biology of streptococcal capsular polysaccharides. Soc Appl Bacteriol Symp Ser 26:20S-31S
Haft, R F; Wessels, M R; Mebane, M F et al. (1996) Characterization of cpsF and its product CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase, a group B streptococcal enzyme that can function in K1 capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 19:555-63
Wessels, M R; Paoletti, L C; Pinel, J et al. (1995) Immunogenicity and protective activity in animals of a type V group B streptococcal polysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine. J Infect Dis 171:879-84
Wessels, M R; Butko, P; Ma, M et al. (1995) Studies of group B streptococcal infection in mice deficient in complement component C3 or C4 demonstrate an essential role for complement in both innate and acquired immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 92:11490-4
Rubens, C E; Haft, R F; Wessels, M R (1995) Characterization of the capsular polysaccharide genes of group B streptococci. Dev Biol Stand 85:237-44
Marques, M B; Kasper, D L; Shroff, A et al. (1994) Functional activity of antibodies to the group B polysaccharide of group B streptococci elicited by a polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine. Infect Immun 62:1593-9
Haft, R F; Wessels, M R (1994) Characterization of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase of group B streptococci. J Bacteriol 176:7372-4

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