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Arne Egesten, Mette Eliasson, Helena M. Johansson, Anders I. Olin, Matthias Mörgelin, Anja Mueller, James E. Pease, Inga-Maria Frick, Lars Björck, The CXC Chemokine MIG/CXCL9 Is Important in Innate Immunity against Streptococcus pyogenes, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 195, Issue 5, 1 March 2007, Pages 684–693, https://doi.org/10.1086/510857
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Abstract
Pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans and is also a starting point for invasive S. pyogenes infection. Here, we describe that tonsil fluid from patients with streptococcal pharyngitis contains high amounts of the interferon (IFN)-dependent CXC chemokine known as monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG)/CXCL9. Also in vitro, inflamed pharyngeal epithelium produced large amounts of MIG/CXCL9 in the presence of bacteria. The CXC chemokines MIG/CXCL9, IFN-inducible protein-10/CXCL10, and IFN-inducible T cell α-chemoattractant/CXCL11 all showed antibacterial activity against S. pyogenes, and inhibition of MIG/CXCL9 expression reduced the antibacterial activity at the surface of inflamed pharyngeal cells. S. pyogenes of the clinically important M1 serotype secrets the protein streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC), which inhibited the antibacterial activity of the chemokines. As exemplified by S. pyogenes pharyngitis, the data identify a novel innate defense mechanism against invasive bacteria on epithelial surfaces.
- streptococcus pyogenes
- bacterial infections
- chemokines
- epithelium
- cxc chemokines
- chemotactic factors
- complement system proteins
- defense mechanisms
- immunity, natural
- interferons
- monokines
- peptides
- pharyngitis
- pharynx
- streptococcus
- t-lymphocytes
- infections
- bacteria
- tonsil
- sore throat, streptococcal
- anti-bacterial agents
- human leukocyte interferon
- serotype