L-ficolin and capsular polysaccharide-specific IgG in cord serum contribute synergistically to opsonophagocytic killing of serotype III and V group B streptococci.
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ABSTRACT: Group B streptococci (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) are the most common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Serotype-specific IgG antibody is known to protect neonates against GBS infections by promoting opsonophagocytosis. The L-ficolin-mediated lectin pathway of the complement is also a potential mechanism for opsonization of GBS, because L-ficolin activates the complement after binding to serotype Ib, III, V, VI, and VIII GBS. In the present study, we investigated how L-ficolin and serotype-specific IgG in cord sera contribute to opsonophagocytic killing of GBS. Neither L-ficolin nor serotype-specific IgG concentrations correlated with C3b deposition on serotype Ib and VI GBS, suggesting L-ficolin- and serotype-specific IgG-independent mechanisms of complement activation. The percentage of serotype VIII GBS killed was high regardless of the concentration of L-ficolin and IgG. In contrast, L-ficolin and serotype-specific IgG can each initiate C3b deposition on serotype III and V GBS and promote phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, but L-ficolin and serotype-specific IgG together promote opsonophagocytic killing to a greater extent than does either alone in vitro. This synergy was observed when serotype III-specific IgG concentrations were between 1 and 6 ?g/ml and when serotype V-specific IgG concentrations were between 2 and 5 ?g/ml. Concentrations of serotype III-specific IgG in cord blood above 7 ?g/ml are considered protective for neonates colonized with GBS, but most neonates with IgG levels of less than 7 ?g/ml do not develop GBS infections. The data presented here suggest that L-ficolin enhances opsonophagocytosis of serotype III and V GBS when serotype-specific IgG alone is suboptimal for protection.
SUBMITTER: Fujieda M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3370578 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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