Human immune response to streptococcal inhibitor of complement, a serotype M1 group A Streptococcus extracellular protein involved in epidemics

Nancy P. Hoe, Parichher Kordari, Robert Cole, Mengyao Liu, Timothy Palzkill, Wanzhi Huang, Duncan McLellan, Gerald J. Adams, Mary Hu, Jaana Vuopio-Varkila, Thomas R. Cate, Michael E. Pichichero, Kathryn M. Edwards, Juhani Eskola, Donald E. Low, James M. Musser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Streptococcal inhibitor of complement (Sic) is a highly polymorphic extracellular protein made by serotype M1 group A Streptococcus strains that contributes to bacterial persistence in the mammalian upper respiratory tract. New variants of the Sic protein arise very rapidly by positive selection in human populations during M1 epidemics. The human antibody response to Sic was analyzed. Of 636 persons living in diverse localities, 43% had anti-Sic serum antibodies, but only 16.4% had anti-M1 protein serum antibody. Anti-Sic antibody was also present in nasal wash specimens in high frequency. Linear B cell epitope mapping showed that serum antibodies recognized epitopes located in structurally variable regions of Sic and the amino terminal hypervariable region of the M1 protein. Phage display analyses confirmed that the polymorphic regions of Sic are primary targets of host antibodies. These results support the hypothesis that selection of Sic variants occurs on mucosal surfaces by a mechanism that involves acquired host antibody.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1425-1436
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume182
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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