Sikder, Suchandan, Rush, Catherine M., Govan, Brenda L., Alim, Md A., and Ketheesan, Natkunam (2019) Anti-streptococcal antibody and T-cell interactions with vascular endothelial cells initiate the development of rheumatic carditis. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 107 (2). pp. 263-271.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

 

7

1

Abstract

The role of group A streptococcal and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis M-protein specific Abs and T-cells in endothelial cell activation was investigated using cultured rat aortic endothelial cells, and in a rat model of autoimmune valvulitis. Heat inactivated serum and mononuclear cells from streptococcal M-protein immunized rats independently induced upregulation of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in cultured cells. We also observed T-cell migration across endothelial cell monolayers incubated with serum from M-protein-immunized rats. Furthermore, we observed VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in the myocardium of rats injected with M-protein compared to control animals. These observations support the contention that initial interactions between streptococcal M-protein specific Abs and/or T-cells with the heart endothelium lead to endothelial cell activation followed by transmigration of M-protein specific T-cells into heart tissue leading to an inflammatory process that leads to carditis in rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page