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HOME > J. Microbiol > Volume 58(4); 2020 > Article
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Streptococcus pneumoniae aminopeptidase N contributes to bacterial virulence and elicits a strong innate immune response through MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling
Ling Wang , Xuemei Zhang , Guangying Wu , Yuhong Qi , Jinghui Zhang , Jing Yang , Hong Wang , Wenchun Xu
Journal of Microbiology 2020;58(4):330-339.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-020-9538-0
Published online: February 27, 2020
Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics Designated by the Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
Corresponding author:  Wenchun Xu , Tel: +86-023-68485239, 
Received: 8 November 2019   • Revised: 26 December 2019   • Accepted: 20 January 2020
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Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive pathogen with high morbidity and mortality globally but some of its pathogenesis remains unknown. Previous research has provided evidence that aminopeptidase N (PepN) is most likely a virulence factor of S. pneumoniae. However, its role in S. pneumoniae virulence and its interaction with the host remains to be confirmed. We generated a pepN gene deficient mutant strain and found that its virulence for mice was significantly attenuated as were in vitro adhesion and invasion of host cells. The PepN protein could induce a strong innate immune response in vivo and in vitro and induced secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α by primary peritoneal macrophages via the rapid phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and this was confirmed using specific pathway inhibitors. In conclusion, PepN is a novel virulence factor that is essential for the virulence of S. pneumoniae and induces host innate immunity via MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling.

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    Streptococcus pneumoniae aminopeptidase N contributes to bacterial virulence and elicits a strong innate immune response through MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling
    J. Microbiol. 2020;58(4):330-339.   Published online February 27, 2020
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-020-9538-0
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