Identification of factors modulating the susceptibility of Streptococcus sanguinis to complement immunity

• Grant number: 17/19899-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2018
• End date: February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Renata de Oliveira Mattos Graner
• Grantee: Lívia Araújo Alves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Streptococcus sanguinis (SS) is a pioneer species of teeth, which inhibits pathogenic species of dental biofilms, but is frequently involved in infective endocarditis through mechanisms as yet unknown. Our recent results indicate that SS has low susceptibility to deposition of C3b of the complement system, a major opsonin involved in blood clearance by neutrophils (PMN) or other blood cells. The aim of this project is to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in SS resistance to complement-mediated opsonization. To this end, SS strains isolated from dental plaque and from the bloodstream will be characterized regarding their binding to serum proteins which activate (SAP, C1q, ficolina L) or inhibit (C4BP, Fator H, FHL1 e C1-INH) the complement. Genes potentially involved in these phenotypes will be then investigated, including covRSs (encodes a transcriptional regulator of virulence CovR) and genes likely regulated by CovRSs, which encode C3 proteases (pepOSs and cppASs). Transcript levels of covRSs, pepOSs and cppASs will be compared between the isolates by RT-qPCR. Isogenic mutants of these genes will be obtained in strain SK36, and characterized regarding their binding to C3b, to soluble proteins involved in activation and inhibition of the complement and to fibronectin. Mutant strains with altered phenotypes will be then compared to parent strain regarding their susceptibilities to opsonophagocytosis by PMN from human blood. The results of this project may help to elucidate mechanisms which modulate SS susceptibility to complement-mediated immunity, an important topic for the development of therapies to control systemic infections by this species. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MATTOS-GRANER, RENATA O.; KLEIN, MARLISE I.; ALVES, LIVIA ARAUJO. The complement system as a key modulator of the oral microbiome in health and disease. CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 30-pg., 2023-01-05. (12/04222-5, 21/13074-9, 15/12940-3, 16/17216-4, 12/50966-6, 12/51832-3, 17/19899-4, 21/06801-1, 18/02054-4, 15/07237-1)

HARTH-CHU, ERIKA N.; ALVES, LIVIA A.; THEOBALDO, JESSICA D.; SALOMAO, MARIANA F.; HOFLING, JOSE F.; KING, WILLIAM F.; SMITH, DANIEL J.; MATTOS-GRANER, RENATA O.. PcsB Expression Diversity Influences on Streptococcus mitis Phenotypes Associated With Host Persistence and Virulence. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. 10, NOV 12 2019. (17/19899-4, 15/12940-3, 12/04222-5, 18/02054-4, 15/07237-1, 09/50547-0, 12/50966-6)

ALVES, LIVIA A.; NAVEED, HASSAN; FRANCO, EDUARDO M.; GARCIA, MAIRA TERRA; FREITAS, VICTOR A.; JUNQUEIRA, JULIANA C.; BASTOS, DEBORA C.; ARAUJO, THAIS L. S.; CHEN, TSUTE; MATTOS-GRANER, RENATA O.. PepO and CppA modulate Streptococcus sanguinis susceptibility to complement immunity and virulence. VIRULENCE, v. 14, n. 1, p. 16-pg., 2023-12-31. (17/19899-4, 19/20435-8, 18/12248-0, 18/02054-4, 18/13739-8, 21/13074-9)

ALVES, LIVIA A.; DE CARLI, THAIS R.; HARTH-CHU, ERIKA N.; MARIANO, FLAVIA S.; HOFLING, JOSE F.; STIPP, RAFAEL N.; MATTOS-GRANER, RENATA O.. Oral streptococci show diversity in resistance to complement immunity. Journal of Medical Microbiology, v. 68, n. 4, p. 600-608, APR 2019. (18/02054-4, 13/07098-6, 15/12940-3, 09/50547-0, 12/04222-5, 12/50966-6, 15/07237-1, 17/19899-4)

OLIVEIRA, LETICIA T.; ALVES, LIVIA A.; HARTH-CHU, ERIKA N.; NOMURA, RYOTA; NAKANO, KAZUHIKO; MATTOS-GRANER, RENATA O.. icRK and CovR polymorphisms in Streptococcus mutans strains associated with cardiovascular infection. Journal of Medical Microbiology, v. 70, n. 12, 2021. (15/22967-6, 18/02054-4, 17/19899-4)