A key role for the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in invasive Group A streptococcal infection

SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates fibrosis and develops new-onset asthma in damaged lung by polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate

Modern society faces a variety of respiratory-related threats from the increased use of chemicals and periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study investigates the connection between chemically-induced lung damage and SARS-CoV-2 infection, addressing a critical research gap. To investigate this connection, we conducted a study using a mouse model to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms in lungs injured by polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p). Our research revealed that PHMG-p-Induced Lung Injury (PILI) mice exhibited severe inflammatory responses and lung damage following infection. Cytokine storm-related factors were significantly elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of infected PILI mice, indicating severe infection. RNA-seq analysis showed upregulated genes in infected PILI mice associated with respiratory tract diseases and increased inflammatory and immune responses. Downregulated genes were primarily involved in lipid metabolism processes. We also identified alterations in four _genes linked to asthma development in infected PILI mice, correlating with clinical observations in patients. Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in chemically damaged lungs may exacerbate symptoms and potentially lead to new-onset asthma. This study highlights the increased risk of infection severity in chemically damaged lungs and emphasizes the need for heightened awareness of respiratory health in individuals exposed to chemicals, especially during infectious disease outbreaks.

Binding and cleavage of pro-urokinase by a tegument extract of Fasciola hepatica newly excysted juveniles activate the host fibrinolytic system

Plasmin, the final product of fibrinolysis, is a broad-spectrum serine protease that degrades extracellular matrix (ECM) components, a function exploited by multiple pathogens for dissemination purposes. The trematode Fasciola hepatica is the leading cause of fasciolosis, a major disease of livestock and an emerging zoonosis in humans. Infection success depends on the ability of F. hepatica newly excysted juveniles (FhNEJ) to penetrate the host intestinal wall, a process that remains incompletely understood. We have previously shown that FhNEJ are capable of binding plasminogen (PLG), the zymogen of plasmin, on their tegument surface, which leads to plasmin generation in the presence of host-derived PLG activators and subsequent degradation of laminin, a major component of the intestinal ECM. Here, we describe the interaction between a tegument extract of FhNEJ and the precursor of the urokinase-type PLG activator (pro-u-PA). We found that F. hepatica cathepsins B3, L3, enolase and glutathione S-transferase mediate this interaction, suggesting a multifactorial or moonlighting role for these proteins. Additionally, our results revealed that the tegument of FhNEJ contains a protease that is capable of cleaving and activating pro-u-PA into its catalytically active form, which positively impacts the capacity of the parasites to generate plasmin from the host PLG. Collectively, our findings indicate that FhNEJ interact with the host fibrinolytic system at multiple levels, reinforcing the potential of targeting this interaction as a strategy to prevent FhNEJ trans-intestinal migration and infection success.

High-resolution cryo-EM analysis of a Streptococcus pyogenes M-protein/human plasminogen complex

The importance of human plasminogen (hPg)/plasmin (hPm)/cell receptor complexes in invasiveness of cells has been amply established. The objective of this investigation was to determine a high-resolution structure of a major Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacterial receptor (PAM) for hPg/hPm when bound on a cell surface to its major ligand, hPg. As a model cell surface with endogenous PAM, we employed engineered PAM-expressing lentivirus (LV) particles. We show that the ectodomain of a PAM-type M-Protein (M-Prt), in complex with hPg, is folded through distinct intra- and inter-domain interactions to a more compact form on the cell surface, thus establishing a new paradigm for membrane-bound M-Prt/ligand structures. These studies provide a framework for addressing the need for treatments of GAS disease by providing a molecular platform to solve structures of virulence-determining membrane proteins.

The intricate pathogenicity of Group A Streptococcus: A comprehensive update

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a versatile pathogen that targets human lymphoid, decidual, skin, and soft tissues. Recent advancements have shed light on its airborne transmission, lymphatic spread, and interactions with neuronal systems. GAS promotes severe inflammation through mechanisms involving inflammasomes, IL-1β, and T-cell hyperactivation. Additionally, it secretes factors that directly induce skin necrosis via Gasdermin activation and sustains survival and replication in human blood through sophisticated immune evasion strategies. These include lysis of erythrocytes, using red cell membranes for camouflage, resisting antimicrobial peptides, evading phagocytosis, escaping from neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), inactivating chemokines, and cleaving targeted antibodies. GAS also employs molecular mimicry to traverse connective tissues undetected and exploits the host's fibrinolytic system, which contributes to its stealth and potential for causing autoimmune conditions after repeated infections. Secreted toxins disrupt host cell membranes, enhancing intracellular survival and directly activating nociceptor neurons to induce pain. Remarkably, GAS possesses mechanisms for precise genome editing to defend against phages, and its fibrinolytic capabilities have found applications in medicine. Immune responses to GAS are paradoxical: robust responses to its virulence factors correlate with more severe disease, whereas recurrent infections often show diminished immune reactions. This review focuses on the multifaceted virulence of GAS and introduces novel concepts in understanding its pathogenicity.

Intravenous Thrombolysis with Urokinase for Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

Intravenous thrombolysis is one of the most effective therapies for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), with urokinase offering a cost-effective alternative to newer agents like alteplase and tenecteplase, especially in resource-limited settings.

METHODS

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the application of intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase for AIS in the clinical practice of stroke management, including the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of urokinase compared to other thrombolytic agents.

RESULTS

Urokinase, a first-generation thrombolytic drug, is a non-specific plasminogen activator that offers a cost-effective alternative. It has been used in clinical practice for over two decades to improve neurological outcomes in patients with AIS if administered within 6 h of ictus. Numerous studies have indicated that urokinase remains a viable option for patients who cannot access alteplase or tenecteplase because of economic constraints, time window limitations, availability, or other reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

In low- and middle-income countries, urokinase is a cost-effective alternative thrombolytic drug. High-level evidence-based medical research is therefore urgently needed to confirm that urokinase is not inferior to new-generation thrombolytic drugs, and to assess whether it may even be superior in some patient populations.

suPAR to Risk-Stratify Patients With Malaria

Severe malaria (SM) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, particularly in children in sub-Saharan Africa. However, existing malaria diagnostic tests do not reliably identify children at risk of severe and fatal outcomes. Dysregulated host immune and endothelial activation contributes to the pathogenesis of SM. Current research suggests that measuring markers of these pathways at presentation may have clinical utility as prognostic indicators of disease progression and risk of death. In this review, we focus on the available evidence implicating soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) as a novel and early predictor of severe and fatal malaria and discuss its potential utility for malaria triage and management.

Streptolysins are the primary inflammasome activators in macrophages during Streptococcus pyogenes infection

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen that causes an array of infectious diseases in humans. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that proinflammatory interleukin (IL)-1β signaling plays an important role in GAS disease progression. The host regulates the production and secretion of IL-1β via the cytosolic inflammasome pathway. Activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complex requires two signals: a priming signal that stimulates increased transcription of genes encoding the components of the inflammasome pathway, and an activating signal that induces assembly of the inflammasome complex. Here we show that GAS-derived lipoteichoic acid can provide a priming signal for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. As only few GAS-derived proteins have been associated with inflammasome-dependent IL-1β signaling, we investigated novel candidates that might play a role in activating the inflammasome pathway by infecting mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and human THP-1 macrophage-like cells with a panel of isogenic GAS mutant strains. We found that the cytolysins streptolysin O (SLO) and streptolysin S are the main drivers of IL-1β release in proliferating logarithmic phase GAS. Using a mutant form of recombinant SLO, we confirmed that bacterial pore formation on host cell membranes is a key mechanism required for inflammasome activation. Our results suggest that streptolysins are major determinants of GAS-induced inflammation and present an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.

The fibrinolytic system enables the onset of Plasmodium infection in the mosquito vector and the mammalian host

Plasmodium parasites must migrate across proteinaceous matrices to infect the mosquito and vertebrate hosts. Plasmin, a mammalian serine protease, degrades extracellular matrix proteins allowing cell migration through tissues. We report that Plasmodium gametes recruit human plasminogen to their surface where it is processed into plasmin by corecruited plasminogen activators. Inhibition of plasminogen activation arrests parasite development early during sexual reproduction, before ookinete formation. We show that increased fibrinogen and fibrin in the blood bolus, which are natural substrates of plasmin, inversely correlate with parasite infectivity of the mosquito. Furthermore, we show that sporozoites, the parasite form transmitted by the mosquito to humans, also bind plasminogen and plasminogen activators on their surface, where plasminogen is activated into plasmin. Surface-bound plasmin promotes sporozoite transmission by facilitating parasite migration across the extracellular matrices of the dermis and of the liver. The fibrinolytic system is a potential target to hamper Plasmodium transmission.

A critical role for plasminogen in inflammation

Plasminogen and its active form, plasmin, have diverse functions related to the inflammatory response in mammals. Due to these roles in inflammation, plasminogen has been implicated in the progression of a wide range of diseases with an inflammatory component. In this review, we discuss the functions of plasminogen in inflammatory regulation and how this system plays a role in the pathogenesis of diseases spanning organ systems throughout the body.

Characterizing the role of tissue-type plasminogen activator in a mouse model of Group A streptococcal infection

Plasmin(ogen) acquisition is critical for invasive disease initiation by Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS). Host urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) plays a role in mediating plasminogen activation for GAS dissemination, however the contribution of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) to GAS virulence is unknown. Using novel tPA-deficient ALBPLG1 mice, our study revealed no difference in mouse survival, bacterial dissemination or the pathology of GAS infection in the absence of tPA in AlbPLG1/tPA-/- mice compared to AlbPLG1 mice. This study suggests that tPA has a limited role in this humanized model of GAS infection, further highlighting the importance of its counterpart uPA in GAS disease.

Group A Streptococcus-Mediated Host Cell Signaling

In the past decade, the field of the cellular microbiology of group A Streptococcus (S. pyogenes) infection has made tremendous advances and touched upon several important aspects of pathogenesis, including receptor biology, invasive and evasive phenomena, inflammasome activation, strain-specific autophagic bacterial killing, and virulence factor-mediated programmed cell death. The noteworthy aspect of S. pyogenes-mediated cell signaling is the recognition of the role of M protein in a variety of signaling events, starting with the targeting of specific receptors on the cell surface and on through the induction and evasion of NETosis, inflammasome, and autophagy/xenophagy to pyroptosis and apoptosis. Variations in reports on S. pyogenes-mediated signaling events highlight the complex mechanism of pathogenesis and underscore the importance of the host cell and S. pyogenes strain specificity, as well as in vitro/in vivo experimental parameters. The severity of S. pyogenes infection is, therefore, dependent on the virulence gene expression repertoire in the host environment and on host-specific dynamic signaling events in response to infection. Commonly known as an extracellular pathogen, S. pyogenes finds host macrophages as safe havens wherein it survives and even multiplies. The fact that endothelial cells are inherently deficient in autophagic machinery compared to epithelial cells and macrophages underscores the invasive nature of S. pyogenes and its ability to cause severe systemic diseases. S. pyogenes is still one of the top 10 causes of infectious mortality. Understanding the orchestration of dynamic host signaling networks will provide a better understanding of the increasingly complex mechanism of S. pyogenes diseases and novel ways of therapeutically intervening to thwart severe and often fatal infections.

Multifaceted Role of the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) and Its Receptor (uPAR): Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Applications

The plasminogen activator (PA) system is an extracellular proteolytic enzyme system associated with various physiological and pathophysiological processes. A large body of evidence support that among the various components of the PA system, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor (uPAR), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and -2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2) play a major role in tumor progression and metastasis. The binding of uPA with uPAR is instrumental for the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn initiates a series of proteolytic cascade to degrade the components of the extracellular matrix, and thereby, cause tumor cell migration from the primary site of origin to a distant secondary organ. The components of the PA system show altered expression patterns in several common malignancies, which have identified them as ideal diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets to reduce cancer-associated morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes the various components of the PA system and focuses on the role of uPA-uPAR in different biological processes especially in the context of malignancy. We also discuss the current state of knowledge of uPA-uPAR-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for various malignancies.

Activity Regulation by Fibrinogen and Fibrin of Streptokinase from Streptococcus Pyogenes

Streptokinase is a virulence factor of streptococci and acts as a plasminogen activator to generate the serine protease plasmin which promotes bacterial metastasis. Streptokinase isolated from group C streptococci has been used therapeutically as a thrombolytic agent for many years and its mechanism of action has been extensively studied. However, group A streptococci are associated with invasive and potentially fatal infections, but less detail is available on the mechanism of action of streptokinase from these bacteria. We have expressed recombinant streptokinase from a group C strain to investigate the therapeutic molecule (here termed rSK-H46A) and a molecule isolated from a cluster 2a strain from group A (rSK-M1GAS) which is known to produce the fibrinogen binding, M1 protein, and is associated with life-threatening disease. Detailed enzyme kinetic models have been prepared which show how fibrinogen-streptokinase-plasminogen complexes regulate plasmin generation, and also the effect of fibrin interactions. As is the case with rSK-H46A our data with rSK-M1GAS support a "trigger and bullet" mechanism requiring the initial formation of SK•plasminogen complexes which are replaced by more active SK•plasmin as plasmin becomes available. This model includes the important fibrinogen interactions that stimulate plasmin generation. In a fibrin matrix rSK-M1GAS has a 24 fold higher specific activity than the fibrin-specific thrombolytic agent, tissue plasminogen activator, and 15 fold higher specific activity than rSK-H46A. However, in vivo fibrin specificity would be undermined by fibrinogen stimulation. Given the observed importance of M1 surface receptors or released M1 protein to virulence of cluster 2a strain streptococci, studies on streptokinase activity regulation by fibrin and fibrinogen may provide additional routes to addressing bacterial invasion and infectious diseases.

Streptococcus pyogenes Escapes Killing from Extracellular Histones through Plasminogen Binding and Activation by Streptokinase

Histones are small basic proteins and highly conserved among eukaryotes. Their main function is binding, packaging and organizing of DNA in the nucleus, but extracellular histones are also potent antimicrobial proteins. Here we found that Streptococcus pyogenes - an important human pathogen - protects itself from histone-killing by the acquisition of plasminogen. Plasminogen, bound to the streptococcal surface, efficiently prevents histone-mediated killing. Moreover, the streptokinase/plasminogen complex degrades all classes of histones and abrogates their antibacterial and hemolytic effects. This novel streptokinase-mediated virulence mechanism may contribute to the escape of S. pyogenes from the human innate immune system.

Cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid of neurosyphilis patients: Identification of Urokinase plasminogen activator using antibody microarrays

Little is known regarding protein responses to syphilis infection in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients presenting with neurosyphilis. Protein and antibody arrays offer a new opportunity to gain insights into global protein expression profiles in these patients. Here we obtained CSF samples from 46 syphilis patients, 25 of which diagnosed as having central nervous system involvement based on clinical and laboratory findings. The CSF samples were then analyzed using a RayBioH L-Series 507 Antibody Array system designed to simultaneously analyze 507 specific cytokines. The results indicated that 41 molecules showed higher levels in patients with neurosyphilis in comparison with patients without neural involvement. For validation by single target ELISA, we selected five of them (MIP-1a, I-TAC/CXCL11, Urokinase plasminogen activator [uPA], and Oncostatin M) because they have previously been found to be involved in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The ELISA tests confirmed that uPA levels were significantly higher in the CSF of neurosyphilis patients (109.1±7.88pg/ml) versus patients without CNS involvement (63.86±4.53pg/ml, p<0.0001). There was also a clear correlation between CSF uPA levels and CSF protein levels (p=0.0128) as well as CSF-VDRL titers (p=0.0074) used to diagnose neurosyphilis. No significant difference between the two groups of patients, however, was found in uPA levels in the serum, suggesting specific activation of the inflammatory system in the CNS but not the periphery in neurosyphilis patients. We conclude that measurements of uPA levels in CSF may be an additional parameter for diagnosing neurosyphilis.

Bacterial pathogens activate plasminogen to breach tissue barriers and escape from innate immunity

Both coagulation and fibrinolysis are tightly connected with the innate immune system. Infection and inflammation cause profound alterations in the otherwise well-controlled balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis. Many pathogenic bacteria directly exploit the host's hemostatic system to increase their virulence. Here, we review the capacity of bacteria to activate plasminogen. The resulting proteolytic activity allows them to breach tissue barriers and evade innate immune defense, thus promoting bacterial spreading. Yersinia pestis, streptococci of group A, C and G and Staphylococcus aureus produce a specific bacterial plasminogen activator. Moreover, surface plasminogen receptors play an established role in pneumococcal, borrelial and group B streptococcal infections. This review summarizes the mechanisms of bacterial activation of host plasminogen and the role of the fibrinolytic system in infections caused by these pathogens.

Urokinase receptor-deficient mice mount an innate immune response to and clarify respiratory viruses as efficiently as wild-type mice

The plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is required for lung infiltration by innate immune cells in respiratory bacterial infections. In order to verify if this held true for respiratory viruses, wild type (WT) and uPAR knockout (uPAR(-/-)) mice were inoculated intranasally with the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and the influenza A virus. At several days post-infection (dpi), viral titers in the lungs were determined while cell infiltrates in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were analyzed by flow cytometry. In the case of influenza A, body weight loss and mortality were also monitored. Only minor differences were observed between infected WT and uPAR(-/-) mice, primarily in influenza virus replication and pathology. These results indicate that uPAR does not play a major role in limiting virus replication or in orchestrating the innate immune response against HRSV or influenza infections in mice. This suggests that there are fundamental differences in the immune control of the viral infections studied here and those caused by bacteria.

Interaction of spirochetes with the host fibrinolytic system and potential roles in pathogenesis

The pathogenic spirochetes Borrelia burgdorferi, B. hermsii, B. recurrentis, Treponema denticola and Leptospira spp. are the etiologic agents of Lyme disease, relapsing fever, periodontitis and leptospirosis, respectively. Lyme borreliosis is a multi-systemic disorder and the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. Tick-borne relapsing fever is persistent in endemic areas worldwide, representing a significant burden in some African regions. Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder that often leads to tooth loss, is caused by several potential pathogens found in the oral cavity including T. denticola. Leptospirosis is considered the most widespread zoonosis, and the predominant human disease in tropical, undeveloped regions. What these diseases have in common is that they are a significant burden to healthcare costs in the absence of prophylactic measures. This review addresses the interaction of these spirochetes with the fibrinolytic system, plasminogen (Plg) binding to the surface of bacteria and the generation of plasmin (Pla) on their surface. The consequences on host-pathogen interactions when the spirochetes are endowed with this proteolytic activity are discussed on the basis of the results reported in the literature. Spirochetes equipped with Pla activity have been shown to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components, in addition to digesting fibrin, facilitating bacterial invasion and dissemination. Pla generation triggers the induction of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) in a cascade of events that enhances the proteolytic capacity of the spirochetes. These activities in concert with the interference exerted by the Plg/Pla on the complement system - helping the bacteria to evade the immune system - should illuminate our understanding of the mechanisms involved in host infection.

Current views of haemolytic streptococcal pathogenesis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Increasing disease caused by beta-haemolytic streptococci indicates the need for improved understanding of pathogenesis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes significant disease worldwide. The closely related Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) is increasingly recognized as causing a similar disease spectrum. Whole-genome sequencing applied to the study of outbreaks may reveal factors that contribute to pathogenesis and changes in epidemiology. The role of quorum sensing in biofilm formation, and interspecies communication with other streptococci, is discussed. GAS has evolved multiple mechanisms to evade the humoral arm of innate immunity, including complement, which is well known in protecting the host from bacteria, and the coagulation-fibrinolytic system, which is increasingly recognized as an innate immune effector.

SUMMARY

Molecular biology has enhanced our understanding of the intricate balance of host-pathogen interactions that result in clearance or establishment of invasive streptococcal infection. Although the skin and oropharynx remain the usual ecological niche of GAS and SDSE, occasionally the bacteria find themselves within deeper tissues and blood. Recent research has armed us with better knowledge of bacterial adaptations to this alternative environment. However, the challenge is to translate this knowledge into clinical practice, through the development of novel therapeutic options and ultimately a vaccine against GAS.

Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus

Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes mild human infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo and serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, repeated GAS infections may trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Combined, these diseases account for over half a million deaths per year globally. Genomic and molecular analyses have now characterized a large number of GAS virulence determinants, many of which exhibit overlap and redundancy in the processes of adhesion and colonization, innate immune resistance, and the capacity to facilitate tissue barrier degradation and spread within the human host. This improved understanding of the contribution of individual virulence determinants to the disease process has led to the formulation of models of GAS disease progression, which may lead to better treatment and intervention strategies. While GAS remains sensitive to all penicillins and cephalosporins, rising resistance to other antibiotics used in disease treatment is an increasing worldwide concern. Several GAS vaccine formulations that elicit protective immunity in animal models have shown promise in nonhuman primate and early-stage human trials. The development of a safe and efficacious commercial human vaccine for the prophylaxis of GAS disease remains a high priority.

Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of Group A Streptococcus

Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus (GAS), causes mild human infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo and serious infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Furthermore, repeated GAS infections may trigger autoimmune diseases, including acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever, and rheumatic heart disease. Combined, these diseases account for over half a million deaths per year globally. Genomic and molecular analyses have now characterized a large number of GAS virulence determinants, many of which exhibit overlap and redundancy in the processes of adhesion and colonization, innate immune resistance, and the capacity to facilitate tissue barrier degradation and spread within the human host. This improved understanding of the contribution of individual virulence determinants to the disease process has led to the formulation of models of GAS disease progression, which may lead to better treatment and intervention strategies. While GAS remains sensitive to all penicillins and cephalosporins, rising resistance to other antibiotics used in disease treatment is an increasing worldwide concern. Several GAS vaccine formulations that elicit protective immunity in animal models have shown promise in nonhuman primate and early-stage human trials. The development of a safe and efficacious commercial human vaccine for the prophylaxis of GAS disease remains a high priority.