The role of porins in neisserial pathogenesis and immunity

P Massari, S Ram, H Macleod, LM Wetzler - Trends in microbiology, 2003 - cell.com
P Massari, S Ram, H Macleod, LM Wetzler
Trends in microbiology, 2003cell.com
Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria
responsible for bacterial meningitis and septicemia, and the sexually transmitted disease
gonorrhea, respectively. Porins are the most represented outer membrane proteins in the
pathogenic Neisseria species, functioning as pores for the exchange of ions, and are
characterized by a trimeric β-barrel structure. Neisserial porins have been shown to act as
adjuvants in the immune response via activation of B cells and other antigen-presenting …
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria responsible for bacterial meningitis and septicemia, and the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, respectively. Porins are the most represented outer membrane proteins in the pathogenic Neisseria species, functioning as pores for the exchange of ions, and are characterized by a trimeric β-barrel structure. Neisserial porins have been shown to act as adjuvants in the immune response via activation of B cells and other antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Their effect on the immune response is mediated by upregulation of the costimulatory molecule B7-2 (CD86) on the surface of APCs, an effect that is Toll-like receptor 2- and MyD88-dependent. The effect of neisserial porins on the immune system also involves interaction with components of the complement cascade. Furthermore, neisserial porins co-localize with mitochondria of target cells, where they appear to modulate apoptosis.
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