L-ficolin and capsular polysaccharide-specific IgG in cord serum contribute synergistically to opsonophagocytic killing of serotype III and V group B streptococci

Infect Immun. 2012 Jun;80(6):2053-60. doi: 10.1128/IAI.06232-11. Epub 2012 Mar 26.

Abstract

Group B streptococci (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) are the most common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Serotype-specific IgG antibody is known to protect neonates against GBS infections by promoting opsonophagocytosis. The L-ficolin-mediated lectin pathway of the complement is also a potential mechanism for opsonization of GBS, because L-ficolin activates the complement after binding to serotype Ib, III, V, VI, and VIII GBS. In the present study, we investigated how L-ficolin and serotype-specific IgG in cord sera contribute to opsonophagocytic killing of GBS. Neither L-ficolin nor serotype-specific IgG concentrations correlated with C3b deposition on serotype Ib and VI GBS, suggesting L-ficolin- and serotype-specific IgG-independent mechanisms of complement activation. The percentage of serotype VIII GBS killed was high regardless of the concentration of L-ficolin and IgG. In contrast, L-ficolin and serotype-specific IgG can each initiate C3b deposition on serotype III and V GBS and promote phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, but L-ficolin and serotype-specific IgG together promote opsonophagocytic killing to a greater extent than does either alone in vitro. This synergy was observed when serotype III-specific IgG concentrations were between 1 and 6 μg/ml and when serotype V-specific IgG concentrations were between 2 and 5 μg/ml. Concentrations of serotype III-specific IgG in cord blood above 7 μg/ml are considered protective for neonates colonized with GBS, but most neonates with IgG levels of less than 7 μg/ml do not develop GBS infections. The data presented here suggest that L-ficolin enhances opsonophagocytosis of serotype III and V GBS when serotype-specific IgG alone is suboptimal for protection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibody Specificity
  • Bacterial Capsules / immunology*
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Fetal Blood / immunology*
  • Ficolins
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lectins / genetics
  • Lectins / metabolism*
  • Neutrophils / physiology
  • Opsonin Proteins
  • Phagocytosis / physiology
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Serotyping
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / physiology

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lectins
  • Opsonin Proteins
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus