Degradation of Outer Membrane Protein A in Escherichia coli Killing by Neutrophil Elastase

A Belaaouaj, KS Kim, SD Shapiro - Science, 2000 - science.org
A Belaaouaj, KS Kim, SD Shapiro
Science, 2000science.org
In determining the mechanism of neutrophil elastase (NE)–mediated killing of Escherichia
coli, we found that NE degraded outer membrane protein A (OmpA), localized on the surface
of Gram-negative bacteria. NE killed wild-type, but not OmpA-deficient, E. coli. Also, whereas
NE-deficient mice had impaired survival in response to E. coli sepsis, as compared to wild-
type mice, the presence or absence of NE had no influence on survival in response to sepsis
that had been induced with OmpA-deficient E. coli. These findings define a mechanism of …
In determining the mechanism of neutrophil elastase (NE)–mediated killing of Escherichia coli, we found that NE degraded outer membrane protein A (OmpA), localized on the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. NE killed wild-type, but not OmpA-deficient,E. coli. Also, whereas NE-deficient mice had impaired survival in response to E. coli sepsis, as compared to wild-type mice, the presence or absence of NE had no influence on survival in response to sepsis that had been induced with OmpA-deficient E. coli. These findings define a mechanism of nonoxidative bacterial killing by NE and point to OmpA as a bacterial target in host defense.
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