Staphylococcus aureus autolysins interact with caprine vitronectin without involving the heparin binding domain and the second arginine-glycine-aspartic acid motif of the host protein.

Many bacteria exploit host proteins for their colonization. Vitronectin (Vn), present in the blood and extracellular matrix, is one such protein that acts as a bridge between the bacteria and the host tissues leading to infection. In this study, Vn binding protein of Staphylococcus aureus (COL strain) (SaVnBP) has been characterized as autolysin(s) based on mass spectrometry data and the ability of these proteins to degrade S.

Identification of second arginine-glycine-aspartic acid motif of ovine vitronectin as the complement C9 binding site and its implication in bacterial infection.

Vitronectin (Vn), a multifunctional protein of blood and extracellular matrix, interacts with complement C9. This interaction may modulate innate immunity. Details of Vn-C9 interactions are limited.

Analysis of antibody and cytokine markers for leprosy nerve damage and reactions in the INFIR cohort in India.

Background: The ILEP Nerve Function Impairment in Reaction (INFIR) is a cohort study designed to identify predictors of reactions and nerve function impairment (NFI) in leprosy.

Aim Of The Study: Antibodies to mycobacteria, nerve components and serum cytokine were measured as potential markers for their possible association with reactions and NFI.

Patients And Methods: 303 newly diagnosed leprosy patients from two centres in North India were enrolled.

Antibodies to myelin P0 and ceramide perpetuate neuropathy in long standing treated leprosy patients.

Anti neural antibodies are known to play a role in the immunopathogenesis of nerve damage in leprosy and HIV/AIDS. Myelin Protein zero (P0) and ceramide are two nerve components which maintain the integrity of the peripheral nerve. The present study was undertaken to identify antibodies to myelin P0 and ceramide in the sera of treated leprosy patients, HIV positive individuals and healthy subjects using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).