AUTHOR=Hoppenbrouwers Tamara , Sultan Andi R. , Abraham Tsion E. , Lemmens-den Toom Nicole A. , Hansenová Maňásková Silvie , van Cappellen Wiggert A. , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. , van Wamel Willem J. B. , de Maat Moniek P. M. , van Neck Johan W. 

TITLE=Staphylococcal Protein A Is a Key Factor in Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.00165

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2018.00165

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> are strong inducers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a defense mechanism of neutrophils against pathogens. Our aim was to explore the role of Protein A in <italic>S. aureus</italic>-induced NETosis. We determined the Protein A production of four different <italic>S. aureus</italic> strains and found a direct relationship between the degree of NETosis induction and Protein A production: strains producing higher concentrations of Protein A evoke significantly more NETs. A <italic>S. aureus</italic> strain in which Protein A as well as a second binding protein for immunoglobulins (<italic>Sbi</italic>) have been knocked-out (Δ<italic>SpA</italic> Δ<italic>Sbi</italic>) induced significantly less NETosis than the wild-type strain. NETosis induction by this knockout strain can be rescued by the addition of purified Protein A. Dead <italic>S. aureus</italic> did not induce NETosis. In conclusion, Protein A is a determinant for NETosis induction by <italic>S. aureus</italic>.</p>