Thromb Haemost 2005; 93(05): 927-931
DOI: 10.1160/TH04-08-0501
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Extracellular fibrinogen binding protein, Efb, from Staphylococcus aureus as an antiplatelet agent in vivo

Oonagh Shannon
1   The Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Andreas Uekötter
1   The Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Jan-Ingmar Flock
1   The Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
› Author Affiliations
Grant support: This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (K2001–16X-12218–05C) and Biostapro AB. A. U. was supported with a grant from IMF, Münster; grant no. UE620203.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 16 August 2004

Accepted after resubmission 07 February 2005

Publication Date:
11 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Staphylococcus aureus produces and secretes a protein, extracellular fibrinogen binding protein (Efb), which contributes to virulence in wound infection. We have previously shown that Efb is a potent inhibitor of platelet function in vitro. We confirm here that this is also the case in vivo. Pre-treatment with Efb resulted in a significant prolongation of bleeding time in a mouse model. Furthermore, Efb was capable of rescuing animals from death caused by the administration of potent platelet agonists. This antiplatelet effect may explain the retardation of wound healing associated with Efb in S. aureus wound infections. These results are important not only in terms of understanding S. aureus pathogenesis, and consequently identifying new treatment strategies, but also with regard to the development of potential, novel antiplatelet agents for the prevention of thrombosis.

 
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