Group B Streptococcal Pilus Proteins Contribute to Adherence to and Invasion of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Surface filamentous structures known as pili have been discovered recently in the gram-positive streptococcal pathogens that cause invasive disease in humans, including group B Streptococcus (GBS). We show that two GBS proteins involved in pilus formation, encoded by pilA and pilB , also facilitate the interaction of this important agent of central nervous system infection with endothelial cells of the human blood-brain barrier.