Streptococcus Pneumoniae Molecules Convert High Density Lipoproteins Into Pro-Atherogenic Particles

Background and Aims: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a pathogen that causes otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia and severe invasive infections such as sepsis and meningitis. It expresses a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (pneumolysin, PLY) that destroys human cells and an enzyme, neuraminidase A (NanA), that removes terminal sialic acids from cell surfaces. The aim of this study was to find out whether NanA and PLY could act on human HDL particles, and alter HDL composition, structure and function.