Hijacking of Host Plasminogen by <i>Mesomycoplasma</i> ( <i>Mycoplasma</i> ) <i>hyopneumoniae</i> via GAPDH: an Important Virulence Mechanism To Promote Adhesion and Extracellular Matrix Degradation
Jiying Wang, Shiyang Li, Junhong Chen, Lanxi Gan, Jia Wang, Qiyan Xiong, Zhixin Feng, Quan Li, Zhibang Deng, Xiaomin Yuan, Yanfei Yu
Abstract
Mesomycoplasma hyopneumoniae is a specific pathogen of pigs that is the etiological agent of mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS), which is responsible for substantial economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. The pathogenicity mechanism and possible particular virulence determinants of M. hyopneumoniae are not yet completely elucidated. Our data suggest that GAPDH might be an important virulence factor in M. hyopneumoniae that facilitates the dissemination of M. hyopneumoniae by hijacking host plasminogen to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) barrier. These findings will provide theoretical support and new ideas for the research and development of live-attenuated or subunit vaccines against M. hyopneumoniae.