Streptococcus suis serotype 2 collagenase-like protease promotes meningitis by increasing blood-brain barrier permeability
Published 31 December, 2026
Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes meningitis in humans and pigs, bringing not only economic losses but also seriously threatens public health security. However, the mechanisms by which SS2 enters the brain and induces meningitis is not fully understood.
In a new study published in the Journal of Integrative Agriculture, a team of researchers from China investigated the role and mechanism of the SS2 Clp in promoting the passage of the bacterium across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
“We found that SS2 Clp enhanced virulence and tissue colonization, and promoted the destruction of the BBB in mice,” shares corresponding author Liancheng Lei, a professor at Jilin University, China.
Compared with wild-type SS2, the ability of a Δclp mutant to cross human brain microvascular endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cell monolayers decreased, whereas the addition of recombinant protein rClp increased permeability.
“rClp also significantly promoted the adhesion of SS2 to hCMEC/D3, inhibited the expression of intercellular tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 independent of its enzyme activity, and induced hCMEC/D3 apoptosis through the cell receptor ligand apoptosis and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways partly dependent on its enzyme activity, resulting in BBB destruction and increased permeability,” adds Lei.
“Moreover, Clp increased macrophage (F4/80+), monocytes (F4/80-Ly6C+), and neutrophils (Ly6G+) infiltration into the brain after SS2 infection.” says corresponding author Prof. Na Li.
SS2 Clp is required for the passage of the bacterium across the BBB, and the results, provide a theoretical basis for better prevention and treatment of SS2-induced meningitis.
Contact Authors:
Jikun Mei, E-mail: mjk20@163.com;
Xuan Jiang, E-mail: 18522075540@163.com;
Correspondence
Na Li, E-mail: vetlina2013@126.com;
Liancheng Lei, E-mail: leiliancheng@163.com
Funder:
This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021FYD1800405) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32072823).
Conflict of Interest:
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
See the Article:
Mei J K et al. 2025. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 collagenase-like protease promotes meningitis by increasing blood–brain barrier permeability. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 24(11): 4379-4394.