Streptococcal M1 Protein-Provoked CXC Chemokine Formation, Neutrophil Recruitment and Lung Damage Are Regulated by Rho-Kinase Signaling.
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is frequently caused by Streptococcus pyogenes of the M1 serotype. The aim of this study was to determine the role of Ras-homologous (Rho)-kinase signaling in M1 protein-provoked lung damage. Male C57BL/6 mice received the Rho-kinase-specific inhibitor Y-27632 before administration of M1 protein. Edema, neutrophil accumulation and CXC chemokines were quantified i