Streptococcal zymogen type B induces angiotensin II in mesangial cells and leukocytes.

Previous reports have shown that angiotensin II and oxidative stress may be important features in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) and that streptococcal erythrogenic toxin type B (ETB) and its precursor (ETBP) may have an important role in the pathogenesis of APSGN. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ETBP on the production of angiotensin II and oxidative stress in rat mesangial cells and human mononuclear leukocytes. Mesangial cells and leukocytes were isolated from digested glomeruli and by histopaque gradient, respectively, while ETBP was isolated from nephritogenic streptococcus cultures using a cation exchange column. Angiotensin II was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by cytometrics. Superoxide anion, reduced glutathione, nitrites, lipid peroxidation and catalase activity were determined by cytochemical, biochemical and enzymatic assays. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was determined by cytometrics. An increased production of angiotensin II was observed in ETBP-treated mesangial cell and leukocyte cultures. The ETBP induced an elevated production of superoxide anions and nitrites in mesangial cells and superoxide anions in leukocytes, while this streptococcal protein decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in leukocytes. The ETBP was capable of inducing an increased production of angiotensin II and increased oxidative stress, both of which may be important mediators of inflammatory events in the renal tissue and during APSGN.