The Streptococcus pyogenes surface M protein is a critical multifunctional virulence factor. Recent work sheds light on a new unexpected function of the M protein in activating the host inflammasome to induce macrophage cell death and promote infection.
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The author declares financial interest in Moleculera Labs in Oklahoma City, OK, where she is Chief Scientific Officer.
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Cunningham, M.W. Streptococci target inflammasome. Nat Microbiol 2, 1334–1335 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-017-0031-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-017-0031-4