Moreover, heavily encapsulated S. pyogenes isolates are associated with the autoimmune disease rheumatic fever58; strong lymphatic-retention of these strains mediated in part by hyaluronan capsule-mediated sequestration by LYVE-1, as demonstrated here, could provide a persistent stimulus that may lead to development of autoimmunity, driven in part by superantigens. The gene discussed is LYVE1; the disease is autoimmune disease.