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Ingmer H, Leisner JJ, Fulaz S. Forssman and the staphylococcal hemolysins. APMIS 2024. [PMID: 39188243 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Forssman was a Swedish pathologist and microbiologist who, in the 1920s and 1930s conducted a long series of experiments that led to unique insights into surface antigens of blood cells, as well as added to the discrimination of toxins produced by staphylococci that lyse red blood cells. This review takes offset in the studies published by Forssman in APMIS addressing the hemolytic properties of staphylococcal toxins displayed against erythrocytes of animal and human origin. In light of current knowledge, we will discuss the insights we now have and how they may pave the way for curing infections with pathogenic staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Ingmer
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen J Leisner
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stephanie Fulaz
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zhu Z, Hu Z, Li S, Fang R, Ono HK, Hu DL. Molecular Characteristics and Pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus Exotoxins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:395. [PMID: 38203566 PMCID: PMC10778951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus stands as one of the most pervasive pathogens given its morbidity and mortality worldwide due to its roles as an infectious agent that causes a wide variety of diseases ranging from moderately severe skin infections to fatal pneumonia and sepsis. S. aureus produces a variety of exotoxins that serve as important virulence factors in S. aureus-related infectious diseases and food poisoning in both humans and animals. For example, staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) produced by S. aureus induce staphylococcal foodborne poisoning; toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), as a typical superantigen, induces toxic shock syndrome; hemolysins induce cell damage in erythrocytes and leukocytes; and exfoliative toxin induces staphylococcal skin scalded syndrome. Recently, Panton-Valentine leucocidin, a cytotoxin produced by community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA), has been reported, and new types of SEs and staphylococcal enterotoxin-like toxins (SEls) were discovered and reported successively. This review addresses the progress of and novel insights into the molecular structure, biological activities, and pathogenicity of both the classic and the newly identified exotoxins produced by S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhu
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Zuo Hu
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
| | - Shaowen Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Rendong Fang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Animal Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China;
| | - Hisaya K. Ono
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
| | - Dong-Liang Hu
- Department of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, Towada 034-8628, Japan; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.K.O.)
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Tam K, Torres VJ. Staphylococcus aureus Secreted Toxins and Extracellular Enzymes. Microbiol Spectr 2019; 7:10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0039-2018. [PMID: 30873936 PMCID: PMC6422052 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0039-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a formidable pathogen capable of causing infections in different sites of the body in a variety of vertebrate animals, including humans and livestock. A major contribution to the success of S. aureus as a pathogen is the plethora of virulence factors that manipulate the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. Many of these immune modulating virulence factors are secreted toxins, cofactors for activating host zymogens, and exoenzymes. Secreted toxins such as pore-forming toxins and superantigens are highly inflammatory and can cause leukocyte cell death by cytolysis and clonal deletion, respectively. Coagulases and staphylokinases are cofactors that hijack the host's coagulation system. Exoenzymes, including nucleases and proteases, cleave and inactivate various immune defense and surveillance molecules, such as complement factors, antimicrobial peptides, and surface receptors that are important for leukocyte chemotaxis. Additionally, some of these secreted toxins and exoenzymes can cause disruption of endothelial and epithelial barriers through cell lysis and cleavage of junction proteins. A unique feature when examining the repertoire of S. aureus secreted virulence factors is the apparent functional redundancy exhibited by the majority of the toxins and exoenzymes. However, closer examination of each virulence factor revealed that each has unique properties that have important functional consequences. This chapter provides a brief overview of our current understanding of the major secreted virulence factors critical for S. aureus pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayan Tam
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016
| | - Victor J Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Science, New York, NY 10016
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Patočka J, Středa L. Protein Biotoxins of Military Significance. ACTA MEDICA (HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ) 2018. [DOI: 10.14712/18059694.2017.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
There is a spectrum of several threat agents, ranging from nerve agents and mustard agents to natural substances, such as biotoxins and new, synthetic, bioactive molecules produced by the chemical industry, to the classical biological warfare agents. The new, emerging threat agents are biotoxins produced by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Many types of organisms produce substances that are toxic to humans. Examples of such biotoxins are botulinum toxin, tetanus toxin, and ricin. Several bioactive molecules produced by the pharmaceutical industry can be even more toxic than are the classical chemical warfare agents. Such new agents, like the biotoxins and bioregulators, often are called mid-spectrum agents. The threat to humans from agents developed by modern chemical synthesis and by genetic engineering also must be considered, since such agents may be more toxic or more effective in causing death or incapacitation than classical warfare agents. By developing effective medical protection and treatment against the most likely chemical and mid-spectrum threat agents, the effects of such agents in a war scenario or following a terrorist attack can be reduced. Toxin-mediated diseases have made humans ill for millennia. Unfortunately, the use of biological agents as weapons of terror has now been realized, and separating naturally occurring disease from bioterroristic events has become an important public health goal. The key to timely identification of such attacks relies on education of primary care physicians, first responders, and public health officials.
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Abstract
Virulence of many bacterial pathogens is based, at least in part, on the action of phospholipases. The consequences may be immediate and direct, as in the action of Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin on red cells or platelets, or subtle, as with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipases of Listeria monocytogenes and other bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Songer
- Dept of Veterinary Science, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA.
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Abstract
A variety of pathogenic bacteria produce phospholipases C, and since the discovery in 1944 that a bacterial toxin (Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin) possessed an enzymatic activity, there has been considerable interest in this class of proteins. Initial speculation that all phospholipases C would have lethal properties has not been substantiated. Most of the characterized enzymes fall into one of four groups of structurally related proteins: the zinc-metallophospholipases C, the sphingomyelinases, the phosphatidylinositol-hydrolyzing enzymes, and the pseudomonad phospholipases C. The zinc-metallophospholipases C have been most intensively studied, and lethal toxins within this group possess an additional domain. The toxic phospholipases C can interact with eukaryotic cell membranes and hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, leading to cell lysis. However, measurement of the cytolytic potential or lethality of phospholipases C may not accurately indicate their roles in the pathogenesis of disease. Subcytolytic concentrations of phospholipase C can perturb host cells by activating the arachidonic acid cascade or protein kinase C. Nonlethal phospholipases C, such as the Listeria monocytogenes PLC-A, appear to enhance the release of the organism from the host cell phagosome. Since some phospholipases C play important roles in the pathogenesis of disease, they could form components of vaccines. A greater understanding of the modes of action and structure-function relationships of phospholipases C will facilitate the interpretation of studies in which these enzymes are used as membrane probes and will enhance the use of these proteins as models for eukaryotic phospholipases C.
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Titball
- Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
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Linder R. Alteration of mammalian membranes by the cooperative and antagonistic actions of bacterial proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1984; 779:423-35. [PMID: 6391548 DOI: 10.1016/0304-4157(84)90019-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Aikawa M, Miller LH, Rabbege JR, Epstein N. Freeze-fracture study on the erythrocyte membrane during malarial parasite invasion. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 1981; 91:55-62. [PMID: 7298726 PMCID: PMC2111932 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.91.1.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasion of erythrocytes by malarial merozoites requires the formation of a junction between the merozoite and the erythrocyte. Migration of the junction parallel to the long axis of the merozoite occurs during the entry of the merozoite into an invagination of the erythrocyte. Freeze-fracture shows a narrow circumferential band of rhomboidally arrayed particles on the P face of the erythrocyte membrane at the neck of the erythrocyte invagination and matching rhomboidally arrayed pits on the E face. The band corresponds to the junction between the erythrocyte and merozoite membranes observed in thin sections and may represent the anchorage sites of the contractile proteins within the erythrocyte. Intramembrane particles (IMP) on the P face of the erythrocyte membrane disappear beyond this junction. When the erythrocytes and cytochalasin B-treated merozoites are incubated together, the merozoite attaches to the erythrocyte membrane and a junction is formed between the two, but the invasion process does not advance further and no movement of the junction occurs. Although there is no entry of the parasite, the erythrocyte membrane still invaginates. Freeze-fracture shows that the P face of the invaginated erythrocyte membrane is almost devoid of the IMP that are found elsewhere on the membrane, suggesting that the attachment process in and of itself is sufficient to create a relatively IMP-free bilayer.
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Gubash SM. Synergistic haemolysis test for presumptive identification and differentiation of Clostridium perfringens, C. bifermentans, C. sordellii, and C. paraperfringens. J Clin Pathol 1980; 33:395-9. [PMID: 6249855 PMCID: PMC1146087 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.33.4.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A new test for the presumptive identification of Clostridium perfringens, C. bifermentans, C. sordellii, and C. paraperfringens is described. The test is based on the synergistic haemolysis shown by the clostridia and group B streptococci on sheep and human and CaCl2-supplemented human blood agar. C. perfringens gave crescent-shaped synergistic lytic zones (7 to over 20 mm in length), and C. paraperfringens usually small-sized (3 mm), bullet-shaped reactions on all three types of media. C. bifermentans showed a horseshoe-shaped synergistic reaction only on human blood containing media, and C. sordellii only on CaCl2-supplemented human blood agar. C. perfringens type A antiserum inhibited synergistic lytic activities of the four species. The test provided a reliable method for presumptive identification and differentiation of the four clostridial species and may obviate the need for the Nagler test.
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Ikezawa H, Mori M, Taguchi R. Studies on sphingomyelinase of Bacillus cereus: hydrolytic and hemolytic actions on erythrocyte membranes. Arch Biochem Biophys 1980; 199:572-8. [PMID: 6244783 DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(80)90315-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Wilkinson PC, Allan RB. Binding of protein chemotactic factors to the surfaces of neutrophil leukocytes and its modification with lipid-specific bacterial toxins. Mol Cell Biochem 1978; 20:25-40. [PMID: 672903 DOI: 10.1007/bf00229452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The binding to neutrophil leukoyctes of human serum albumin (HSA), which is chemokinetic for leukocytes, i.e. influences their rate of locomotion, and of alkali-denatured HSA, which is chemotactic for leukocytes, i.e. influences their direction of locomotion, was studied. Native serum albumin showed low affinity binding to the neutrophil surface. Denatured serum albumin showed saturable binding with a Ka of approximately 1-(6) litres per mole to about 10(6) binding sites per cell. Another protein chemotactic factor, alpha5-casein, gave similar binding. These results exclude that chemotactic reactions to denatured proteins are mediated in a completely non-specific manner and suggest the presence on the cell of a restricted number of defined recognition sites. Binding was reduced following treatment of the cells with either of two lipid-specific bacterial toxins, perfringolysin, the theta-toxin of Clostridium perfringens, an oxygen-labile cholesterol-specific toxin, and Staphylococcus aureus Sphingomyelinase C. Both have previously been shown to reduce chemotactic reactions and both were used at doses which did not reduce cell viability. These results suggest an important, and possiblly direct, role for membrane lipid in the binding sites for chemotactic factors. Visual analysis of the behaviour of perfringolysin-treated neutrophils showed that these cells were still capable of chemotactic locomotion. The cells appeared to be less efficient than normal in detecting chemotactic gradients only when at a distance from the gradient source, a finding which is consistent with reduced binding of the chemotactic factor to the cell surface.
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Low DK, Freer JH. The purificaton of β-lysin (spingomyelinase C) fromstaphylococcus aureus. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1977. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1977.tb00926.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Low DK, H. Freer J. Biological effects of highly purified β-lysin (sphingomyelinase C) from Staphylococcus aureus. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1977. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1977.tb00925.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Freitas AA, de Sousa M. Control mechanism of lymphocyte traffic. Altered migration of 51Cr-labeled mouse lymph node cells pretreated in vitro with phospholipases. Eur J Immunol 1976; 6:703-11. [PMID: 827945 DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830061009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Glycoproteins have so far been the only surface components thought to be of importance in the process of recognition between circulating lymphocytes and endothelial cells of the lymph node post-capillary venules and thus in the control of lymphocyte traffic. In this paper the effect of in vitro treatment of 51Cr-labeled mouse lymph node cells with phospholipases (PL) (A and C) on their migration into syngeneic recipients was investigated. PL-A and PL-C treated cells migrated differently from control (untreated) cells. Diminished numbers of PL-A-treated lymphocytes were found in the lymph nodes at 1, 6 and 24 h after cell transfer with a simultaneous increase in the lungs at 1 h, and spleen at 6 h after transfer. PL-C-treated cells remained in the blood longer than untreated cells. We conclude that factors other than the integrity of surface glycoproteins are involved in the control of lymphocyte traffic. The roles played by cell adhesion, in particular cell-to-cell interactions in regulating the rate of cell migration, are discussed.
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Wilkinson PC. Inhibition of leukocyte locomotion and chemotaxis by lipid-specific bacterial toxins. Nature 1975; 255:485-7. [PMID: 1138198 DOI: 10.1038/255485a0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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