Clostridium perfringens Epsilon Toxin Binds to and Kills Primary Human Lymphocytes

Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (ETX) is the third most lethal bacterial and has been suggested to be an environmental trigger of multiple sclerosis, immune-mediated disease human central nervous system. However, ETX cytotoxicity on primary cells not investigated. In this article, we demonstrate that preferentially binds kills lymphocytes expressing increased levels myelin lymphocyte protein MAL. Using flow cytometry, binding was determined time dose dependent highest for CD4+ cells, followed by CD8+ then CD19+ cells. Similar results were seen with ETX-induced cytotoxicity. To determine if preference related MAL expression, gene expression RT-qPCR. had amount Mal These data indicate are susceptible support hypothesis a main receptor ETX. Interestingly, bindings suggest may influence immune response in sclerosis.