The Interactions of Human Neutrophils with Shiga Toxins and Related Plant Toxins: Danger or Safety?

The Interactions of Human Neutrophils with Shiga Toxins and Related Plant Toxins: Danger or Safety?

Shiga toxins and ricin are well characterized similar toxins belonging to quite different biological kingdoms. Plant and bacteria have evolved the ability to produce these powerful toxins in parallel, while humans have evolved a defense system that recognizes molecular patterns common to foreign molecules through specific receptors expressed on the surface of the main actors of innate immunity,...

The Antibiotic Polymyxin B Impairs the Interactions between Shiga Toxins and Human Neutrophils.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is the life-threatenig sequela of intestinal infections by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in children. Human neutrophils specifically bind Stx through TLR4, the receptor of LPS. The binding could be considered protective (Stx sequestration) or harmful (toxin delivery to target organs). The amount of Stx on neutrophils is in equilibrium with t...

Interactions between Shiga toxins and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Human intestinal infections by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli cause hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which represents the main cause of acute renal failure in early childhood. In HUS, Stx released in the gut enter the bloodstream and are targeted to renal endothelium. The mechanism of toxin delivery is still a matter of debate, although the role of polymorp...

Shiga and Shiga-like toxins.

Shiga toxins and apoptosis.

The enteric pathogens Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause bloody diarrheal diseases that may progress to life-threatening extraintestinal complications. Although the S. dysenteriae and STEC differ in the expression of a number of virulence determinants, they share the capacity to produce one or more potent cytotoxins, called Shiga toxins (Stxs...