Biomaterial Database

The effects of Staphylococcus aureus leukotoxins on the host: cell lysis and beyond. 2013

Pauline Yoong, and Victor J Torres

Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, United States.

The success of Staphylococcus aureus as a leading cause of deadly hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections is attributed to its high-level resistance to most antibiotics, and the multitude of virulence factors it elaborates. Most clinical isolates produce up to four bi-component pore-forming toxins capable of lysing cells of the immune system. Subtle differences in activity and target range of each leukotoxin suggest that these toxins are not redundant, but instead may have specialized functions in attacking and/or evading host defenses. In turn, the host has developed countermeasures recognizing sublytic levels of leukotoxins as signals to activate protective immune defenses. The opposing cytotoxic and immune-activating effects of leukotoxins on host cells make for a complex dynamic between S. aureus and the host.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007962	Leukocytes	White blood cells. These include granular leukocytes (BASOPHILS; EOSINOPHILS; and NEUTROPHILS) as well as non-granular leukocytes (LYMPHOCYTES and MONOCYTES).	Blood Cells, White,Blood Corpuscles, White,White Blood Cells,White Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, White,Blood Corpuscle, White,Corpuscle, White Blood,Corpuscles, White Blood,Leukocyte,White Blood Cell,White Blood Corpuscle
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008958	Models, Molecular	Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures.	Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D005098	Exotoxins	Toxins produced, especially by bacterial or fungal cells, and released into the culture medium or environment.	Exotoxin
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013211	Staphylococcus aureus	Potentially pathogenic bacteria found in nasal membranes, skin, hair follicles, and perineum of warm-blooded animals. They may cause a wide range of infections and intoxications.
D054884	Host-Pathogen Interactions	The interactions between a host and a pathogen, usually resulting in disease.	Host Pathogen Interaction,Host-Pathogen Relations,Pathogen-Host Interaction,Pathogen-Host Interactions,Host Pathogen Interactions,Host Pathogen Relations,Host-Pathogen Interaction,Host-Pathogen Relation,Interaction, Host Pathogen,Interaction, Host-Pathogen,Interaction, Pathogen-Host,Interactions, Host Pathogen,Interactions, Host-Pathogen,Interactions, Pathogen-Host,Pathogen Host Interaction,Pathogen Host Interactions,Pathogen Interaction, Host,Pathogen Interactions, Host,Relation, Host-Pathogen,Relations, Host-Pathogen
D057131	Immune Evasion	Methods used by pathogenic organisms to evade a host's immune system.	Evasion, Immune,Evasions, Immune,Immune Evasions
D037521	Virulence Factors	Those components of an organism that determine its capacity to cause disease but are not required for its viability per se. Two classes have been characterized: TOXINS, BIOLOGICAL and surface adhesion molecules that effect the ability of the microorganism to invade and colonize a host. (From Davis et al., Microbiology, 4th ed. p486)	Pathogenicity Factor,Pathogenicity Factors,Virulence Factor,Factor, Pathogenicity,Factor, Virulence,Factors, Pathogenicity,Factors, Virulence