Interaction of Clostridium difficile toxin A with cultured cells: cytoskeletal changes and nuclear polarization.

AUTOR(ES)

Fiorentini, C

RESUMO

Experiments done on in vitro-cultured cells exposed to toxin A from C. difficile showed a series of cytopathologic changes leading to cell retraction and rounding accompanied by the marginalization of the nucleus, which localized at one pole of the cell. Cytoskeleton appeared to be strongly involved in such modifications. In particular, the microfilament system seemed to be involved in cell retraction, while microtubule network integrity and function seemed to be necessary for the nuclear displacement. The carboxylic ionophore monensin completely blocked the cytopathic effect when added with the toxin. The serine protease inhibitor chymostatin appeared to be protective also upon addition long after the end of the binding step. The Ca2(+)-dependent cytosolic protease inhibitors antipain and leupeptin were uneffective in protecting cells. Thus, our results suggest the involvement of an acidic compartment and the action of a serine protease in toxin A-induced cytopathic effect.

Documentos Relacionados

• Clostridium difficile toxin A perturbs cytoskeletal structure and tight junction permeability of cultured human intestinal epithelial monolayers.
• Morphological and biochemical study of cytoskeletal changes in cultured cells after extracellular application of Clostridium novyi alpha-toxin.
• Clostridium difficile Toxin B Induces Apoptosis in Intestinal Cultured Cells
• Clostridium difficile Toxin B Induces Apoptosis in Intestinal Cultured Cells
• Intoxication of cultured human lung fibroblasts with Clostridium difficile toxin.