Anthrolysin O: A New Virulence Factor of Bacillus anthracis
Author Information
Author(s): Elise M. Mosser, Richard F. Rest
Primary Institution: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hypothesis
ALO can be defined as a new B. anthracis virulence factor, which has the ability to lyse human monocytes, human monocyte-derived macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils.
Conclusion
The lethality of rALO and native ALO on human monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes supports the idea that ALO may represent a previously unidentified virulence factor of B. anthracis.
Supporting Evidence
- Recombinant ALO lyses human primary phagocytes and lymphocytes in a dose and time dependent manner.
- PMNs are the most sensitive to ALO mediated lysis with 50% lysis occurring at just 0.070 nM ALO.
- Only bacteria expressing ALO completely lyse THP-1s in the absence of serum.
Takeaway
This study shows that a protein from the anthrax bacteria can kill human immune cells, which might help the bacteria cause disease.
Methodology
The study used viability assays including trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase release to assess the cytotoxicity of recombinant and native ALO on various human cell types.
Limitations
The study does not fully elucidate the mechanism behind the differential susceptibility of various human cell types to ALO.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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