Histopathological studies of staphylococcal alpha-toxin: effects on rabbit corneas

Current Eye Research
J M MoreauRichard J O'Callaghan

Abstract

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated, in a rabbit model of keratitis, a relationship between the corneal virulence of Staphylococcus aureus and the alpha-toxin activity of the infecting bacteria. This study is a histopathological characterization of the action of purified alpha-toxin on corneal tissue. Alpha-toxin was purified by isoelectric focusing and intrastromally injected into rabbit corneas (2 micrograms per cornea). A kinetic analysis of toxin effect was performed following injection. Normal corneas and corneas injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or heat-inactivated alpha-toxin in PBS served as controls. Eyes were examined from 0 to 4 h by slit lamp examination (SLE) and scored on the basis of seven ocular parameters. Corneal tissue was removed and examined for histopathological changes. From 0.5 to 4 h post-injection, alpha-toxin injection induced a significant increase in the SLE score relative to untreated eyes or eyes injected with PBS (P < 0.0001). Histolo-pathological examination of corneas one-half h after alpha-toxin injection revealed edema of the central cornea and death of epithelial cells by both necrosis and apoptosis. Later times showed continued edema and loss of apparently no...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 25, 2004·BMC Ophthalmology·Geeta K VemugantiSavitri Sharma
Nov 5, 2011·Current Eye Research·Anastasia C WeeksRichard O'Callaghan
Jan 11, 2018·Pathogens·Richard J O'Callaghan
Oct 30, 2018·Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·Koji SugiokaTeruo Nishida
Aug 9, 2002·DNA and Cell Biology·Joseph J DajcsRichard J O'Callaghan
Oct 7, 2011·Journal of Applied Microbiology·J WangX Deng
Feb 1, 2013·Journal of Ophthalmology·Mary E Marquart, Richard J O'Callaghan
Oct 1, 2014·Current Eye Research·Angela M AranaRichard J O'Callaghan
Mar 28, 2017·Current Eye Research·Michael A BierdemanRichard J O'Callaghan
Jun 30, 2019·Toxins·Roger AstleyMichelle C Callegan
Aug 25, 2012·Current Eye Research·Aihua TangRichard J O'Callaghan
Jun 10, 2014·Ocular Immunology and Inflammation·Armando R CaballeroRichard J O'Callaghan
Feb 13, 2001·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·N BalabanO Uziel
Jun 8, 2021·Experimental Eye Research·Lawson Ung, James Chodosh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Adhesion Molecules in Health and Disease

Cell adhesion molecules are a subset of cell adhesion proteins located on the cell surface involved in binding with other cells or with the extracellular matrix in the process called cell adhesion. In essence, cell adhesion molecules help cells stick to each other and to their surroundings. Cell adhesion is a crucial component in maintaining tissue structure and function. Discover the latest research on adhesion molecule and their role in health and disease here.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis