Role of Pore-Forming Toxins in Neonatal Sepsis

• Published in: Clinical & developmental immunology 2013-01, Vol.2013 (2013), p.1-13
• Main Authors: Sonnen, Andreas F.-P., Henneke, Philipp
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Bacterial infections; Bacteriology; Cell Membrane - chemistry; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell Membrane Permeability; E coli; Escherichia coli; Gram-Negative Bacteria - growth & development; Gram-Negative Bacteria - immunology; Gram-Negative Bacteria - pathogenicity; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - immunology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - pathology; Gram-Positive Bacteria - growth & development; Gram-Positive Bacteria - immunology; Gram-Positive Bacteria - pathogenicity; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - immunology; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - microbiology; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - pathology; Humans; Immunology; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - immunology; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - microbiology; Infant, Newborn, Diseases - pathology; Listeria monocytogenes; Membranes; Microbiology; Newborn babies; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins - biosynthesis; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins - chemistry; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins - immunology; Protein Structure, Secondary; Proteins; Review; Sepsis; Sepsis - immunology; Sepsis - microbiology; Sepsis - pathology; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus infections; Toxins; Vaccines; Virulence Factors - biosynthesis; Virulence Factors - chemistry; Virulence Factors - immunology
• ISSN: 2314-8861; 1740-2522; 2314-7156; 1740-2530
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/608456

Protein toxins are important virulence factors contributing to neonatal sepsis. The major pathogens of neonatal sepsis, group B Streptococci, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, secrete toxins of different molecular nature, which are key for defining the disease. Amongst these toxins are pore-forming exotoxins that are expressed as soluble monomers prior to engagement of the target cell membrane with subsequent formation of an aqueous membrane pore. Membrane pore formation is not only a means for immediate lysis of the targeted cell but also a general mechanism that contributes to penetration of epithelial barriers and evasion of the immune system, thus creating survival niches for the pathogens. Pore-forming toxins, however, can also contribute to the induction of inflammation and hence to the manifestation of sepsis. Clearly, pore-forming toxins are not the sole factors that drive sepsis progression, but they often act in concert with other bacterial effectors, especially in the initial stages of neonatal sepsis manifestation.