Studies of the Biological and Molecular Basis of the Inhibition of Activity of Phagocytic Cells by Anthrax Toxin

Abstract

This report presents investigations of the effects of the toxin of Bacillus anthracis on phagocytic cells, and the biochemical reactions associated with these effects. Combinations of protective antigen (PA) plus edema factor (EF), and PA plus lethal factor (LF) markedly stimulated chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear neutrophilis (PMN), but had little effect on random migration. These effects were accompanied by a marked inhibition of the oxidative activity of these cells, as measured by a decrease in the formation of chloramines. PA + EF, but not PA + LF, produced a small but consistent increase in 3'5'- adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in PMN; the levels of cAMP were markedly lower than those produced by PA + EF in certain tissue culture cells, and those produced by the adenylate cyclase of Bordetella pertussia in PMN. Keywords: Respiratory burst.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA166855

Entities

People

  • Erik L. Hewlett
  • George C. Wright
  • Gerald L. Mandell

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Blood
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Granulocytes
  • Incubation
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine
  • Leukocytes
  • Nucleotides
  • Phagocytes
  • Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
  • Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
  • Rocket Oxidizers
  • Tissue Culture
  • Tissue Culture Cells

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Immunology
  • Microbial Pathology