Modelling Staphylococcus aureus-induced septicemia using NMR

摘要: We present a novel NMR-based study of the molecular aspects of the “attack” on human red blood cells (RBCs) by growing bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus expresses virulence factors, including α-haemolysin, which contribute to the clinical condition known as septic shock (Bhakdi & Tranum-Jensen, 1991). α-Haemolysin is a pore-forming toxin and its secretion increases the permeability of a range of mammalian cell types infected with S. aureus (McEwen & Arion, 1985). 31P NMR spectra of the probe molecules dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and hypophosphite (HPA) in RBC suspensions show separate intra-and extracellular resonances (Kirk & Kuchel, 1986). These resonances coalesced over time in RBC suspensions inoculated with S. aureus or pure α-haemolysin, due to increasing permeability of the RBC membrane. Increased RBC permeability resulted in leakage of intracellular proteins, plus an …