Cellular vacuolation and mitochondrial-associated factors induced by Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin detected using acoustic flow cytometry

Author(s)

Ferrarezi, Marina C. ^[1] ; Curci, Vera C. L. M. ^[2] ; Cardoso, Tereza C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo State, Dept Apoio Prod & Saude Anim, BR-16050680 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] APTA, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Anaerobe; v. 24, p. 55-59, DEC 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Epsilon toxin (ETX) produced by Clostridium perfringens types B and D is a potent toxin that is responsible for fatal enterotoxaemia. In vitro, ETX, which is considered as a pore-forming toxin, forms a heptamer in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MOCK) cell membranes, which is considered to be a pre-pore stage. After binding of the ETX, vacuoles inside cell cytoplasm are produced. ETX causes decreased levels of essential coenzymes required for host cell energy. Here, we optimized and applied acoustic flow cytometry analysis in order to gain further insight into ETX-pathogenesis. Using acoustic flow cytometer analysis, which considered highly sensitive, ETX-exposed MOCK cells revealed mitochondrial membrane decreases followed by 25.48% and 45.45% of the exposed cells expressing the Bax and BCL-2 proteins at a pre-pore stage, respectively. These results together with high cytotoxicity and visualization of cell vacuoles, demonstrates that acoustic flow cytometry analysis potentially represents an effective tool to study ETX pathogenesis. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/17635-3 - Epidemiology, pathology and molecular study of meningoencephalitis necrostizing caused by BoHV-5 infection
• Grantee: Tereza Cristina Cardoso da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants