Cellular and systemic effects of anthrax lethal toxin and edema toxin

Mol Aspects Med. 2009 Dec;30(6):439-55. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2009.07.003. Epub 2009 Jul 26.

Abstract

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET) are the major virulence factors of anthrax and can replicate the lethality and symptoms associated with the disease. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of anthrax toxin effects in animal models and the cytotoxicity (necrosis and apoptosis) induced by LT in different cells. A brief reexamination of early historic findings on toxin in vivo effects in the context of our current knowledge is also presented.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Bacillus anthracis* / metabolism
  • Bacillus anthracis* / pathogenicity
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Endocytosis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism
  • Receptors, Peptide / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Receptors, Peptide
  • Virulence Factors
  • anthrax toxin
  • anthrax toxin receptors