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Systemic spread of EHEC virulence by host cell-derived microparticles

Applicant Dr. Sebastian Loos
Subject Area Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
Term from 2013 to 2016
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 250089779
 
Final Report Year 2016

Final Report Abstract

Infections with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) can be complicated by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is defined by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney failure. Shiga toxin (Stx) is the crucial virulence factor produced by EHEC. In patients with HUS Stx is found within blood cell-derived microvesicles (MVs). MVs possess prothrombotic and pro-inflammatory potential and Stx might be transferred within MVs to the target organs (e.g. kidney). In this study we used well-established mouse models of EHEC infection and Stx injection mimicking certain aspects of HUS. We used the P2X1 purinergic receptor inhibitor Suramin to reduce the release of MVs from platelets and thus interfere with the transfer of Stx to its target organs. We can show that platelet-derived MVs are significantly increased in mice infected with EHEC and injected with Stx2 i. p. prior to the development of symptoms. These MVs contain Stx2. Furthermore the amount of MVs could be significantly reduced in mice treated with Suramin, a P2X1 purinergic receptor inhibitor. There was a tendency to a lower prevalence of signs of disease in mice injected with Stx2 and treated with Suramin. Mice lacking the purinergic receptor P2X1 had lower MV levels and were protected from development of signs of disease. MVs were significantly reduced in mice treated with a purinergic receptor inhibitor and in mice lacking this receptor. A microvesicle-targeted treatment could potentially reduce signs of disease in the mouse model. This might offer a treatment concept in the future in patients considering the pathomechanisms involved in the development of HUS.

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