Staphylococcal Immune Evasion Toxins
Ries J. Langley, Thomas Proft, and John D. Fraser
from: Microbial Toxins: Current Research and Future Trends (Edited by: Thomas Proft). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2009)
Abstract
With the advent of complete microbial genomes, the identification and characterisation of novel immune evasion proteins from Staphylococcus aureus has increased significantly. Studies of these proteins have revealed significant conservation of protein structures and a range of activities that are all directed at the two key elements of host immunity, complement and neutrophils. This chapter focuses on some of these secreted virulence factors and the ways in which they assist the bacterium to surivive in the face of a hostile immune response. In particular, the chapter discusses the structure and function of complement inhibiting molecules SSL7, CHIPS, Efb, Ehp, SCIN, and Sbi and the leukocyte inhibiting SAgs, SSLs, CHIPS, and Eap read more ...
