Anthrax toxins suppress T lymphocyte activation by disrupting antigen receptor signaling

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20041557
• Publication Date: 2005-02-07T17:52:37Z
• Authors: Silvia Rossi Paccani; Fiorella Tonello; Raffaella Ghittoni; Mariarita Natale; Lucia Muraro; Mario Milco D'Elios; Wei-Jen Tang; Cesare Montecucco; Cosima T. Baldari
• Keywords: Bacillus anthracis; Anthrax toxin; NFAT; Superantigen

Anthrax is an infection caused by pathogenic strains of Bacillus anthracis, which secretes a three-component toxic complex consisting protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal (LF). PA forms binary complexes with either LF or EF mediates their entry into host cells. Although the initial phases bacterial growth occur in lymph node, fails to mount effective immune response. Here, we show that LT ET are potent suppressors human T cell activation proliferation triggered through receptor. Both inhibit mitogen-activated protein stress kinase pathways, both toxins NFAT AP-1, two transcription factors essential for cytokine gene expression. These data identify novel strategy evasion B. based on effector subunits complex, targeted key cellular component adaptive immunity.