Staphylococcal alpha-toxin-induced contraction of isolated arterial smooth muscle

Alpha-toxin of Staphylococcus aureus.

“…The question of whether toxin exerts pathophysiologically relevant effects via its action on the central nervous system should therefore today be regarded critically. Other earlier work provided evidence that alpha-toxin promoted vasospasm of blood vessels (146,147), possibly as a result of its action on smooth muscle cells (42,171). According to a preliminary report (mentioned in reference 83), cardiac output also declined after toxin application, supporting the notion that lethality may be due primarily to cardiovascular collapse.…”

“…In addition to erythrocytes, a wide variety of cells including macrophages, skin epithelium, rabbit kidney cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and mast cells responded to toxin attack (see reference 83 for compilations). Diverse reactions in these cells were noted; they included liberation of lysosomal enzymes and spastic contraction of smooth muscle cells (83,171). These data were significant because they gave an early indication that the action of alpha-toxin was not confined to erythrocytes and that nucleated cells might respond to toxin attack with a spectrum of secondary reactions.…”