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Ex Vivo Infection of Live Tissue with Oncolytic Viruses
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Ex Vivo Infection of Live Tissue with Oncolytic Viruses

Published on: June 25, 2011

PLAGUE TOXIN: ITS EFFECT IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

J H RUST, D C CAVANAUGH, S KADIS

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |October 18, 1963
    PubMed

    Insights

    The Pasteurella pestis toxin affects heart mitochondria respiration in mice and rats, but not in rabbits or primates. Electrocardiogram changes were observed in rats, indicating cardiac effects of the toxin.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Toxicology
    • Cardiology

    Background:

    • Pasteurella pestis is a bacterium responsible for plague.
    • Toxins produced by pathogens can significantly impact host physiology.
    • Understanding toxin mechanisms is crucial for developing treatments.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of the murine toxin from Pasteurella pestis on heart mitochondria respiration.
    • To assess the impact of the toxin on cardiac function using electrocardiograms (ECGs).

    Main Methods:

    • Mitochondrial respiration assays were performed using heart mitochondria from various species (rat, mouse, rabbit, chimpanzee, dog, monkey).
    • Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded from rats and rabbits following toxin administration.
    • Control groups included rats experiencing hemorrhagic shock, hypoxia, glucose intoxication, or E. coli endotoxin exposure.

    Main Results:

    • The Pasteurella pestis toxin inhibited heart mitochondria respiration in rats and mice.
    • Little to no effect on respiration was observed in mitochondria from rabbits, chimpanzees, dogs, and monkeys.
    • ECG alterations (S-T segment changes) were noted in rats treated with the toxin.
    • No ECG abnormalities were observed in rabbits treated with the toxin or in control rats.

    Conclusions:

    • The murine toxin of Pasteurella pestis exhibits species-specific effects on mitochondrial respiration.
    • The toxin appears to directly affect cardiac function, as evidenced by ECG changes in rats.
    • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms of toxin-induced cardiotoxicity.
    Keywords:
    APESDOGSELECTROCARDIOGRAPHYEXPERIMENTAL LAB STUDYMETABOLISMMICEMITOCHONDRIAMONKEYSMYOCARDIUMPLAGUERABBITSRATSTOXINS AND ANTITOXINS

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