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Updated: May 11, 2026

Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
Published on: January 3, 2020
The staphylococcal toxin Panton-Valentine Leukocidin targets human C5a receptors
András N Spaan1, Thomas Henry2, Willemien J M van Rooijen1
1Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) is a staphylococcal bicomponent pore-forming toxin linked to severe invasive infections. Target-cell and species specificity of PVL are poorly understood, and the mechanism of action of this toxin in Staphylococcus aureus virulence is controversial. Here, we identify the human complement receptors C5aR and C5L2 as host targets of PVL, mediating both toxin binding and cytotoxicity. Expression and interspecies variations of the C5aR determine cell and species specificity of PVL. The C5aR binding PVL component, LukS-PV, is a potent inhibitor of C5a-induced immune cell activation. These findings provide insight into leukocidin function and staphylococcal virulence and offer directions for future investigations into individual susceptibility to severe staphylococcal disease.
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