Enterococcus-derived cytolysin exacerbates ischemic stroke by disrupting the blood-brain barrier via NLRP3 activation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ischemic stroke remains a major global health burden. Enterococcus, which is enriched in the gut of stroke patients, produces cytolysin-a pore-forming toxin that disrupts cell membranes. Gut barrier damage may allow such toxins to enter circulation and impair the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, cytolysin-induced BBB disruption via NLRP3 inflammasome activation was investigated with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets for stroke.

Methods

Ischemic stroke patients were enrolled within 48 h of onset at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Rectal swabs were collected for 16 S rRNA sequencing and analyzed via QIIME. To investigate the effects of cytolysin-positive Enterococcus on BBB integrity and NLRP3 activation, a photothr

SUBMITTER: Huang JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12607168 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature