Dataset Information

Chronic Staphylococcus aureus Superantigen Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 Exposure Accelerates the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Rabbits.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It has been reported that infectious agents contribute to the atherosclerotic process. However, it is unclear whether Staphylococcus aureus superantigen (SAg) toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) has an effect on atherosclerosis progression. The present study was designed to investigate the pathogenic role of TSST-1 exposure in the atherosclerotic process in rabbits.

Methods

New Zealand White rabbits were exposed to TSST-1 through Alzet miniosmotic pumps with a constant pumping rate. Aortic atherosclerosis was evaluated by histological and morphometric methods. Using a biochemical analyzer/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay/immunostaining, we further analyzed various atherosclerosis-related factors.

Results

The gross atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortic arch increased by 15.3% in high-fat-diet rabbits exposed to TSST-1 compared to that in the control group. In the atherosclerotic lesions, TSST-1 exposure increased the content of smooth muscle cells. Moreover, TSST-1 treatment up-regulated serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level, but did not affect serum lipids (except for triglycerides) and endotoxin in the rabbits.

Conclusions

Our data validated that chronic stimulation with TSST-1 facilitates the progression of atherosclerosis in rabbits independently of endotoxins, indicating that S. aureus and its SAgs may be targets to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.

SUBMITTER: Zhao H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6933490 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Chronic <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Superantigen Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 Exposure Accelerates the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Rabbits.

Zhao Huanqiang H Chen Lei L He Chunyan C Li Shaobo S Yang Han H Xu Xiaogang X Hu Fupin F Cui Zelin Z Liu Qingzhong Q

Acta Cardiologica Sinica 20200101 1

<h4>Background</h4>It has been reported that infectious agents contribute to the atherosclerotic process. However, it is unclear whether <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> superantigen (SAg) toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) has an effect on atherosclerosis progression. The present study was designed to investigate the pathogenic role of TSST-1 exposure in the atherosclerotic process in rabbits.<h4>Methods</h4>New Zealand White rabbits were exposed to TSST-1 through Alzet miniosmotic pumps with a ...[more]

PMID: 31903005

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