Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that can cause fatal acute lung infections in critically ill individuals. Damage to the lung epithelium is associated with the expression of toxins that are directly injected into eukaryotic cells through a type III-mediated secretion and translocation mechanism. Here we show that the P. aeruginosa homolog of the Yersinia V antigen, PcrV, is involved in the translocation of type III toxins. Vaccination against PcrV ensured the survival of challenged mice and decreased lung inflammation and injury. Antibodies to PcrV inhibited the translocation of type III toxins.
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Acknowledgements
The technical assistance from R. Shanks and A.J. Vallis is appreciated. V Finck-Barbançon contributed LPS-free rExoU for these studies. This work was supported by Public Service Grants from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Heart, Lung Blood Institute, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
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Sawa, T., Yahr, T., Ohara, M. et al. Active and passive immunization with the Pseudomonas V antigen protects against type III intoxication and lung injury. Nat Med 5, 392–398 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/7391
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/7391
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