Effect of CV6209, A platelet-activating factor antagonist, on shiga toxin-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in human monocytic cells

摘要

The haemolytic ueaemic syndrome (HUS) is often associated with infection by enterhemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) that produce Shiga toxin (Stx). Stx is thought to damage human endothelial cells and lead to HUS. A number of observations indicate that cytokines, in particular tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, contribute to this pathologic process in HUS, since it regulates endothelial cell membrane expression of a glycolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), which serves as the Stx receptor. The degree of HuS is closely related to levels of TNF-alpha. In this study, we investigated whether CV6209, a platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, could modulate Stx-induced TNF-alpha production in human monocytic cells.