<i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> Leukotoxin (LtxA; Leukothera<sup>®</sup>): Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Applications

<i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> is an oral pathogen that produces the RTX toxin, leukotoxin (LtxA; Leukothera<sup>&#174;</sup>). <i>A. actinomycetemcomitans</i> is strongly associated with the development of localized aggressive periodontitis. Ltx...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brian A. Vega, Benjamin A. Belinka Jr., Scott C. Kachlany
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
Series:Toxins
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/11/9/489
Description
Summary:<i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> is an oral pathogen that produces the RTX toxin, leukotoxin (LtxA; Leukothera<sup>&#174;</sup>). <i>A. actinomycetemcomitans</i> is strongly associated with the development of localized aggressive periodontitis. LtxA acts as a virulence factor for <i>A. actinomycetemcomitans</i> to subvert the host immune response by binding to the &#946;<sub>2</sub> integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; CD11a/CD18) on white blood cells (WBCs), causing cell death. In this paper, we reviewed the state of knowledge on LtxA interaction with WBCs and the subsequent mechanisms of induced cell death. Finally, we touched on the potential therapeutic applications of LtxA (trade name Leukothera<sup>&#174;</sup>) toxin therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies and immune-mediated diseases.
ISSN:2072-6651