Pneumolysin will be used as a model for host-mediated pathogenesis in ocular infections involving cytolytic toxins. Toxin-target cell interactions will be studied at the molecular and cellular levels, including: an examination of pneumolysin-stimulated secretion of collagenase by corneal explants, fibroblasts and epithelial cells; of the effects of potential inhibitors on these systems; of a possible role for plasminogen in the pneumolysin stimulation. The function of pneumolysin in the physiology of the pneumococcus will also be studied and the gene encoding pneumolysin will be cloned, permitting evaluation of the role of pneumolysin in virulence, determination of its amino acid sequence, and identification of possible genetic regulatory elements.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY000424-17
Application #
3255342
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Project Start
1978-08-01
Project End
1988-09-29
Budget Start
1986-09-30
Budget End
1987-09-29
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tulane University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70118
Johnson, M K; Callegan, M C; Engel, L S et al. (1995) Growth and virulence of a complement-activation-negative mutant of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the rabbit cornea. Curr Eye Res 14:281-4
Johnson, M K; Hobden, J A; O'Callaghan, R J et al. (1992) Confirmation of the role of pneumolysin in ocular infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Curr Eye Res 11:1221-5
Johnson, M K; Hobden, J A; Hagenah, M et al. (1990) The role of pneumolysin in ocular infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Curr Eye Res 9:1107-14
Johnson, M K; Gebhardt, B M; Berman, M B (1988) Appearance of collagenase in pneumolysin-treated corneal fibroblast cultures. Curr Eye Res 7:951-3
Walker, J A; Allen, R L; Falmagne, P et al. (1987) Molecular cloning, characterization, and complete nucleotide sequence of the gene for pneumolysin, the sulfhydryl-activated toxin of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Infect Immun 55:1184-9