Staphylococcal immune evasion toxins

Abstract

With the advent of complete microbial genomes, the identification and characterization of novel immune evasion proteins from Staphylococcus aureus has increased significantly. Studies of these proteins have revealed significant conservation of protein structures and a range of activities that are all directed at the two key elements of host immunity, complement and neutrophils. This chapter focuses on some of these secreted virulence factors and the ways in which they assist the bacterium to survive in the face of a hostile immune response. In particular, the chapter discusses the structure and function of complement inhibiting molecules SSL7, CHIPS, Efb, Ehp, SCIN, and Sbi and the leucocyte-inhibiting SAgs, SSLs, CHIPS, and Eap.