Phospholipase A secreted by Legionella pneumophila destroys alveolar surfactant phospholipids

Destruction of alveolar surfactant phospholipids by bacterial phospholipases is suggested to be a major virulence factor involved in bacterial pneumonia. Since Legionella pneumophila secretes phospholipase A, we analyzed phospholipid degradation in natural bovine surfactant by L. pneumophila. Phosph...

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Published inFEMS microbiology letters Vol. 188; no. 2; pp. 129 - 133
Main Authors Flieger, Antje, Gong, Shimei, Faigle, Marion, Mayer, Hermann August, Kehrer, Ulf, Mußotter, Josef, Bartmann, Peter, Neumeister, Birgid
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 15.07.2000
Subjects
Alveolar surfactant
Legionella
Legionella pneumophila
lysophosphatidylcholine
Phospholipase A
Phospholipid
surface tension
Phospholipid
Legionella
Alveolar surfactant
Phospholipase A
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Summary:Destruction of alveolar surfactant phospholipids by bacterial phospholipases is suggested to be a major virulence factor involved in bacterial pneumonia. Since Legionella pneumophila secretes phospholipase A, we analyzed phospholipid degradation in natural bovine surfactant by L. pneumophila. Phospholipids were reduced in amount after incubation with bacteria or culture supernatant of L. pneumophila serogroup 6. Free fatty acids and lysophosphatidylcholine were formed, the latter is known to be highly cytotoxic. Surface tension of surfactant as determined by pulsating bubble surfactometer increased significantly compared to the control. Phospholipase A activity seems to be a powerful agent of legionellae in causing lung disease.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:0378-1097
1574-6968
DOI:10.1016/S0378-1097(00)00225-1