LysGH15 reduces the inflammation caused by lethal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice

Bioeng Bugs. 2011 Mar-Apr;2(2):96-9. doi: 10.4161/bbug.2.2.14883.

Abstract

The endolysin LysGH15, derived from staphylococcal phage GH15, has a wide lytic spectrum and strong lytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), in vitro and in vivo. Here, the ability of lethal MRSA to induce mRNA levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in spleen tissues of mice was studied. A large number of bacteria were detected in spleens. The bacteria caused elevated expression levels of these three cytokines. Administration of LysGH15 significantly reduced the number of bacteria and the levels of IL-6, IL-4, and IFN-γ mRNA in spleen cells compared with those in untreated mice at 24 h (P < 0.05). LysGH15 can eliminate a large number of bacteria and effectively alleviate inflammation induced by infection with lethal MRSA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / genetics
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Proteins / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Interleukin-6
  • Viral Proteins
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma