Recent Advances in Etiology of Shiga Toxins

Dear Colleagues,

Shigellosis, caused by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 or Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), continues to be a major public health threat and is a particular concern because of the potential to develop life-threatening extra-intestinal complications such as acute renal failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)) and CNS complications such as seizures, paralysis, and death. Once Shiga toxins (Stxs) are internalized following toxin-receptor binding on the host cellular surface, they are trafficked into the Golgi apparatus and to the ER in a retrograde manner in order to enter the host cell cytosol, leading to various host cellular responses, including protein synthesis inhibition and apoptosis through ER stress, autophagy, and inflammation. The distinct investigations into the host cell signaling responses activated by Stxs as multi-functional proteins will be necessary in order to identify novel targets for intervention in the pathogenesis. Moreover, many studies present compelling and strong evidence about therapeutic applications in order to target particular diseases, such as tumors, by engineering the toxins.

At a molecular, cellular, and clinical level, an improved understanding of the pathogenesis bacillary dysentery and hemorrhagic colitis, as well as the subsequent development of extra-intestinal/extra-renal complications caused by STEC, will be necessary in order to develop effective protective and interventional therapies to treat patients infected with the organism.

This Special Issue of Toxins will focus on recent advances in the etiology of Shiga toxins in order to consider the unexplored mechanisms of toxin-mediated pathogenesis, current therapeutic applications, or the STEC genetics contributing to its pathogenicity.

Prof. Dr. Moo-Seung Lee
Guest Editor

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• Shiga toxins
• Shiga toxin-producing Shigella species
• Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Shiga toxin-mediated pathogenesis
• cancer therapeutics
• toxin engineering