"The research showed that S. aureus bacteria secrete two kinds of compounds that communicate with sensory neurons, inducing pain:
- N-formyl peptides: Pain neurons carry receptors to detect these peptides, known as FPR1 receptors, the team demonstrated. When mice are unable to make these receptors, they show a reduced pain response.
- Pore-forming toxins: These proteins, also secreted by other virulent bacteria, dock on the sensory nerve terminals and create large pores that let ions into the cells—triggering them to fire off pain messages. A pore-forming toxin known as alpha toxin is known to help S. aureus spread in the skin and lungs."
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