Induction of apoptosis in Vero cells by Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria vacuolating cytotoxic factor.

Recently, a cytotoxin named vacuolating cytotoxic factor (VCF) in Aeromonas sobria and Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria was described. We have now purified this factor using ion metallic affinity chromatography. The VCF is a nonhemolytic enterotoxin that acts as a serine protease.

Morphological and intracellular alterations induced by Serratia marcescens cytotoxin.

In the present work, in vitro assays were used to investigate the toxicity of Serratia marcescens cytotoxin in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The time necessary to detect cellular alterations such as the onset of apoptosis, the perturbation of mitochondrial function, and cytoskeletal changes was assessed. The internalization of the cytotoxin by CHO cells was also examined.