Multiple virulence factors are required for Staphylococcus aureus-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells.

Staphylococcus aureus infections can result in sepsis and septic shock associated with vascular damage and multiple organ failure. Apoptosis appears to play a key role during sepsis, and the ability of S. aureus to induce apoptosis in endothelial cells might contribute to metastatic infection.

Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin induces apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: role of endogenous tumour necrosis factor-alpha and the mitochondrial death pathway.

Staphylococcus aureus infections can result in septic and toxic shock with depletion of immune cells and massive cytokine production. Recently, we showed that, in S. aureus-infected Jurkat T cells, alpha-toxin is the major mediator of caspase activation and apoptosis.