Authors: Mahtab Moayeri, Devorah Crown, David W. Dorward, Don Gardner, Jerrold M. Ward, Yan Li, Xizhong Cui, Peter Eichacker, Stephen H. Leppla
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000456
Abstract Summary
Anthrax lethal toxin rapidly damages the heart in mice, causing endothelial necrosis, edema, and mitochondrial degeneration within hours. Mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) show dramatically increased sensitivity to the toxin, while pharmacological nNOS inhibition replicates this vulnerability. Cardiac injury biomarkers reach extreme levels by 6 hours post-exposure, and heart function declines significantly.
Why Brain? ðŸ§
Anthrax toxin rapidly damages heart tissue in mice, with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) providing protection. Cardiac injury markers spike within 6 hours, revealing the heart as a primary toxin target.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
