Sclareol ProtectsStaphylococcus aureus-Induced Lung Cell Injury via Inhibiting Alpha-Hemolysin Expression.
Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) is a common gram-positive bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and animals. With the continuous emergence of methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) strains, antibiotics have limited efficacy in treating MRSA infections. Accordingly, novel agents that act on new targets are desperately needed to combat these infections.S. aureusalpha-hemolysin plays an indispensable role in its pathogenicity. In this study, we demonstrate that sclareol, a fragrant chemical compound found in clary sage, can prominently decrease alpha-hemolysin secretion inS. aureusstrain USA300 at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Hemolysis assays, western-blotting, and RT-PCR were used to detect the production of alpha-hemolysin in the culture supernatant. When USA300 was co-cultured with A549 epithelial cells, sclareol could protect the A549 cells at a final concentration of 8 μg/ml. The protective capability of sclareol against the USA300-mediated injury of A549 cells was further shown by cytotoxicity assays and live/dead analysis. In conclusion, sclareol was shown to inhibit the production ofS. aureusalpha-hemolysin. Sclareol has potential for development as a new agent to treatS. aureusinfections.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Ouyang
O
Ping
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Sun
S
Mao
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
He
H
Xuewen
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Wang
W
Kaiyu
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Yin
Y
Zhongqiong
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Fu
F
Hualin
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Li
L
Yinglun
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Geng
G
Yi
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Shu
S
Gang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
He
H
Changliang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Liang
L
Xiaoxia
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Lai
L
Weiming
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Li
L
Lixia
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Zou
Z
Yuanfeng
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Song
S
Xu
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agriculture University, Chengdu 611130, P.R. China.
Yin
Y
Lizi
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; alpha-hemolysin; sclareol; virulence factor