Pathogenesis of shigella diarrhea: evidence for a developmentally regulated glycolipid receptor for shigella toxin involved in the fluid secretory response of rabbit small intestine.

Shigella toxin reproduces the major manifestations of shigellosis in ligated intestinal loops from adult rabbits and binds to a microvillus membrane (MVM) glycolipid receptor, globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Because neonatal human shigellosis is uncommon, we used the animal model for obtaining MVMs from rabbits of different ages to determine the presence of toxin receptors and Gb3 and to measure the fluid secretory response to toxin in ligated ileal loops. A single class of MVM receptors for 125I-labeled shigella toxin, first detected at 20 d of age, reached adult levels by 24 d (n = 1.7-23.8 X 10(10)/micrograms of protein; K = 1.1-3.8 X 10(9) M-1). Binding was specific for toxin subunit B. A toxin binding MVM glycolipid, identified as Gb3, was detected in animals greater than or equal to 16 d of age by high-performance thin-layer chromatography and autoradiography. Fluid secretion in response to shigella toxin in ligated small bowel loops occurred in temporal relation to the appearance of Gb3, a result thus indicating the involvement of Gb3 in mediating the toxin effects.