Ca(2+)-independent cytotoxicity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) on Intestine 407, a cell line derived from human embryonic intestine.

The effects of Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysis on Intestine 407, a cell line derived from the intestine of human embryos, were investigated. The hemolysin was shown to be cytotoxic to Intestine 407. This cytotoxicity is accompanied by the damage of plasma membrane and lysosomes, as well as cellular degeneration in the form of large transparent blebs. Although an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ due t the influx of extracellular Ca2+ was observed in cells treated with thermostable direct hemolysin, it was found to be irrelevant to any of the above effects. These results suggest that the effects of thermostable direct hemolysin observed in this study on Intestine 407 are not mediated by Ca(2+)-dependent pathways.