Gene expression profile at the single-cell level of Shiga toxin 2+ white cells in the blood

To exert its cytotoxic effect on renal cells, Stx must be delivered from infected intestines to the kidney as the passive toxin dissemination has been excluded. The mechanism underlying Stx delivery, however, remains unclear.

Here we pinpoint monocytes as the primary carriers responsible for transporting Stx2 to the renal region. Through single-cell sequencing analysis of peripheral white blood cells that have bound to Stx2 and have been sorted by flow cytometry, we observe that nearly all monocytes exhibit binding to Stx2, whereas less than 10% of neutrophils are associated with Stx2, albeit with a lower affinity.