University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Exotoxins are protein molecules that are made by bacteria and released outside the bacteria and into the host to target host processes and/or structures. Some gram-negative pathogens produce exotoxins, but the majority are made by **gram-positive** pathogens.

Exotoxins

Exotoxins can be grouped into three categories based on their target:
- Intracellular targeting
- Membrane disrupting
- Superantigens

The Three Classes of Exotoxins

Exotoxins differ from endotoxin in several key characteristics. In contrast to endotoxin, which stimulates a general systemic inflammatory response when released, exotoxins are much more specific in their action and the cell components that they target.

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