Distinct T-cell receptor V beta gene usage by human T lymphocytes stimulated with the streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins and pep M5 protein.
A number of streptococcal products, including the streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) types A, B, and C as well as a 22-kDa fragment of M type 5 protein (pep M5), are potent stimulants of human T-lymphocyte blastogenesis and belong to the newly designated family of superantigens. The V beta usage of human T cells stimulated with these toxins was investigated by using the polymerase chain reaction. We demonstrate that SPE A, B, and C as well as pep M5 stimulate the proliferation of T cells in a dose-dependent manner. pep M5 stimulates cells bearing V beta 2, 4, and 8 elements of the T-cell receptor (TCR), whereas SPE A stimulates TCR V beta 2-, 12-, 14-, and 15-bearing cells. SPE B stimulated only cells expressing TCR V beta 8 elements, while SPE C stimulated cells expressing V beta 1, 2, 5.1, and 10. These studies reveal that the preferential usage of particular V beta elements is distinct for these different superantigens, which may be important in the pathogenesis of various streptococcal diseases.
Tomai
M A
MA
Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38104.
Schlievert
P M
PM
Kotb
M
M
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011749:Pyrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005098:Exotoxins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011749:Pyrogens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; C117980:SpeA protein, Streptococcus pyogenes; C027951:erythrogenic toxin; C014689:streptococcal M protein