Staphylococcal enterotoxin-dependent lysis of MHC class II negative target cells by cytolytic T lymphocytes.
The enterotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus (SE) are extremely potent activators of human and mouse T lymphocytes. In general, T cell responses to SE are MHC class II dependent (presumably reflecting the ability of SE to bind directly to MHC class II molecules) and restricted to responding cells expressing certain T cell receptor beta-chain variable (TCR V beta) domains. Recently we demonstrated that CD8+ CTL expressing appropriate TCR V beta could recognize SE presented on MHC class II-bearing target cells. We now show that MHC class II expression is not strictly required for T cell recognition of SE. Both human and mouse MHC class II negative target cells could be recognized (i.e., lysed) in a SE-dependent fashion by CD8+ mouse CTL clones and polyclonal populations, provided that the CTL expressed appropriate TCR V beta elements. SE-dependent lysis of MHC class II negative targets by CTL was inhibited by mAb directed against CD3 or LFA-1, suggesting that SE recognition was TCR and cell contact dependent. Furthermore, different SE were recognized preferentially by CTL on MHC class II+ vs MHC class II- targets. Taken together, our data raise the possibility that SE binding structures distinct from MHC class II molecules may exist.
Herrmann
T
T
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Epalinges, Switzerland.
Romero
P
P
Sartoris
S
S
Paiola
F
F
Accolla
R S
RS
Maryanski
J L
JL
MacDonald
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D012515:Mast-Cell Sarcoma / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D004768:Enterotoxins; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal