Helper T cell-dependent human B cell differentiation mediated by a mycoplasmal superantigen bridge.
Experimentally induced murine graft-vs.-host disease may be characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibody formation, and immune complex-mediated organ system damage that mimics SLE. These autoimmune phenomena are mediated by abnormal Th-B cell cooperation, across MHC disparities, in which donor-derived allospecific Th cells recognize and interact with MHC class II antigens on the surface of recipient B cells. Microbial toxins, termed superantigens, which bind to MHC class II molecules and activate selected T cells based on TCR variable gene usage, may induce a similar form of Th-B cell interaction. In the present study, we generated and characterized human Th cell lines reactive with the Mycoplasma arthritidis superantigen (MAM). The essential observation is that resting human B cells bind MAM and present it to superantigen-reactive autologous or allogeneic Th cells, resulting in both Th cell activation and a consequent polyclonal Ig response by the superantigen-bearing B cells.
Tumang
J R
JR
Department of Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021.
Posnett
D N
DN
Cole
B C
BC
Crow
M K
MK
Friedman
S M
SM
D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000276:immunology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000276:immunology; D011506:Proteins; D018089:Superantigens; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D008934:Mitogens; C052996:Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D011506:Proteins; D018089:Superantigens