Binding of staphylococcal enterotoxin A to accessory cells is a requirement for its ability to activate human T cells.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) activates human T cells at extremely low concentrations corresponding to 1 to 5 molecules/T cell. SEA, in contrast to other polyclonal activators, is absolutely dependent on accessory cells to interact with and activate T cells. Only cells that can bind SEA can act as accessory cells. Monocytes, B cells, and B lymphomas have these properties. Cells of the EBV-transformed B lymphoma Raji are particularly efficient as accessory cells. T cells do not bind soluble SEA. Probably the SEA molecule has to be attached to the accessory cell to become mitogenic. It is presently not known whether the T cell recognizes a molecular complex between the SEA molecule and the putative receptor moiety on the accessory cell or the SEA molecule itself modified by its binding to the accessory cell.
Carlsson
R
R
Department of Tumour Immunology, University of Lund, Sweden.
Fischer
H
H
Sjögren
H O
HO
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D004768:Enterotoxins; D037102:Lectins; C026066:enterotoxin A, Staphylococcal