title: Induction of human interleukin-1 by toxic-shock-syndrome toxin-1.
abstract: Strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) make a characteristic protein known as toxic-shock-syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), but the role of this protein in the pathogenesis of TSS is not certain. We have purified TSST-1 by using a combination of alcohol precipitation, isoelectric focusing, and gel chromatography. TSST-1 has an isoelectric point of 7.2 and a molecular weight of 23,100, in accordance with previously published determinations for this protein, and is serologically identical to pyrogenic exotoxin C and staphylococcal enterotoxin F. In highly purified form, TSST-1 is a potent inducer of interleukin-1 production by human monocytes, as quantitated in a thymocyte-proliferation assay. This capability is not attributable to contamination by other staphylococcal products or gram-negative endotoxin and can be blocked by hydrocortisone. Many features of TSS suggest that induction of interleukin-1 by TSST-1 in vivo may play a central role in the elaboration of this disease.
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001681:Biological Assay; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism*; D018089:Superantigens; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D007213:Indomethacin