Immunomodulation in vivo by the Mycoplasma arthritidis superantigen, MAM.
Mycoplasma arthritidis produces a potent superantigen (MAM) that activates specific murine and human T lymphocytes to proliferate and secrete lymphokines. We show here that MAM also influences both T- and B-cell functions in vivo. Lymphocytes from mice injected with MAM exhibit a suppression of proliferative responses to MAM in vitro but only a partial suppression of responses to other mitogens. This T-cell anergy not only decreased contact sensitivity to dinitrofluorobenzene but also prolonged survival of skin transplants. In contrast, B-cell reactivity is increased following in vivo injection of MAM, as evidenced by enhanced antibody responses to sheep red blood cells and ovalbumin. Also, there is a marked decrease in the ability of splenocytes from MAM-injected mice to produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) but a marked increase in their ability to produce IL-4 and IL-6. The combined results suggest that MAM induces a lymphokine profile that favors activation of B-cell functions, with a resulting potential for triggering of autoimmune disease.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
B C
BC
Cole
E
E
Ahmed
B A
BA
Araneo
J
J
Shelby
C
C
Kamerath
S
S
Wei
S
S
McCall
C L
CL
Atkin
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008934:Mitogens / Q000276:immunology*; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000276:immunology*; D011506:Proteins; D018089:Superantigens; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D008222:Lymphokines; D008934:Mitogens; C052996:Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen; D011506:Proteins; D018089:Superantigens