Clonal deletion as direct consequence of an in vivo T cell response to bacterial superantigen.
To date clonal deletion of peripheral mature T cells is restricted to in vivo model systems characterized by prolonged exposure of mice to antigens and clonal T cell expansion preceding clonal deletion. Here we describe that upon challenge of mice with the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B two immediate events become imposed on ligand-reactive V beta 8+ T cells in lymph node cells draining the local site of injection. First, and within hours V beta selective clonal deletion is initiated via an apoptotic process. Second, the remaining V beta 8+ T cells first develop a profound state of ligand-specific unresponsiveness and subsequently initiate clonal in vivo growth. It is suggested that the dichotomy of events observed reflects a direct consequence of T cell receptor occupancy in the context of inappropriate signalling.
Wahl
C
C
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, FRG.
Miethke
T
T
Heeg
K
K
Wagner
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000502:physiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004768:Enterotoxins; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal