Staphylococcal superantigens as inducers of signal transduction in MHC class II-positive cells.
Staphylococcal superantigens (SEs and TSST-1) interact with and potentially activate two of the main subsets of the immune system: T lymphocytes and MHC class II-positive cells. Since the interaction of SEs and TSST-1 with MHC class II molecules is the first step in triggering immune cells activation, a detailed understanding of the nature of this interaction is essential for understanding its effect on the immune system and for designing therapeutic strategies for SEs and TSST-1-mediated injury. A series of events is induced in MHC class II-positive cells (B cells, activated T cells, monocytes, and synoviocytes) upon engagement with superantigens. Some of these events require monomeric forms of superantigens, whereas others are critically dependent on cross-linking of toxin-bound MHC class II molecules by a biochemical agent (biotin-avidin) or a natural physiological one such as the TCR. The ability of superantigens to induce polyclonal activation of MHC class II-positive cells may confer to the superantigen its capacity to trigger autoimmune diseases.
Mourad
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W
Centre de Recherche en inflammation, Immunologie et Rheumatologie, CHUL, Quebec, Canada.
al-Daccak
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R
Chatila
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T
Geha
R S
RS
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004768:Enterotoxins; D006681:HLA-D Antigens