title: T helper cell-dependent, microbial superantigen-mediated B cell activation in vivo.
abstract: We have utilized a severe combined immune-deficient (SCID) mouse adoptive transfer model to explore the in vivo immunostimulatory effects of bacterial superantigens (SAg). B cell reconstituted SCID recipients were treated with the Staphylococcus aureus-derived toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) alone or in conjunction with syngeneic L3T4+ TSST-1-reactive Th cells. Over several months of study, the repetitive administration of TSST-1 resulted in a prompt, transient increase in serum IgG levels. This response required both biologically active TSST-1 and Th cells. These findings demonstrate that certain bacterial SAgs can promote Th cell-dependent B cell activation and differentiation in vivo. These studies strengthen the analogy between SAg-mediated and allospecific Th-B cell interactions responsible for the autoimmune sequelae of graft-versus-host disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital For Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tumang
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gietl
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Elkon
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010641:Phenotype; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D018089:Superantigens