Superantigens and nasal polyps.
Nasal polyps represent an often severe T-cell-orchestrated eosinophilic upper airway disease with currently unknown pathogenesis, often associated with lower airway disease, such as asthma. Superantigens, predominantly derived from Staphylococcus aureus, are potent activators of T cells, induce the synthesis of IgE in B cells, and have direct effects on pro-inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils. IgE antibodies to S. aureus enterotoxins have been described in polyp tissue, linked to a local polyclonal IgE production and an aggravation of eosinophilic inflammation. Furthermore, such IgE antibodies have also been described in the sera of patients with asthma, and linked to severity of disease and steroid insensitivity. This review summarizes our current understanding of the possible role of S. aureus enterotoxins in chronic severe airway disease, such as nasal polyposis.
Bachert
Claus
C
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. claus.bachert@ugent.be
van Zele
Thibaut
T
Gevaert
Philippe
P
De Schrijver
Lore
L
Van Cauwenberge
Paul
P
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018089:Superantigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E