Staphylococcal enterotoxin B enhances a flare-up reaction of murine contact hypersensitivity through up-regulation of interferon-gamma.
BACKGROUND
We often see aggravation of eczematous skin lesions associated with bacterial infection, but the mechanism of this phenomenon is unclear. Staphylococcus aureus is known to colonize on the eczematous lesion and produce some exotoxins, which act as bacterial superantigens.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential role of superantigens in chronic dermatitis, we investigated the effect of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) on the skin reaction, the proliferative response and the cytokine production of local lymph node cells in the mouse model of contact hypersensitivity reaction.


METHODS
Sensitized BALB/c mice were repeatedly challenged with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), and intravenously injected with SEB and dinitrobenzne sulfonic acid sodium salt (DNBS). The ear swelling response was measured after DNBS injection. Cervical lymph node cells of those mice were cultured with DNBS in vitro. Their proliferative responses and the production of cytokines were assessed.


RESULTS
SEB markedly enhanced the flare-up reaction of ear swelling induced by DNBS, the proliferative response of lymph node cells and the production of IFN-gamma. In contrast, the production of IL-5 was decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study may provide some clues for elucidating the mechanism involved in the exacerbation of dermatitis associated with staphylococcal infection.
Miyata
Akiko
A
Department of Dermatology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan. miyamix@hyo-med.ac.jp
Natsuaki
Masaru
M
Yamanishi
Kiyofumi
K
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004431:Ear, External; D004487:Edema / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000378:metabolism; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
D004768:Enterotoxins; D015848:Interleukin-5; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene