Staphylococcal superantigens interact with multiple host receptors to cause serious diseases.
Staphylococcus aureus strains that cause human diseases produce a large family of pyrogenic toxin superantigens (SAgs). These include toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), the staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), and the SE-like proteins; to date, 23 staphylococcal SAgs have been described. Among the SAgs, three have been highly associated with human diseases (TSST-1, SEB, and SEC), likely because they are produced in high concentrations compared to other SAgs. Another major family of exotoxins produced by S. aureus is the cytolysins, particularly α-, β-, γ-, and δ-toxins, phenol soluble modulins, and leukocidins. This review discusses the association of SAgs with human diseases and particularly the "outside-in" signaling mechanism that leads to SAg-associated diseases. We discuss SAg interactions with three host immune cell receptors, including variable regions of the β-chain of the T cell receptor, MHC II α- and/or β-chains, and an epithelial/endothelial cell receptor that may include CD40. To a lesser extent, we discuss the role of cytolysins in facilitating disease production by SAgs.
Department of Microbiology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Christopher S
CS
Stach
Alfa
A
Herrera
Patrick M
PM
Schlievert
D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011173:Portraits as Topic; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D005098:Exotoxins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens