Pyrogenic, lethal, and emetic properties of superantigens in rabbits and primates

John K McCormick; Gregory A Bohach; Patrick M Schlievert

doi:10.1385/1-59259-367-4:245

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Journal article

Pyrogenic, lethal, and emetic properties of superantigens in rabbits and primates

John K McCormick, Gregory A Bohach and Patrick M Schlievert

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), Vol.214, pp.245-253

2003

DOI: 10.1385/1-59259-367-4:245

PMID: 12489465

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Abstract

Superantigens (SAgs) stimulate large fractions of T cells by circumventing normal antigen presentation through binding both class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells, and specific variable regions on the β-chain (Vβ) of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) (1,2). The bacterial SAgs produced from coagulase positive staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus) and group A streptococci (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) belong to the large and expanding family of pyrogenic toxins, and various members of this group of SAgs have a clear involvement in the toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Through SAg-mediated stimulation, Tlymphocytes are activated at several orders of magnitude above antigen-specific activation, resulting in the extensive release of cytokines that are believed to be responsible for the most severe features of TSS. SAgs from S. aureus include toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), multiple staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) serotypes (A through P, excluding F), while SAgs from S. pyogenes include streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) serotypes (A, C, G, H, I, J) as well as streptococcal superantigen (SSA) and multiple streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z (SMEZ) variants (3-5). The toxins within this class of SAgs that have been tested are all pyrogenic, and all are likely to be capable to induce TSS in susceptible hosts if supplied in sufficient quantity.

Superantigens - toxicity

Rabbits

Shock, Septic - pathology

Shock, Septic - chemically induced

Body Temperature - drug effects

Superantigens - immunology

Vomiting - chemically induced

Animals

Emetics - pharmacology

Primates

Pyrogens - pharmacology

Superantigens - pharmacology

Emetics - toxicity

Pyrogens - toxicity

Disease Models, Animal

Details

Title: Subtitle: Pyrogenic, lethal, and emetic properties of superantigens in rabbits and primates
Creators: John K McCormick - Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
Gregory A Bohach
Patrick M Schlievert
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), Vol.214, pp.245-253
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1385/1-59259-367-4:245
PMID: 12489465
ISSN: 1064-3745
eISSN: 1940-6029
Grant note: HL36611 / NHLBI NIH HHS AI22159 / NIAID NIH HHS P20RR15587 / NCRR NIH HHS R01AI28401 / NIAID NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 2003
Academic Unit: Microbiology and Immunology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984002389602771

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