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Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin is a superantigen reactive with human T cell receptors V beta 6.9 and V beta 22
P Bowness1, P A Moss, H Tranter
1Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Abstract:
Candidate superantigens were screened for their ability to induce lysis of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen class II-positive targets by human CD8+ influenza-specific cytotoxic T cell (CTL) lines. Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPET) induced major histocompatibility complex unrestricted killing by some but not all CTL lines. Using "anchored" polymerase chain reactions, CPET was shown to selectively stimulate peripheral blood lymphocytes bearing T cell receptor V beta 6.9 and V beta 22 in five healthy donors. V beta 24, V beta 21, V beta 18, V beta 5, and V beta 6.1-5 appeared to be weakly stimulated. Antigen processing was not required for CPET to induce proliferation. Like the staphylococcal enterotoxins, CPET is a major cause of food poisoning. These data suggest that superantigenic and enterotoxigenic properties may be closely linked.
Insights
Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPET) can trigger T cells to kill targets without typical antigen processing. This superantigenic activity, similar to staphylococcal enterotoxins, suggests a link between food poisoning and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Superantigens are potent immune activators with implications in disease.
- Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPET) is a known foodborne pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the T cell-mediated cytotoxic activity of CPET.
- To identify T cell receptor (TCR) usage associated with CPET stimulation.
- To explore the relationship between superantigenic and enterotoxigenic properties of CPET.
Main Methods:
- Screening of candidate superantigens for T cell lysis induction.
- Utilizing "anchored" polymerase chain reactions to analyze T cell receptor V beta gene expression.
- Assessing T cell proliferation in response to CPET without antigen processing.
Main Results:
- CPET induced major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted killing by CD8+ cytotoxic T cell (CTL) lines.
- CPET selectively stimulated T cells expressing specific T cell receptor V beta 6.9 and V beta 22.
- Antigen processing was not necessary for CPET-induced T cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- CPET exhibits superantigenic properties, inducing T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and proliferation.
- The study identifies specific T cell receptor usage associated with CPET stimulation.
- These findings suggest a strong link between the superantigenic and enterotoxigenic functions of CPET.